## Overview Lumbar back pain is discomfort in the loin region. Causes include muscle strain, osteoarthritis of the articular facets, overriding dorsal spinous processes (kissing spines), and rarely disc disease. It is common in sport horses and produces stiffness, reluctance to engage the hindquarters, poor impulsion, and resistance to lateral work or transitions. ## Causes Overuse, poor saddle fit, conformational issues, or primary spinal pathology. ## Diagnosis Palpation, observation under saddle, diagnostic analgesia, radiographs, and sometimes scintigraphy or ultrasound. ## Treatment Anti-inflammatories, physiotherapy, saddle fit correction, and injections or surgery for specific lesions such as kissing spines. Workload modification is essential. ## Recovery and Prognosis Good for muscle strain. Chronic bony changes require ongoing management. ## Prevention Proper conditioning, correct saddle fit, and balanced training.
stiffness in the loin; reluctance to engage hindquarters; poor impulsion; difficulty with lateral work; bucking; pain on palpation
## Overview Lumbar back pain is discomfort in the loin region. Causes include muscle strain, osteoarthritis of the articular facets, overriding dorsal spinous processes (kissing spines), and rarely disc disease. It is common in sport horses and produces stiffness, reluctance to engage the hindquarters, poor impulsion, and resistance to lateral work or transitions. ## Causes Overuse, poor saddle fit, conformational issues, or primary spinal pathology. ## Diagnosis Palpation, observation under saddle, diagnostic analgesia, radiographs, and sometimes scintigraphy or ultrasound. ## Treatment Anti-inflammatories, physiotherapy, saddle fit correction, and injections or surgery for specific lesions such as kissing spines. Workload modification is essential. ## Recovery and Prognosis Good for muscle strain. Chronic bony changes require ongoing management. ## Prevention Proper conditioning, correct saddle fit, and balanced training.
stiffness in the loin; reluctance to engage hindquarters; poor impulsion; difficulty with lateral work; bucking; pain on palpation