Kissing Spine in Horses - What Owners Need to Know

Academy Team
Aug 17
2 min read

Kissing spine in horses happens when the bony “spines” or along a horse’s back are too close together and may even touch. This can cause pain, stiffness, or changes in behaviour.

Only a vet can diagnose kissing spine using scans or X-rays, so if you’re worried about your horse, the first step is always to get veterinary advice.

Signs to Look Out For

Soreness or dipping away when you touch the back
Girthiness or reluctance to be tacked up
Hollowing, bucking, or refusing transitions
General loss of performance or willingness

These don’t always mean kissing spine, but they’re red flags worth investigating.

How It’s Managed

There isn’t a single “cure.” Most horses benefit from a combination of veterinary treatment, correct exercise, and supportive care. In some cases, surgery may be an option.

How Rehab & Therapy Can Help

While the vet leads the treatment plan, horses with kissing spine often do much better when we also focus on:

Manual Therapy – easing muscle tension, improving comfort, and supporting freer movement.
Core Strengthening Exercises – such as carrot stretches, ground poles, and in-hand work to build strong back and abdominal muscles.
Correct Saddle Fit – essential to allow the back to develop properly during rehab.

Studies show that strengthening the horse’s core and improving spinal stability can make a real difference to comfort and performance.

The Takeaway

Kissing spine can sound scary, but many horses return to happy, active work with the right combination of vet-led treatment and ongoing rehab support.

✅ Book a Prehabilitation or Rehab Session

If your horse is coming back from injury, has had a diagnosis, or you simply want to prevent problems before they start, I can help.

Back in Balance offers:

Manual therapy
Rehabilitation planning
Saddle fitting to support recovery

📩 Get in touch today to book your appointment and give your horse the best chance of staying strong, comfortable, and in balance.