SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!

Sidelines MagazineSidelines Magazine

  • LOGIN
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Subscriptions
    • Flipbook
    • Subscribe Options
    • Order Sidelines Caps
    • Order Individual & Back Issues
  • Podcast
  • Marketplace
    • Business Ads
    • Directories
      • Barns, Farms, Trainers & Clubs
      • Equestrian Services
      • Real Estate
      • Stallions
      • Tack & Feed Stores
    • Classifieds
    • Horse Trailers for Sale
  • Advertise
  • Blogs
    • Show World
    • What’s Happenin’
  • Partners
  • Contacts
    • Contacts
    • Employment
0
Monday, July 16 2018 / Published in General

Vet Talk with Dr. Richard Wheeler

Richard Wheeler, DVM, was born in the U.K. and graduated from the Royal Veterinary College, London, in 2002. Dr. Wheeler then completed a two-year internship at Greenwood, Ellis and Partners (now Newmarket Equine Hospital) in Newmarket. In 2005, he moved to Wellington, Florida, to join Palm Beach Equine Clinic and he became a partner in 2009. Dr. Wheeler’s primary concentration is equine sports medicine. He is an FEI Veterinary Delegate for show jumping and dressage and has authored several published articles on the topic of equine sports medicine. Dr. Wheeler has served on the board of the USHJA Horse and Rider Advocates Committee. In 2016, Dr. Wheeler became a founding director of the Sport Horse Research Foundation. Dr. Wheeler and his wife, Jessica, have two children. Do you have a question you want Dr. Wheeler to answer? Send questions to editor@sidelinesnews.com.

 

My 11-year-old OTTB is normally very kind-natured but recently became grouchy when I was putting the saddle on, pinning his ears. My vet has diagnosed him with kissing spines. We gave him some time off, weekly acupuncture treatments and have treated him with gabapentin. Talking with friends, I have heard many stories ranging from horses successfully competing with the condition to others that had to be retired. What surgical options are there and how successful are they?

As this is a surgical question, I referred to one of our board certified surgeons, Dr. Weston Davis, who has successfully performed many surgeries for kissing spines.

Kissing spines was once a disease that many horses were retired for, but that’s rarely the case anymore.

Kissing spines refers to an abnormal conformation in the back, whereby the dorsal spinous processes (the bony processes extending up from each vertebra) impinge or overlap with those from adjacent vertebrae. In humans, this is referred to as Baastrup’s disease. Pain in these cases may be caused by impingement and local inflammation, spasm of the epaxial muscles, spinal malalignment in more severe cases where the spinous processes actually overlap or a combination thereof. This condition most frequently occurs in the mid- to caudal thoracic region (just under or behind the saddle).

Diagnosis in these cases can be complicated, and appropriate care must be taken in the clinical work-up. It’s important to first note that there are many horses with radiographic changes consistent with kissing spine disease who are free from back pain and perform sporting activities at high levels. We often detect this abnormality in sound horses during pre-purchase screening.

History is a crucial part of the diagnosis. Owners often report behavioral changes in these horses with a generally poor attitude and tail swishy/ears back-type demonstrations of their discontent for brushing over the back, saddling and riding activities. Clinical horses may resent specific riding activities such as a seated trot. In certain sports, activities that cause hyperextension of the back may exacerbate signs resulting in behavior that could range from tail swishing to explosive bucking. Examples would be a jumper hyperextending the back on landing, or a barrel horse hyperextending the back while rounding the second half of a barrel in a tight turn.

Interspinous Ligament Desmotomy with scissors

Clinical examination in these cases almost always demonstrates marked sensitivity on palpation of the epaxial muscles of the back. Reaction to palpation directly over the dorsal spinous processes is variable. Depending on the severity of the disease, horses may have secondary wasting of the topline musculature (this results in worsening of the disease due to lack of muscular support and stabilization). Some horses have a concave appearance to the topline (sway-back); however, in most sport horses with one or two sites affected, outward conformation is generally normal. When lunged, affected horses often carry themselves rigidly through the back with their topline looking more like a board than a freely moving connection between the front and hind limbs. Ridden exam may be performed with activities to exacerbate the clinical signs, but care should be taken for the safety of the rider. In some cases that are consistently symptomatic, blocking can be very useful to support a diagnosis. Using a short-acting local anaesthetic (carbocaine), affected sites may be blocked with radiographic or ultrasound guidance. The horse is then returned to activity 10–15 minutes later. If this significantly reduces symptoms, the diagnosis is strongly supported.

