Kissing spines: Diagnosis and treatments

Summary

# Kissing Spines: Diagnosis and Treatments Overriding dorsal spinous processes—commonly referred to as kissing spines—represent a significant source of back pain and poor performance in ridden horses, yet diagnosis has historically been challenging and treatment options remain debated within the equine profession. Jacklin's work synthesises current diagnostic approaches, including radiographic and ultrasound assessment alongside clinical examination findings, to establish clearer protocols for identifying affected horses. The paper demonstrates that whilst some horses with radiographic evidence of process contact remain asymptomatic, those presenting with characteristic clinical signs—including poor performance, reluctance to engage the hindquarters, and resistance to flexion—warrant investigation and targeted intervention. Treatment options discussed range from farriery adjustments and physiotherapy to corticosteroid therapy and surgical intervention (notably interspinous ligament desmotomy), with outcomes varying according to severity and the individual horse's conformational factors. Understanding the multifactorial nature of kissing spines and the distinction between incidental radiographic findings and clinically significant disease is essential for practitioners developing realistic rehabilitation expectations and advising clients on prognosis.

Read the full abstract on the publisher's site

Key Findings

• •Review discusses diagnosis and treatment approaches for kissing spines condition in horses
• •Part one of two-part series covering latest developments in equine spinal pathology

Conditions Studied