What causes kissing spine?

What causes kissing spine?

Thoroughbreds and performance horses are the most commonly diagnosed cases. Kissing spines are likely acquired. They can be the result of a variety of factors, including poor saddle fit and improper training that allows the horse to carry itself with its head up, back hollow, and not engaging the muscles in its core.

What is L1 on the spine?

The L1 vertebra is the topmost section of the lumbar spinal column. This section of the spine contains a portion of the spinal cord. Injuries to the L1 spine can affect hip flexion, cause paraplegia, loss of bowel/bladder control, and/or numbness in the legs.

Can horses recover from kissing spine?

Prognosis. Most horses diagnosed with kissing spine are able to return to ridden work after appropriate veterinary treatment and a recommended rehab programme is completed. In some cases they may be unable to return to the same level of work as before, but are comfortable when working at a lower level.

What nerves are affected by L1?

A limited description of the specific lumbar spinal nerves includes: L1 innervates the abdominal internal obliques via the ilioinguinal nerve; L2-4 innervates iliopsoas, a hip flexor, and other muscles via the femoral nerve; L2-4 innervates adductor longus, a hip adductor, and other muscles via the obturator nerve; L5 …

How much does it cost to fix kissing spine in horses?

Mostly due to the general anesthesia involved, the cost of this surgery is higher – around $2,500-$3,000, generally. And due to the level of invasiveness, the horse may take several weeks longer to recover once home.

How do you fix a horse’s kissing spine?

Horses with kissing spines can be treated with shock wave therapy, injections of corticosteroids over the withers, back, and croup to reduce inflammation, and specific exercise programs. Changing or refitting saddles is helpful for many horses.

How do you rehab a kissing spine?

Quite simply a small circle around a cone or block in walk, with long reins and lots of inside bend. This stretches the outside of the body and helps the horse to let go of his lateral back tension. Don’t insist, encourage. Relax, wait and repeat until his head drops and he bends more freely and regularly.

What is the L1 vertebra called?

The L1 vertebra (1st lumbar vertebra) is the smallest and most superior of the lumbar vertebrae. As the first vertebra in the lumbar region, the L1 vertebra bears the weight of the upper body and acts as a transition between the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae.

What is the difference between L2 and lumbar vertebrae?

It is also important to understand that the lumbar vertebrae are much different than the upper segments of the spine because the spinal cord does not extend the entire length of the lumbar spine. L2 is the lowest vertebral segment that contains spinal cord tissue.

How many vertebrae are in the lumbar series?

The movable vertebrae are divided into three regions: cervical, thoracic, and lumbar. There are five lumbar vertebrae, although occasionally some people have six. The first lumbar spinal vertebra (L1) is the first of this series. The lumbar vertebrae are the largest movable bones of the backbone.

What is the major load bearing structure of the lumbar spine?

The major load-bearing structure of the lumbar spine is the vertebral body, situated in front. The lumbar vertebral bodies have the following features 1,2: L1 and L2 have a smaller height in front compared to the back L3 has an equal height in the front and at the back