"Tina"
11-year old mare - Grand Prix Jumper

Kissing Spine
17 FES Treatments on top line
8 Movement Evaluations until sound for jumping competitions

SUMMARY:
11/13/02 mare was presented as Grade 4/5 hind limb lameness. In hand at the walk, the mare drug both hind toes and was uncoordinated when turning in small circles. She previously had a successful career as a grand prix jumper. No specific injury was noted, just a progressive decline in performance over the past year.

Past history included, 8/7/01 spinal x-rays confirming kissing spine in the posterior thoracic vertebrae. Spinal injections were given at the time of the x-rays. In subsequent months, chiropractic and acupuncture treatments were given. No improvement in performance was noted.

On 11/13/02 and examination was performed and FES treatments were started. The mare was ridden after two treatments and the owner noted improvements in the stride length and in the willingness of the mare to move forward. A rehabilitation protocol of specific exercises was developed to assist in strengthening and/or stretching specific muscles and the associated tendons and ligaments.

After 7 treatments, the mare was cantering willingly under saddle and returning to light jumping work of fences under 2'. A total of 17 treatments were given over a period of 5 months. After 5 months of treatments, the mare returned to Grand Prix competition. She was retired 2 years later without any further lameness issues

2001

8/7 Radiographs of kissing spine

2002

11/13

• Examination
• Twisted in sacrum, muscle loss in loins and withers
• Grade 4/5 lameness
• Walking, dragging both hind toes
• Trotting, extremely uneven, showing stiffness in all 4 legs
• FES treatment
  • L4 - S2 (loins to mid gluteals)

11/14 FES treatment

• L4 - S2 (loins to mid gluteals)

11/15 FES treatment

• L4 - S2 (loins to mid gluteals)
• Movement Evaluation
  • "dropping" back during mounting
  • very stiff to left, hips twisted left when tracking both directions, work every other day only at trot on specific exercises

11/27 Movement Evaluation

• hip alignment more symmetrical

11/28 FES treatment

• L4 - S2 (loins to mid gluteals)

11/29 FES treatment

• L4 - S2 (loins to mid gluteals)

11/30 FES treatment

• L4 - S2 (loins to mid gluteals)
• Movement Evaluation
  • much straighter, good flexion in loins in both directions

12/1 Movement Evaluation

• excellent canter work, well balanced and symetrical

2003

1/5 FES treatment

• L4 - S2 (loins to mid gluteals)
• Movement Evaluation
  • right loin tighter than left, still hollow in withers

1/5 FES treatment

• L4 - S2 (loins to mid gluteals)

1/6 FES treatment

• L4 - S2 (loins to mid gluteals)

1/7 FES treatment

• L4 - S2 (loins to mid gluteals)

3/13 FES treatment

• L2 - S4 (loins to mid gluteals)

3/14 FES treatment

• L2 - S4 (loins to mid gluteals)
• Movement Evaluation
  • will not step left, tight again in left loins

3/15 FES treatment

• T13-L4 (behind withers)

3/16 FES treatment

• T13-L4 (behind withers)
• Movement Evaluation
  • supple shoulders to improve straightness

3/17 FES treatment

• T15 - S1 (mid back to loins)

4/24 FES treatment

• L4 - S2 (loins to mid gluteals)

4/25 FES treatment

• L4 - S2 (loins to mid gluteals)
• Movement Evaluation
  • excellent suppleness to both sides at all three gaits, during flying changes and during lateral movements

5/1 Competition in Grand Prix Jumping

• FES Treatments continued every 8 to 12 weeks on a prophylactic basis