You probably know of a horse that has kissing spines or own one. This condition is complex and can be challenging. It requires a multidisciplinary approach and a tailored treatment plan. However, with proper diagnosis and management, many horses can enjoy a comfortable and productive life.
We have covered in detail in a previous article all about kissing spines - the causes, symptoms and diagnosis.
You can also learn more about Kissing Spines in the on demand webinar Kissing Spines — Anatomy and Rehabilitation.
In this webinar with the help of anatomically painted horses, anatomical bones and real horse bones, discover what kissing spines are, what they actually look like, where and why they happen. Gillian also suggests exercises and tips to both prevent them happening and to aid the rehabilitation of horses with Kissing Spines.
In this article Gillian shares her top recommendations for exercises that will help to improve a horse with Kissing Spines and hopefully help make them clinically insignificant.
Keep Walking
Walk is a superb way of gently mobilising the back in terms of rotation and lateral flexion. Learn more about this pace with the on-demand webinar The Biomechanics of Walk
Fitness First
Basic fitness has so many health benefits from increased bone density and stronger muscles, reduced stress levels and quicker reactions to improve back posture. (This is the same for humans as well as horses!
Canter More
Canter is excellent for mobilising the back. It also improves posture, strength, back flexibility and helps tone the abdominal muscles.
Learn more about this pace in the on-demand webinar The Biomechanics of Canter
The Power of Pilates
The rest of the exercises in this list are covered in great detail in the new The Complete Pilates for Horses Programme, which launches on 20th November 2024. Available for pre-order now!
Go Backwards!
For a number of different reasons, backing up is one of Gillian’s all-time favourite exercises. It is a must for horses with kissing spine and for helping prevent it developing. As a basic suggestion build up to 4 lots of 10 steps backward 5 times a week.
Raised Walk Poles
This is another favourite. Gillian has a series of logs and raised telegraph poles on the way to and from the field making easy to incorporate it into her horses’ daily routine without any extra effort. She also recommends doing a more intensive polework exercise session twice a week where the horse repeats a series of 6 walk poles 10 - 20 times.
Get inspired and ideas for more exercises with the on-demand webinar Poles for Posture
Wither Rock
This is a gentle yet effective back mobilising exercise. Read how to do this exercise in a previous article - Maintain Mobility in Your Horse.
Carrot Exercises
There have been studies that show the benefits of performing carrot exercises. In many ways these can be equivalent to doing stomach crunches, but the carrot has to be in the right place and you need to do enough of them. For us 1 sit up once a week wouldn’t do much. Gillian recommends cutting up a batch of carrots into batons and then performing approximately 20 reps in each chosen position. To open the spinous spaces and strengthen the muscles that flex the back, the best position is low between the front legs or low to the side.
Stimulate Muscle Recruitment during Grooming
The Sternum and Abdominal Stroke exercise is an active movement that effectively strengthens and stimulates the thoracic sling muscles and the abdominal muscles particularly the rectus abdominis. This exercise brings awareness to the thoracic and abdominal regions. It's equivalent to us recruiting our abdominal muscles to pull our tummy in and can be useful in developing thoracic sling and abdominal tone to support the back. This exercise can be done while you are grooming your horse.
How to do it
Stand facing the girth line.
Watch the horse’s withers and back to observe any change in position.
Place the flat of one hand on the midline between his front legs.
Take a moment to allow the horse to get used to your touch.
Slowly slide your hand backwards along the midline to ascertain how far back the horse is comfortable with your touch. For most horses this will be just in front of the sheath / udders. If it is further forward, just make a note of that point and don’t go behind it.
Then, maintaining the same pressure, slide your hand forward again along the midline and back to the starting point, pushing the hair the wrong way. It is when you push your hand this way that you will see the biggest change in the horse’s back and thorax position.
Repeat these longitudinal strokes along the midline in a continuous manner with a slight increase in speed and pressure if required.
If there is minimal response try using a scratch rather than the flat of your hand or a rubber curry comb.
As you do this exercise, watch the horse’s back to gauge the reaction and be aware of your horse’s response. As long as he is happy with the stroke, continue for 10 seconds - this will work out at approximately 20 strokes (along and back).
Do not try this exercise with horses that object to being touched in the abdominal region. Also, consult your vet and physiotherapist and discuss when you can start this exercise as part of a rehabilitation programme following abdominal surgery or trauma.
A Programme to a Stronger and More Comfortable Horse
If you're keen to improve and maintain your horse’s posture, core strength, body awareness, control and balance, you need The Complete Pilates for Horses Programme! It's available to pre-order now ahead of the launch on 20 November 2024.
This unique and comprehensive programme gives you everything you need to confidently start using these hugely powerful and effective exercises that will make a real difference to your horse’s comfort, performance and well-being.
Incorporating these exercises into your horse’s routine has a whole host of benefits, including
Improving posture, strength and core stability
Creating better balance, coordination and proprioception
Developing a deeper bond
Enhancing comfort and performance
Improving flexibility, mobility and suppleness
Reducing stiffness and the risk of injury
The Complete Pilates for Horses Programme is an invaluable resource for all horse owners. It includes the new book - A Comprehensive Guide to Pilates for Horses, a video course, Pilates exercise selector and Pilates Planner.
Start your Pilates journey today and see the massive benefits these exercises have on your horse's comfort and performance. Pre order today!
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