Serenity06 - 2015-09-26 7:44 PM

After finally kicking off my paint mare's barrel racing career in August it has come to a slamming halt. After getting her adjusted by a chiro because she felt stiff to the left she has been lame almost a month now. Through tons of trial and error and quite a bit of money I finally have answers. Today we made the 2 hour drive to Reata Equine Hospital in Weatherford, Tx. Dr Sutherland is amazing as is the staff there! From now on I will be doing most my horse business at Reata. They are very attentive, thorough, and very reasonably priced.

Serenity's barrel racing career is over. She has abnormal vertebrae and can not handle the stress. She has spots that are pretty jagged and other areas don't have quite enough space in between them so in certain maneuvers the vertebrae end up rubbing which over time has cause some calcification and created some grooves. Front left coffin joint is inflamed from over compensating on it for so long. Vet wanted to inject in between her vertebrae to get the inflammation down in those muscles and the coffin joint but I just can't afford all that right now, so we are doing 5 days of Bute and muscle relaxers and going from there.

She SHOULD be ok to ride after all the inflammation goes down but no guarantees. This mare is my heart and soul, I am completely crushed. I keep reminding myself that it could have been so much worse and at least I still have her. I will just have to switch my focus to her 3yr old son by Howelling Corona. I have been slacking on him not really in any rush but he has now been promoted to being my main mount.

Serenity06 - 2015-09-26 8:24 PM

Honestly she didn't say it was so I'm not sure. All the examples I've seen of kissing spine x-rays seem a bit more severe then my mare's x-rays. She does have less spacing between some vertebrae but they do not rub all the time... If it still counts as kissing spine I'm not sure. I'll have to double check with the vet...

Thanks guys. I have my own slew of pretty obnoxious back issues which are ironically very similar to my mare's. I honestly know the pain she is in and I simply can not believe she was running barrels fr me and winning checks with these issues going on. I feel horrible all at the same time. I am very thankful to finally have answers and to now be able to help her. I am also glad I insisted that I take her to a better vet instead of listening to all the people who told me to just turn her out. I KNEW something was very wrong, I just couldn't figure out what.

Chandler's Mom - 2015-09-26 8:14 PM


You had her best interests at heart and did what was right, so don't beat yourself up. Now you're gonna make sure she's taken care of and comfortable---she couldn't ask for more. Prayers that she will be rideable and will make you more nice babies in the future!!

Serenity06 - 2015-09-26 9:38 PM


Thank you! The vet could tell I felt horrible that I couldn't afford all those injections right now. She was so helpful and compassionate! If after this 5 day treatment she still needs to be injected then I will make the funds be available. Serenity's comfort is my absolute main concern. I did ask about breeding her and the vet doesn't think that would be an issue at all. Not exactly something I'm dead set on doing yet but her 3rd old is awfully darn nice so far... We will see what comes about with all this one day at a time.

Even if all she ends up being is a pasture pet she has a home here till her last day. She may end up an expensive pasture pet but oh well. Lol

Serenity06 - 2015-09-27 6:52 AM

Thanks everyone. Whenever they email me her xrays I'll share them. I'm not entertained with life's irony of my and her having similar back issue. Her comfort and we'll being will always be my main goal.

The vet did mention the surgery. By the look on her face when she talked about it I imagine back surgery on horses comes with the same risks as with people. I was told if I opted for surgery that the arthritis I could end up with in the area could be a worse pain. While no guarantees it would end up that way, it's a risk. It may be something I consider in the future for her, if not then she has earned her semi retirement or retirement, however it plays out. She may not have truly done much performance wise but she has been my rock for the last 7yrs. She came into my life when I really needed her and has taught me more then any othere human or horse could have ever hoped to teach me. If her son can have half the heart and grit his mom has, he'll be a darn nice horse.

Serenity06 - 2015-09-26 9:38 PM Thank you! The vet could tell I felt horrible that I couldn't afford all those injections right now. She was so helpful and compassionate! If after this 5 day treatment she still needs to be injected then I will make the funds be available. Serenity's comfort is my absolute main concern. I did ask about breeding her and the vet doesn't think that would be an issue at all. Not exactly something I'm dead set on doing yet but her 3rd old is awfully darn nice so far... We will see what comes about with all this one day at a time. Even if all she ends up being is a pasture pet she has a home here till her last day. She may end up an expensive pasture pet but oh well. Lol

Serenity06 - 2015-09-29 9:46 PM Dr Honnas doesn't think she is a candidate for surgery and that once we get the inflammation down the bones should quit rubbing. In his opinion if the inflammation is kept down then her career may not be over after all.... That would be amazing!

Serenity06 - 2015-09-30 5:59 AM Thank you! I am going to print it and put It in both horse trailers!

Serenity06 - 2015-09-29 9:46 PM

Dr Honnas doesn't think she is a candidate for surgery and that once we get the inflammation down the bones should quit rubbing. In his opinion if the inflammation is kept down then her career may not be over after all.... That would be amazing!

cavyrunsbarrels - 2015-09-30 10:57 PM


 I tried the stretches in there for the first time tonight. My horse was more sore than usual tonight so not sure if he's due for another round of injections or just from having a couple days off, but I dedicated our entire ride to working on these stretches at the walk and trot and while we are both still figuring out the "long and low" contact and these exercises, his back felt SIGNIFICANTLY better when I got off than when I got on. So I highly recommend! We are going to warm up like this from now on.

ampratt - 2015-10-01 5:57 AM


He is the BEST! Prayers that your mare heals and is able to continue running for you!

stayceem - 2015-10-01 12:46 PM

OP - my gelding also has "mild" kissing spine. His do not touch but have in the past causing the calcification and damage to each vertebrae. His effect 3 processes. I can try and attach mine for your comparision.

I have been doing meso therapy, massage and TONS of lunging with side reins, long lines and a neck stretcher. Sometimes over ground poles and sometimes not to build that topline. I have some fantastic days and he has some horrible days. I only ran him 3 times this year (vet said I could run him as normal unless having a flair up) but I wanted to be cautious and he had very very nice runs.

So I know its heartbreaking but know there are lots of options. Hugs

ETA - cant get the pics to attach of x-rays