By Charlie Frost
This month’s blog is written by Charlie Frost, Marketing Consultant for The Masterson Method, and an advanced Masterson Method student (soon to become certified as a practitioner).
Most horse owners have heard of kissing spines, also known as impinging or overriding dorsal spinous processes. It’s a condition where the spinous processes of the vertebrae touch or overlap. While it can affect any horse, certain breeds or conformational types may be more predisposed. It’s particularly prevalent in Thoroughbreds, which may be linked to the breed’s genetics and skeletal structure.
If “kissing spines” seems to have become a more common term in recent years, there’s good reason. Advances in research and imaging have led to more diagnoses, with some studies suggesting that over half of all horses may have some degree of the condition. While those numbers sound dramatic, the impact varies greatly. Some horses show obvious pain, with clear changes in behavior or performance, while others remain completely asymptomatic and experience no associated discomfort.
This wide range in symptoms and responses is why it’s important not to rely solely on imaging. A whole-horse approach, where one observes behavior, movement, and changes over time or with certain types of work, is key.
What are the symptoms of kissing spines?
Because kissing spines affects every horse differently, symptoms vary, but some of the more common signs include:
- Obvious (and not so obvious!) back pain. This could appear when you palpate or brush the back, are saddling up or tightening the girth.
- Changes in behavior. Again this can vary from horse to horse, but obvious signs can be bucking, rearing, reacting when you mount to more subtle signs of discomfort.
- Changes in performance. Your horse may become reluctant to move forward, have trouble with canter transitions or staying in canter, or may be resistant to working in a frame.
- Physical signs. These can be more subtle but you might notice your horse’s topline lacks or loses muscle or appears hollow or there’s muscle atrophy. In some instances a horse may also appear to be unsound. This can be the case if the horse is using compensatory movement to try and relieve pressure from the back.
If you suspect your horse has kissing spines, it’s important to first work with your vet to see if you can confirm the diagnosis. This can be challenging in itself, but getting diagnostic tests can help determine if your horse does indeed have the condition.
Are there non-invasive treatments for kissing spines?
The severity of kissing spines will determine if and how a horse can be rehabbed and if they can continue to be ridden. Some cases may require surgery, if there’s extensive fusing or the horse is experiencing severe pain, your vet is best placed to advise on this.
The good news though is there are many ways that owners and riders can help manage kissing spines and support their horse with non-invasive treatment. These include specific training techniques, exercises to strengthen the back and core (including in-hand exercises or groundwork), a dynamic and static saddle fit check (if you’re riding your horse), a diet that supports healthy muscle development, regular farrier or trimmer care (yes, feet influence posture which is linked to kissing spines), and bodywork.
While kissing spines can affect any of the spinous processes, the most common location for it to occur is generally behind the withers, and between the 10th and 18th thoracic vertebrae (referred to as T10-T18), especially T13-18, so you want to ensure your saddle isn’t putting unnecessary pressure on the back.
How can bodywork help horses with kissing spines?
Although kissing spines involves the bony structures, the surrounding soft tissue – muscles and fascia – play a major role in posture, comfort, and movement. This is where bodywork, such as The Masterson Method®, can help.
- Improve posture. Regular bodywork can identify compensatory patterns, relieve muscle tension, and improve range of motion, which in turn will help improve your horse’s posture. Long-term discomfort often leads to postural and movement compensations that create pain elsewhere in the body.
- Release physical and mental tension. The Masterson Method promotes both muscle relaxation and mental relaxation, helping dissipate tension. Techniques such as the Scapula Release help release muscle relaxing neurochemical, while also restoring the natural mobility of the thoracic sling and muscles of the lower neck and back.
- Increase “range of motion” (ROM). By releasing accumulated tension, ROM often improves, reducing pain and discomfort. Better movement can accelerate the improvement of other issues.
- Release tension in the back. Bodywork helps to relax the core and postural muscles which opens up spaces between the vertebrae.
Are there specific Masterson Method techniques that can help?
Though we look to treat the whole horse, when we’re doing a bodywork session, there are some specific techniques that will benefit a horse that has kissing spines:
- Bladder Meridian Technique – this foundational technique can be used on any horse, but can be particularly valuable to both a horse with kissing spines and the owner or bodyworker. It allows the horse to relax and begin the process of releasing tension, while also allowing us to pinpoint exactly where in the spine the horse might be sensitive. It also helps to calm and prepare a horse for the techniques that follow, particularly if they’ve been accumulating tension or been in a compensatory pattern for a while.
- Withers Wiggle – this is a light technique that’s more intentional than mechanical, creating a micro-wiggle from side-to-side. Despite its name, you can actually do this technique all the way down the spine, starting at the withers, and gently wiggle the vertebrae. It helps release tension in the thoracic sling and in the withers, and all down the spine. Because it is so light, most horses feel the impact deep within their body, and get in what we call “the zone,” meaning they become internally aware and relaxed, receptive to subtle movements.
- Sternum Lift/Roll – another light technique, this one focuses on creating a healthy, functioning thoracic sling to help reduce excess back pressure and support stability and movement. This technique brings the horse’s awareness to the entire thoracic sling as we offer the intention of rolling the sternum along the sagittal axis (super subtle).
- Pectoral Points – this technique involves the familiar Search-Response-Search-Release (SRSR) that you learn in the Bladder Meridian Technique, but focused around the ascending pectorals (chest muscles on either side of the sternum). This can further relieve tension.
- Lateral Rocking (or Wiggling) – this is a great technique to bring gentle, fluid movement through the whole spine. As with any Masterson Method technique, follow the responses of the horse, and go slowly and gently, particularly if your horse has been showing pain or discomfort. It’s common for some horses to find it hard at first to let the movement travel all the way from their hindquarters through their spine to their nose (they may step away, which is a sign that you need to soften and “do less”). If your horse has had tension, back discomfort, or structural restrictions for a while, he may brace against the motion to protect himself if the motion isn’t gentle enough or it doesn’t have a rhythm. If that’s the case, try softening the rocking motion so that it’s barely detectable; think of it more as a gentle wiggle and keep the movement subtle and rhythmic for as long as the horse will allow it, allowing your horse time to relax into it.
Are there other considerations when using The Masterson Method?
When working with a horse with kissing spines, be mindful of their range of motion and soften your approach before the horse begins to brace. This is one of the most important tenets of The Masterson Method: stay under the horse’s bracing response. If the horse is not trusting, not comfortable, stiffening internally or through a raised head and widened eye, you need to soften your approach.
Where do you begin?
If your horse has kissing spines, always check with your vet before offering bodywork. Once you have clearance, explore the techniques listed above, or reach out to a Masterson Method Certified Practitioner near you to work with your horse.
You can also find resources on our website:
- Beyond Horse Massage book
- Beyond Horse Massage video
- Light to the Core video
- Bodywork Session Reviews Library (there’s one of Jim working on a horse with kissing spines that you can purchase separately)
By far the best way to learn this work is to attend an in-person course, as receiving hands-on assistance will propel your skills tremendously.
Receiving the news that your horse has, or may have, kissing spines can be devastating. But keep in mind that there is a very wide range of severity. While many horses exhibit signs of this condition, others can be unaffected and experience little or no pain and there are things you can do to support your horse.
Charlie Frost is an advanced Fieldwork Student and Marketing Consultant for The Masterson Method. She was introduced to The Masterson Method by a friend who suggested she try the Bladder Meridian Technique on an OTTB at an equine rescue. The rest is history. Charlie is on track to become a Masterson Method Certified Practitioner this year, and hopes to give back to the horses who set her on this path.