Long‐term effects of treatment and management approaches for impinging dorsal spinous processes in ridden horses
Authors: Brassington R., Hardy R., Bye T.
Journal: Equine Veterinary Education
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Long-term Outcomes in Impinging Dorsal Spinous Process Treatment Impinging dorsal spinous processes represent a significant performance-limiting condition in ridden horses, yet optimal management remains contested between surgical and conservative approaches. Brassington and colleagues conducted a cross-sectional owner survey of 260 horses diagnosed with IDSP, collecting data via online questionnaire regarding treatment type and subsequent return to pre-diagnosis performance level. Approximately 50% of horses achieved their previous performance standard post-treatment; however, this outcome was substantially influenced by intervention choice—surgical management doubled the odds of successful return, whilst structured exercise rehabilitation programmes increased these odds tenfold. The data suggest that combining surgical intervention with formalised rehabilitation represents the most evidence-supported pathway for horses intended to resume competitive work, though the survey methodology (relying on owner recall and self-selection bias) warrants cautious interpretation. For practitioners managing IDSP cases where performance restoration is the primary goal, advocating for surgical correction paired with systematic exercise rehabilitation appears justified by these findings, though individual case factors and owner compliance with rehabilitation protocols will remain critical determinants of outcome.
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Practical Takeaways
- •If return to competition is the goal, surgical intervention combined with structured exercise rehabilitation offers the best outcome (approximately 50% success rate)
- •Exercise rehabilitation programmes appear critical to success—horses receiving these had markedly better outcomes regardless of surgical choice
- •Conservative management alone has limited success; consider surgery if the horse needs to return to work
Key Findings
- •Just under 50% of horses with IDSP returned to previous performance level post-treatment
- •Surgically treated horses had twice the odds of returning to previous performance compared to non-surgical treatment
- •Horses undergoing exercise rehabilitation programmes had 10 times the odds of returning to previous performance level