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Everyday most horses are exposed to situations which can cause damage to their spine. The following examples could cause VSC’s in horses and many other animals:

• Trauma: caused by falls trips, slips or being cast in the stable.
• Performance: Every event or activity strains the spine in different and specific ways.
• Narcotics: The entire general anaesthetic process can cause problems in the spine.
• Rider: Problems with the rider’s seat i.e. crooked or forked seat can lead to back problems not only with the horse but also for the rider.
• Transportation: Long journey times, accidents (however minor), poor shock absorption in the trailer and unsympathetic driving  can cause damage.
• Shoes: Poor hoof care and incorrect shoeing interfere with the horse’s movement resulting in VSC’s of the spine.
• Birthing difficulties: difficult births where the foal is forcibly extracted can cause problems to both mare and foal.
• Saddle: Poorly fitting saddles are one of the most frequent causes of back problems in the horse.
• Lack of movement: lack of space in which to move does not give the horse enough opportunity to ease tension by bucking or rolling.
• Age: As age increases the effects of previous small and /or large traumas to the spine become more apparent.

Horse with VSC’s may present with many symptoms, the most common of which is pain. Horses with pain in their back often express this in their posture or in their refusal to work. The horse attempts to compensate for the pain by changing its posture and way of going, but this can result in other problems such as joint changes.

The following symptoms may indicate pain caused by a subluxation:

• Reduced performance
• Abnormal posture
• Snapping and pinning back its ears when being saddled or rugged
• Insubordination when being ridden
• The attempt to free itself by throwing its head back or up or by hollowing the back
• Swishing its tail and pinning its ears
• Disobedience when jumping
• Changes in behaviour
• Difficulties with collected or lateral gaits
• Frightened or painful facial expression
• Sensitivity to touch

Subluxations in the spine can affect muscle co-ordination and mobility of the horse, thereby causing decreased performance, such as;

• Abnormal gait rhythm
• Irregularity of gait which cannot be assigned to a particular leg or gait
• Stiffness when the horse leaves the stable
• Stiffness when bending and in its general posture
• Muscular atrophy
• Brushing or interfering
• Difficulty engaging the hind quarters
• Difficulty working long and low
• Shortened stride in one or more legs.
• Overall decreased range of motion in gait
• Difficulty flexing at the poll
• Lameness
• Horse pulls against one rein
• Rider is seated off centre due to the horse
• Horses back does not swing

A major effect of a VSC can be impairment to the flow of information in the nerves which exit the spinal cord between the vertebrae. As these nerves innervate the skin, certain glands and blood vessels, such neurological disturbances can lead to the following symptoms:

• Unusual itching at the base of the tail or other body parts
• Increased sensitivity to heat or cold
• Asymmetrical or reduced sweating and perspiration

 

This list is certainly not exhaustive; however, it does demonstrate the many effects a VSC can have.