Kissing Spines Recovery: How an EQ Saddle can help
A Kissing Spines (KS) diagnosis may not be career-ending. Thanks to advancements in veterinary imaging, we can identify cases earlier and help many horses return to a high level of performance. However, the success of any rehab program relies heavily on a single, critical factor: the fit of the saddle. Whether you’re considering a saddle purchase for long term management of a kissing spines horse, or would like to consider a monthly “Rehab Rental”, EQ can help!
What are “kissing” spines? The dorsal spinous processes are the vertical bony projections on top of each vetebra, which, in turn, are on top of each rib [BONUS FACT: at least until T18; the spinous processes behind T18 are unsupported, and the last two sets of ribs are floating; this is why saddles cannot put weight any farther back than this point]. In a healthy back, these bones, which look something like stubby fingers, are separated.
Here, the spinous processes at and behind the base of the wither are impinged, or “kissing”.
In the case of KS, the processes may touch…or even overlap…which is generally extremely painful for the horse. To protect the area, a horse may keep the long Longissimus dorsi back muscle tensed, or in state of contraction. This defensive bracing prevents the horse from engaging its core, or rounding the topline. Over time, the lack of healthy movement in the back leads to muscle atrophy, leaving the spine even more vulnerable to the weight of a rider.
Treating KS requires both a great saddle fit and a rehabilitation protocol designed to reverse any damage to the muscles as well as the bones. Once your veterinarian clears your horse to return to ridden work, the saddle will be the most important piece of therapeutic equipment you use. If the saddle causes discomfort, the horse will return to its defensive hollowed posture, which in turn will undo your rehab efforts.
EQ is extraordinarily effective in helping KS horses recover because an EQ saddle is capable of distributing the rider’s weight over the maximal surface area possible without encroaching on the spine or the hollows that may have been created by muscle atrophy. Our extremely generous panels are also perfectly flat, fitting over the hollows, never pressing into them. And our gullet can be widened in the front or in the rear (or both) independently.
Before we can help you through saddle fit, we need to understand exactly which vertebrae in your horse’s back are compromised. Your veterinarian can provide that detailed information, along with any other recommendations for weight-bearing that we might need to know. We will not only set up your EQ saddle with an extremely generous gullet, but will tailor the width to the area where it’s most needed, based on your precise diagnosis.
Symmetry matters a great deal in the recovery process. If your saddle slides to one side - whether due to horse asymmetry or rider imbalance - the saddle will slide up near the spine on the opposite side. While this is uncomfortable for any horse, it is especially risky for a KS horse who may feel immediate pain when the saddle is too close to the spine. EQ’s “asymmetry work up” identifies and addresses sideways slip as well.
Our Rehab Rental program was designed to help compromised equines when they need it most: during the rehab process, when we are all hoping that they will be able to return to functional riding again. Whether KS or another issue, our saddles are recommended by veterinarians from coast to coast, and have been a key component of treatment for hundreds of successfully rehabbed horses. When you’re managing recovery, the rental program offers a way to provide your horse with a custom fit during the most critical phases of treatment without the immediate commitment of a new purchase.
While the road to recovery requires patience, outcomes can be remarkable. Many owners describe the change in their horses after finding the right saddle fit as a “miracle”. If you think we can help you, please reach out.
We wish you the very best on your journey with your horse, always.
Carmi