The vet’s voice on the phone is clear, but the words feel fuzzy: “The x-rays confirm it. It’s Kissing Spines.” In that moment, a thousand questions flood your mind, but one shouts the loudest: Will we ever be able to ride like we used to?

For many riders, this diagnosis feels like a devastating endpoint. But what if it’s actually a turning point? An opportunity to understand your horse’s back more deeply than ever and rebuild your partnership on a foundation of true comfort?

Let’s start with a dose of data-driven hope. A landmark 2021 study in the Equine Veterinary Journal revealed something incredible: with conservative, non-surgical management, 82% of horses diagnosed with Kissing Spines returned to their previous level of work.

The key isn’t just rest; it’s a thoughtful, phased return to work, supported by one of the most critical—and often overlooked—tools in your tack room: your saddle. This guide will walk you through that process, step by step.

First, Let’s Understand the Challenge: What Exactly is Kissing Spines?

Before we can create a plan, we need to know what we’re dealing with. The clinical term is Overriding Dorsal Spinous Processes (ODSP). Imagine the vertebrae in your horse’s back, specifically the tall, thin bones that point upward (the dorsal spinous processes). In a healthy back, these bones are spaced apart.

With Kissing Spines, these processes are too close together. They might touch or even overlap—”kissing”—which can cause inflammation, pain, and restricted movement, especially when the back is hollow. It’s like having two knuckles constantly rubbing against each other. The goal of rehabilitation is to strengthen the muscles that lift and support the spine, creating more space between those bones.

The Unseen Obstacle in Recovery: Your Saddle

You’ve followed your vet’s advice. You’ve done the groundwork, the stretches, and the long-reining. Your horse is moving better, and you’re finally cleared to get back in the saddle. But if the saddle you use undermines this progress, you could be unknowingly setting your horse back.

Renowned researcher Dr. Sue Dyson has extensively documented how ill-fitting saddles often worsen clinical signs of back pain. A saddle with a narrow gullet channel, or one that “bridges”—touching at the front and back but not the middle—concentrates the rider’s weight directly over the very spinal processes you’re trying to heal.

For many riders, this is a revelation: your saddle isn’t just a piece of equipment; it’s an active participant in your horse’s recovery. The wrong one can be a source of constant, low-grade pressure that prevents the back muscles from lifting and strengthening, keeping your horse locked in a cycle of pain.

This is where understanding equine biomechanics becomes non-negotiable. For a horse with Kissing Spines, the saddle must provide absolute freedom for the spine.

A study on equine back mobility found that horses ridden in saddles with wider gullets and more flexible trees showed a significant increase in spinal flexion and extension. This isn’t just a small improvement; it’s the very movement required to build a strong, healthy topline. Your saddle must transform from a potential obstacle into a therapeutic tool, allowing the back to lift, swing, and engage without restriction.

Your Phased Return-to-Riding Plan (Non-Surgical)

Disclaimer: This is a general framework. Always work closely with your veterinarian and equine physiotherapist to tailor a plan specific to your horse’s diagnosis and condition. Progress slowly and listen to your horse above all else.

Phase 1: The Foundation (Weeks 1-2) – Walking Only

The goal here isn’t fitness; it’s neuromuscular re-education—teaching your horse’s body how to move correctly and confidently under a rider again.

• Focus: Long, straight lines and large, sweeping circles at an active, forward walk.
• Duration: Start with 15-minute rides and slowly build to 30 minutes.
• Goal: Establish relaxation, rhythm, and forward-thinking energy. Avoid any movements that would cause the back to hollow. Think “long and low.”

Phase 2: Building Strength (Weeks 3-4) – Introducing the Trot

Once your horse is walking confidently and feels loose in the back, you can introduce short bursts of trot work.

• Focus: Introduce 20-30 second intervals of a working trot on straight lines. Maintain a light, two-point or half-seat to keep your weight off the horse’s back.
• Duration: Continue with 30-minute sessions, incorporating trot intervals into your walk-focused ride.
• Goal: Begin activating the core and postural muscles without causing fatigue or strain. Proper freedom of the shoulder is crucial here, as a restricted shoulder will prevent the back from lifting into the trot.

Phase 3: Engaging the Hindquarters (Weeks 5-6) – Canter & Transitions

If the trot work is going well, with no signs of resistance or discomfort, it’s time to ask the horse to carry more weight behind.

• Focus: Introduce canter on a 20-meter circle, encouraging a forward, rhythmic pace. Practice simple transitions (walk-trot, trot-walk) to encourage the horse to step under himself.
• Duration: Build up to 35-45 minute rides.
• Goal: Strengthen the connection from the hind end over the topline. The canter’s three-beat rhythm naturally helps lift the horse’s back.

Phase 4: Re-introducing Finesse (Weeks 7-8+) – Lateral Work & Hills

Now you can begin adding exercises that build suppleness and true carrying power. This phase is highly dependent on the horse’s progress.

• Focus: Introduce gentle lateral work like leg-yields on a straight line and shoulder-fore on a large circle. Hacking up and down gentle hills is excellent for building strength.
• Goal: Improve flexibility, balance, and self-carriage. These exercises are particularly beneficial for promoting core stability, a key factor in managing long-term back health, especially when considering saddle fit for short-backed horses who rely on an engaged core.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kissing Spines Recovery

How do I know if my horse is in pain during the ride?

Listen with your eyes. Signs of discomfort include tail swishing, pinning ears, tensing the jaw, a “sour” expression, reluctance to move forward, or trying to rush through transitions. If you see these signs, immediately return to a less demanding exercise or end the session.

Can my horse ever jump again?

For many, the answer is yes. The 82% statistic includes horses returning to all disciplines. It depends entirely, however, on the severity of the condition, the quality of the rehabilitation, and the individual horse. The focus must always be on correct, pain-free flatwork to build the necessary muscular foundation.

What kind of groundwork supports this riding plan?

Groundwork is your best friend. Lunging in a system that encourages a long, low frame (like Vienna reins or a Pessoa system used correctly), carrot stretches to promote flexion, and walking over raised poles are all excellent ways to build core strength without a rider’s weight.

Why is a non-restrictive saddle so important?

Think of it this way: all your rehab work on the ground is designed to teach the horse to lift its back. If you then put on a saddle that presses down on the spine, you are sending a conflicting and painful message. A saddle with ample spinal clearance allows the back muscles to function and strengthen as intended, making it an integral part of the healing process.

The Path Forward: From Management to Harmony

A Kissing Spines diagnosis is not a verdict; it’s a directive. It directs you to listen more closely, learn more deeply, and prioritize your horse’s comfort above all else. By combining a patient, progressive plan with equipment that supports healing, you aren’t just managing a condition—you’re building a stronger, more resilient equine athlete.

The journey back to work is a testament to the power of a thoughtful approach. It’s proof that when we make comfort the foundation of our training, we create the potential not just for recovery, but for a deeper, more harmonious connection with our horses.