IN HUMANS, BACK pain is the most common form of chronic pain — and there is no reason to think that the same is not true of horses, according to experts who spend their time diagnosing, treating and prescribing intricate rehab plans for sore equines.
From an anatomical point of view, it is easy to see why back issues are commonplace. Horses look like they are absolutely made for riding — not too big nor too small, they are strong, agile and have space on their backs to carry us.
Ironically, though, the most convenient place for us to sit is possibly the weakest place of all — right in the middle of the ‘bridge’ with no supporting limbs underneath.
Vet and researcher Dr Hilary Clayton likens the horse's back to a bookshelf.
“It tends to sag in the middle, furthest away from the points of support,” she explains. “The horse already has about 600lb of viscera suspended from the vertebrae, and then we add a rider on top, at the furthest point away from the supports provided by the fore and hind limbs…”
When the horse's back sags in the middle it brings the spinous processes closer together and predisposes the horse to kissing spines — an extremely common problem.
“The stronger the back, the less likely the shelf is to sag,” continues Hilary. “The back sags more when the rider is heavy, the back muscles are weak and when the back is long. If the books are lighter and the supports closer together, there is less potential for strain on the bookshelf.”
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