You can see the nice clear gaps between the ones at the front half of his back, to the left of the xray, then increasingly tight gaps as it gets further back. They were so tight she couldn't get the needle into them and had to put it close to the sides instead. On a proper viewer you can see where the bones are being damaged by rubbing together.
The medication should release the spinal processes to allow him to work pain free, and then we see how it goes. There are several other options still to use if this is not good enough, but I have heard good results from injecting the joints and I am hopeful.
So how do I feel? Great. I knew there was something wrong with him, I just didn't know what. If the xrays had been clear it would not have helped, it would just have meant we had more investigating to do. I can also feel good about the fact that it isn't my riding! He is in some pain and he is trying to work in spite of it. He really is a lovely boy, which is what I always thought.
In addition, it completely removes any question over what happens to him now. We don't send him off to anyone to see if they can "sort" him. We don't sell him and dump his problems on some other person, not to mention the effect that would have on him. I have a perfect set-up for him here. These horses should be kept moving, not stabled and never laid off if it can be helped. All of which is exactly how I keep him.
So at least for the next few weeks, he is pain free in the gut, pain free in his back, and it will be extremely interesting to see whether this has any impact on how spooky he finds the blue barrels. I am also planning to do a dressage test on him on Saturday 20th, which will be fascinating too.
He has tomorrow off, and then we start again knowing exactly what his issues are and with a plan of how to deal with them.
C
I've suspected this for awhile. It's supposed to be common in short backed horses. The heat really pointed. I have a joint/ligament disease that makes my spine hypermobile. Heat really helps the pain from bones grinding.
ReplyDeleteI cannot ride anymore, too dangerous. Today I am nursing a fractured hip I got from just walking.
I live on morphine.
I'm glad he's with you. Chronic pain is not fun, and you will understand and help him rather than simply have ignored the signs.
Styric I'm so sorry to hear about your issues, living in pain is no joke at all.
ReplyDeleteHopefully I will now be able to work out when Ace needs correction and when he needs to be cut some slack. If in doubt I shall err in his favour. So much for the dressage judge who snapped 'he needs a man on him' earlier this year, eh??
C
Just goes again to prove the point that the majority of training problems with horses are physical issues. From what I have read, his symptoms certainly do point to what you have found out. The good thing is that along with the injections, his being ridden correctly--as you have been--should help his back feel better. One of the articles I read even suggest his ulcers could be a symptom of the kissing spines, so you may have treated two issues with one.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to better and better rides to come. While it's not an ideal discovery, it certainly clears up a lot of questions. And yes, it does tell us he really is a good boy.
Yes, I did wonder if the two might be connected, Jean
ReplyDeleteSince it's now legal for me to buy omeprazole, I plan to keep him on a maintenance dose as a precaution.
C
Porr little chap but must a huge relief for you both to know what is happening. Agree with Jean - its almost always pain, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteWhat amazing fun you will have with him if you can sort this :-)
Big relief, yes. And the end of all the fretting over what to do about him and worry over whether I just wasn't a good enough rider for him.
ReplyDeleteIt may sound odd but I'm actually very happy tonight.
C,
Poor Ace, but lucky Ace in the end for being with you!
ReplyDeleteBlows my theory out of the water though, that a barefoot horse would be less likely to develop such problems . . .
Kissing spines seem to be an epidemic at the moment, but I wonder how much research into the subject has been undertaken?
How many horses have undiagnosed kissing spines?
Are horses born with kissing spines?
Do kissing spines develop after the weight of a rider is added into the equation, or after a fall/injury?
Can bad shoeing cause skeletal problems that lead to kissing spines?
I'm very curious . . .
The other Caroline
It's only fairly recently that they've had xrays strong enough to get the back, and since then they've realised that they are very common, but very variable in how much they affect the individual horse. They are also often confused with a reaction to ulcers, which the vet was careful to check with me first. I know that he had ulcers because it felt completely different from when his back hurts.
ReplyDeleteIt does beg the question whether the current deliberate breeding of horses with shorter backs is sensible, doesn't it??
C
oh what a shame, but at least it answers the questions in a logical fashion and hopefully can be resolved ....
ReplyDeleteThere are several more options Claire including two operations, one very minor to slice the ligaments apart. I think both ops are done standing with just sedation.
DeleteC
Isn't he a such a good boy to put up with pain in his gut and back and not loose the plot completely. I can understand how you are happier tonight, at least now you can devise a strategy that works for him.
ReplyDeleteA lot of horses would simply be unrideable, warmed up or not.
DeleteC
It's always better when you know the name of the beast
ReplyDeleteTotally agree!!
DeleteC
I agree with Styric, as I am sure everyone does. It so helps to know what the underlying problem is. Every decision you make will now be based on the knowledge that he has kissing spines.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to hear the report on your rides now that, hopefully, you have gotten to the cause of his pain.
An idea - can you adjust your saddle to accommodate his back?
ReplyDeleteI can widen the gullet, which is only sealed with Velcro. These WOWs are so adjustable!
ReplyDeleteC
Damn it, what a shame. I hope the injections provide some relief, sometimes they do....sometimes they don't.
ReplyDeleteHugs
The interspinous ligament desmotomy is easy and has a good result Tracey. I'd rather this than PSD or SI joint strain, both very poor prognosis.
DeleteC
Paddy who was here with me has just had the op - most places now do it standing - and as my vet said, why would anyone do it under GA if they can avoid it.
ReplyDeleteAs you probably saw on my blog, his x-rays showed severe ossification and damage to the spinous processes but apparently the op has gone well though he has only just started recovery from it.
I'll be having the ligament snips rather than the dsp removal, because they aren't badly damaged yet, so it'll be even easier Nic. I have already sent an email to the vet to ask how long we should wait.
ReplyDeleteC
Will follow his progress with interest and will let you know how Paddy gets on, too, as I get updates.
ReplyDeleteTa, that would be great.
DeleteC