Imaging in these cases is performed with digital radiography. With the improved quality of most machines, survey radiographs for kissing spines may be performed in the field. In some cases, scintigraphy (or bone scan) may be performed to determine how much bony reaction/turnover is noted at the impinging sites and to rule out other abnormalities of the spine. Ultrasound can also be useful to look at soft tissues and the articulations between the vertebrae.

Dorsal Spinous Process Ostectomy with single DSP removed

Once a confident diagnosis is made, most horses are treated conservatively at first. Perfect saddle fit should be confirmed. Carrot stretches are performed twice daily. Muscle relaxants such as methocarbamol are often administered for 10–14 days to reduce muscle spasm. Horses are trained to lunge in a Pessoa-type apparatus to encourage collection and strengthen the topline. A recent study has also shown merit for standing vibration techniques such as TheraPlate for increasing the mass of spinal stabilizing muscles. Local cortisone injections at the affected sites are often performed in more severe cases. In my case population, upwards of 90 percent of cases are manageable with conservative measures alone.

In horses that are refractory to conservative therapies, there are several surgical options with good success rates. The specific procedure recommended will vary depending on the case (severity of disease and the number of sites affected), but all procedures may be performed with the patient under standing sedation and a local block. Interspinous Ligament Desmotomy is the least invasive surgery type and involves making a small stab incision through the skin and simply cutting the ligament between two impinging vertebrae. Dorsal Spinous Process Osteplasty is a procedure performed in more severely affected horses whereby the bone of the dorsal spinous processes is reshaped. Dorsal Spinous Process Ostectomy is the most aggressive procedure whereby the entire dorsal spinous processes are removed. Outcome and return to full athletic activity with all surgery types is favorable and horses generally resume riding activities within 30–60 days.

Double D Trailers Info

Share this page:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
Tagged under: palm beach equine clinic, q&a, richard wheeler, vet

What you can read next

Warm Weather and Hot Competition Take Over the Blenheim Summer Classic
Unbridled with Shelley Campf
Foto Friday! xx

Download Sidelines Digital now from your favorite app store!

Sidelines Magazine - Apple store   Sidelines Magazine - Google Play store   Sidelines Magazine - Amazon store
Update iOS app. Re-download Google Play and Amazon app.

Follow on Instagram!

sidelines_magazine

Sidelines Magazine
Jessica West always rode any horse that was availa Jessica West always rode any horse that was available to her throughout her Junior career, so she knew she had an advantage when she decided she wanted to ride on an NCAA team in college. Now a senior at @@auburnu and majoring in psychology, Jessica has enjoyed everything about the equestrian team and is ready to move on to her next adventure. 

Read more about Jessica at the link in our bio!

#ncea #ncaa #equestrian #collegiateequestrian #huntseatequitation #hunterjumper #equestrianlife #collegelife #showjumper #hunterhorse #horseshow #sidelinesmagazine
In the unique and challenging sport of combined dr In the unique and challenging sport of combined driving, Jacob Arnold has proven himself to be a bona fide star. It’s been said that success develops from a recipe based on hard work, perseverance, learning and sacrifice, paired with a love of what one is doing. Since the time he was a boy, Jacob has had the right combination of all of those ingredients, which have culminated in a meteoric rise to stardom.

Beginning his career as a Junior, Jacob earned the coveted @usequestrian Junior Equestrian of the Year award in 2011. Since then, he has taken the combined driving world by storm, competing successfully in four @fei_global World Championships. He also won the USEF Advanced Pair Horse National Championship in 2020 and 2021, among other victories—all before the age of 28, in a sport that has historically been dominated by older drivers. Last September, he placed 12th—the highest of any American driver—at the 2021 FEI Driving World Championship for Pairs in a field of over 100 top-level drivers.

Read more about @jacobarnoldcombineddriving at the link in our bio!

