Hey there, 

Found a gelding that is local he is 7 year old. He had kissing spine surgery and had 3 vertabrae shaved, they said he has been rehabbed. He is well bred and is a nice looking boy. He is a bit behind in training and is not proven in anything and is riding. He is priced well below my budget and would be a project. 

I've been running into a lot of horses that have kissing spine which Is why I am looking at this one..it is fixed? I am aware that KS surgery requires a lot of maintenance and maintaining core strength, which I am no stranger to as my last horse needed a lot of it as she had arthritis in her spine. 

Would love to hear feedback. Yes/no? Pros/cons? anyone have experience with it?

IMO, Probably not..

It costs enough to maintain a barrel horse..

Why start with problems?

Even if the horse has had kissing spines surgery, it can grow back.  That came from Dr Honnas who probably does more KS surgery than anyone.