Who to Listen to When Your Horse Has Kissing Spine

In case you missed it, my Thoroughbred Knight was recently diagnosed with severe/significant kissing spine (I am still not clear on which of the four categories/levels his case is). The Cliff’s Notes version is that I knew something was terribly wrong about two months ago when he gave me the nastiest look as I walked toward him with the saddle. If you want the play by play on that, click here to read The Worst Possible Kiss for Your Horse. Long story short, I have been in total research mode. I’ve spent hours reading online articles, watching videos, poring over comments in Facebook groups related to Kissing Spine, reaching out to myriad horse people who have experience with it. I want to learn everything I can.

The view I really miss.

You’re probably not going to be surprised to discover that I’ve heard some conflicting things! Here are some of the voices–comments from friends, strangers and professionals.

My friend’s horse had kissing spine and she had to retire it at age six.

My friend’s horse has kissing spines and she competes it at the 2* level eventing.

Your horse might be good for walk/trot only. I would not circle him, nor back him up.

I’ve heard that horses with kissing spine never come back from it.

My horse had surgery (the more invasive one) and has never been better. 

I’ve worked with horses with kissing spine and it can be fixed without surgery.

I have treated kissing spine and with a horse like this I’d give Tildren.

Horses with kissing spine should not be out of work (or they’ll lose muscle).

Some down time in a grass pasture will be really good for him.

Have you tried a little Bute? Why doesn’t anyone use Bute anymore?

With this condition, your horse is dangerous. Your safety is paramount.

You know your horse better than any veterinarian or any trainer. Listen to your gut.

Listen to your horse. He will tell you what he’s capable of.

I’ll admit, some days I’ve been really confused. But in the end, I’ve chosen to listen to my own voice–and Knight’s.

The day I found out about this diagnosis I said, “I’m a horse lover first and equestrian second.” By that, I mean I don’t have to ride every single day or be competing regularly to derive pleasure from my horse. My riding “career” is secondary to the health and well-being of my partner. I don’t yet know what the long-term future holds, but I am going to work with Knight and figure out his capabilities. The most important thing is to do right by my horse.

In the meantime, I will be traveling for several weeks in a row this summer and so while I’m on vacation, Knight is going to get a vacation. Out to a big grassy field, which is a really big deal for us horse folk in Southern California who don’t find that luxury too often for our steeds.

I have some ideas for what I can try with Knight, but for now my focus is on finishing the end of the school year strong and preparing to be away for an extended time. And it gives me great satisfaction to know that I don’t have to have it all figured out at this moment. And while the new plan evolves, Knight will be in the middle of a green pasture, head down chomping on fresh grass. Things could be worse.

Thank you for reading!

Question: Have you ever received an abundance of advice–some of it conflicting–on a health matter or training issue with your horse? How did you discern which voice or voices to listen to? (And if you have experience with a horse with kissing spine, please comment on that too.)

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