16/07/2026
๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐ฅ ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ฌ
One of the cases we see the most at the Therapy Centre, is horses going through rehabilitation after the diagnosis of overriding or impinging dorsal spinous processes. This can be through rehabilitation alone, in addition to medical intervention e.g. steroid injections, or following surgery. All cases require a unique approach, and through discussion with the horses 'home team' of the owner, vet, farrier and musculoskeletal therapist, we formulate a targeted rehabilitation plan for each individual.
We have a wide range of facilities and modalities at Hartpury to help us deliver the best possible care for our inpatients. For cases such as these, a rehabilitation plan may include gait analysis over ground or on the treadmill to assess the horses movement and asymmetries, electrotherapy (TENs, interferential, EMS, ultrasound & laser) for pain relief and healing, stretches and mobilisations for engagement and flexibility, dry treadmill to encourage straightness and fitness, water treadmill to increase range of movement and build hindlimb, core and back muscle, ground schooling and eventually ridden exercise.
A large factor in the success of what can be a devastating prognosis of 'kissing spines' is time, knowledge and close monitoring of progression. Which is why many people choose to send their horses to a dedicated facility to carry out the whole rehabilitation process, or get their horse to a point where they can be managed at home. For owners undertaking their horses rehabilitation themselves we can also create tailored plans following discussion with your home team to exercise your horse as an outpatient on our treadmills, in line with your current rehabilitation plan.
If you would like to discuss your horses rehabilitation needs please don't hesitate to contact us on [email protected] or on 07765 226995
