4. Kissing Spine in Horses – Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

Kissing spine is a skeletal abnormality in horses in which bony growths on the vertebrae of the spine touch or “kiss”. These bony outgrowths are called dorsal spinous processes . This condition is caused by multiple factors, including conformation issues , genetic predispositions, poor posture, improper conditioning , and training under saddle at a very young age. Horses with a kissing spine do not always develop symptoms, but many horses with this condition experience back pain . Afflicted horses may exhibit extreme back tightness, bucking, pain on palpation and an inability to stretch and raise the back while under saddle. Learn more about kissing spine causes, symptoms, and treatment at https://madbarn.com/kissing-spine-in-horses/ . _______________________________ Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at https://madbarn.com for more resources, videos and articles.