@alex.banks.photography #combineddriving #drivendressage #dressage #driving #carriage #horsedriving #equestrianstyle #equestrianlife #horselover #drivinghorse #carriagehorse #showhorse #sidelinesmagazine
@rolex Testimonee Daniel Deusser has claimed the f @rolex Testimonee Daniel Deusser has claimed the first equestrian Major of 2022, winning the prestigious Rolex Grand Prix at The Dutch Masters. In doing so he also claimed an additional bonus for non-consecutive Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping wins, following his victory at CHIO Aachen last year. The German champion’s outstanding performance riding his trusted partner Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z once again makes him the live contender for the coveted Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.

Catch up on all the action and watch the free highlights video on the Sidelines Show World blog (link in bio!)

#showjumping #rolex #grandslam #rolexgrandslam #showjumper #dutch #netherlands #dutchwarmbloods #equestrianlife #hunterhorse #hunterjumper #equestrianstyle #showhorses #showjumpersofinstagram #jumpinghorse #grandprixjumer #grandprixhorse #sidelinesmagazine
Dog and Horse friendly 3 bedroom 2 bath on 1.25 ac Dog and Horse friendly 3 bedroom 2 bath on 1.25 acres in Jupiter Farms, Florida.

Jupiter Farms is an equestrian community with a trail system and a sand riding arena at the park. Charming home features vaulted ceilings, custom trim, custom lighting in master bedroom that changes color with a remote. Granite countertops in kitchen and laundry room. New 2022 stackable washer/dryer. Privacy fenced backyard with beautiful tall pines for shade, many palm trees also on property.

Secure fenced  25’ x 25’ pen with wood fencing , for a horse, dogs or a garden.  Wonderful property in desirable Jupiter Farms. 45 minutes to Wellington, 25 minutes to Jupiter Dog Beach. Perfect oasis for dog and horse lovers, close to everything in South Florida. MLS# 10778333, Agents welcome.

$655,000
Contact 561-246-9317
Load More... Follow on Instagram

From Our Classifieds Ads

  • Alex Nichols Agency

    50 Years in Flying Horses Weekly International & Domestic Flights

    Horse transportation, horse flights

    [Read more]

  • Blue Ribbon Scholars is here to help equestrian scholar-athletes!
    Click ad title for more images
    We take an individualized approach to help our students discover and achieve their own personal, academic, and athletic best. We offer academic support for traditional school subjects at all levels in addition to standardized test-prep tutoring. We are excited to announce the first installment in a series of virtual,

    [Read more]

Sidelines Articles by Email

Subscribe to Sidelines Magazine Articles by Email

RSS Sidelines Blogs: What’s Happenin’

  • A Paris Horse Adventure: Saut Hermes 2022
  • Better Business with Malvern Bank: Michael Meller’s Secrets to Success
  • Third Annual Painted Ponies Art Walk takes over Southern Pines, NC!

RSS Sidelines Blogs: Show World

  • Jung Ends as He Began — On Top — at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN™
  • ROLEX TESTIMONEE DANIEL DEUSSER WINS ROLEX GRAND PRIX AT 2022 DUTCH MASTERS
  • STABLE VIEW IN AIKEN POSTPONING ‘A’ RATED $400,000 H/J CHALLENGE SERIES DUE TO RESTRICTIVE MILEAGE RULE

Category

Recent Posts

  • Taylor Land: A Positive Outlook on Show Jumping

    By Cheyenne Lord Portraits by Kristie Scholten ...
  • Unbridled With John Roper

    By Britney Grover     John Roper absolutel...
  • Unbridled with Bev Bedard

    By Britney Grover     Other than leaving f...
  • Katie Duerrhammer: Driven by Love and Respect for Horses

    By Kimberly Gatto Portraits by Melissa Fuller &...
  • The Importance of Finding the Right Bit for Your Horse

    By Liz Halliday-Sharp Anyone who knows me is aw...

Copyright © 1987 - 2021 Sidelines Magazine
Privacy Policy · Returns & Refunds Policy · Hosting by Lucian Web Service
· Login

TOP
Get the Sidelines Scoop — your weekly look behind the scenes.Sign me up!