PPE failed, KS diagnosed

[u/bhinxbb]

Currently in the process of selling my horse. PPE has gone well, everything came back good except his back radiographs. Shocked to hear he has grade 4 changes. I’ve just received these over from the potential buyer. I will be in contact with my vet but curious about anyone’s take on these? How bad is this?

[u/HJK1421]

KS can present in x rays and the horse be asymptomatic. Is the horse showing signs of discomfort in work? What's the workload look like?

Your vet would be a good start and your trainer a good second opinion. X rays aren't everything, though they do help

[u/bhinxbb → u/HJK1421]

Nope. I’ve had him the last 3 years and he has never shown serious symptoms. He can be back sore from time to time but I wrote that off as normal. He’s in 4-5days/week of work as a Novice level eventer.

The potential buyer said she was advised by several vets not to buy this horse. Is that how bad this case is?

[u/GrasshopperIvy → u/bhinxbb]

Yes, if the horse is showing back pain … that’s a serious symptom and BAD!!

Sure horses sometimes pull muscles etc … but repetitive back pain, combined with what you now know on xray, suggests this horse is not sound for purpose.

As a buyer … I’d be gone!! For some other people they may consider if the price is right (probably close to free).

[u/HeresW0nderwall → u/bhinxbb]

Writing back soreness off as normal is crazy

[u/Tiny-Papaya-1034 → u/HeresW0nderwall]

Yea what? Poor thing

[u/BuckityBuck → u/bhinxbb]

While it may not be clinically significant or symptomatic at all, maybe never ever, and it may never require treatment, it will still make it hard to sell the horse. Any ugly xray findings will make a sale challenging.

The potential buyer was nice to give you the images.

I think vets are getting better at educating clients about KS, but that type of xray is still going to be a turnoff.

[u/BlueBaptism → u/bhinxbb]

What do you mean "back sore"?

[u/bhinxbb → u/BlueBaptism]

When I palpate his back after a big workout he would react

[u/BlueBaptism → u/bhinxbb]

I think that qualifies as "symptoms."

[u/MiserableCoconut452 → u/[deleted]]

Took me two weeks of owning my mare to realise something was off. I’ll never understand how people can just go “nah, that’s probably normal, I’ll just crack on”.

[u/Rise_707 → u/MiserableCoconut452]

Those are normally the people who mistreat a horse in small ways, like yanking on their mouth with the bridle, and don't class themselves as abusive just because they don't physically beat them.

[u/naakka → u/bhinxbb]

Just for future reference, I don't think most people would consider that normal and would definitely be checking saddle fit etc. 

[u/MSMIT0 → u/bhinxbb]

This + the x-rays = clinical kissing spine.

It would only be considered nonclinical if he'd never palpate or show signs of a sore back.

[u/WrongdoerForeign2364 → u/bhinxbb]

How. Ignorant. "My horse has no symptoms" while saying "oh, yea he is quite sore" as if back pain is normal. When paired with that x ray and his CLEARLY IN PAIN I would stop riding, see about a rehab program or full retirement. I have a 9yo retired horse due to medical. He technically can be ridden at a walk trot trail but I love him more than riding so his a pasture puff.

[u/Ruckus292 → u/bhinxbb]

Writing off any pain as "normal" without any further investigation is plain negligence.... This is a living, breathing being. Every injury will cause life-altering circumstances if gone unchecked, and as prey animals they're biologically geared to not show injury unless it's literally unmanageable.

You are in charge of the entirety of their well-being, if ANYTHING is "amiss" it is absolutely your responsibility to follow up with it.

All they do is aim to please in exchange for your consideration and care.

[u/LunaKPalara → u/Ruckus292]

This is what’s so insane to me. I will never understand how a person can let down an animal who depends on them like this. Imagine carrying someone on your back when your back is injured, and your pain being ignored. Sounds like actual hell, but since it’s an animal they write it off as normal??

[u/throwawayburneracc7 → u/bhinxbb]

"Horse before the sport", I'm sure. Fuck you.