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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Med Sci / Spondylosis in Horses: Clinical Features, Diagnostic Imaging...
Veterinary medicine and science2025; 11(2); e70196; doi: 10.1002/vms3.70196

Spondylosis in Horses: Clinical Features, Diagnostic Imaging Findings, Treatment and Outcome in 13 Horses.

Abstract: Back pain is a debilitating condition hampering horses' athletic careers. Thoracic spondylosis (TS), a known cause of back pain, leads to osteophytes formation across intervertebral joints. In horses, TS is poorly reported, with anecdotal signs and response to treatment. To report clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging findings, treatment and outcome in horses with TS. The clinical records of horses diagnosed with TS between 2010 and 2023 were reviewed. Signalment, clinical and imaging findings, treatment, and outcome were analysed. Thoracic spondylosis was graded from 1 to 5. Grades, concurrent pathologies, treatment, and outcome were assessed. The median TS grade and number of lesions and outcome were compared using the Mann-Whitney test. Thirteen horses met inclusion criteria, eight of which performed a discipline involving jumping. All horses exhibited signs consistent with back pain. Thoracic spondylosis sites varied from 1 to 6 (mean 2) with a total of 32 lesions. The most affected site was T13-T14. Five horses had concurrent dorsal spinous processes impingement and three were lame. Treatment included physiotherapy, tiludronate, anti-inflammatory and extracorporeal shockwave therapy. Long-term follow-up (>12 months) was available for 11 horses: the outcome was poor in seven horses, good in one and excellent in three. No statistically significant association was found between TS grade (p = 0.4), number of lesions (p = 0.2) and outcome categories. Although rare, TS can cause back pain. The outcome is generally poor, but some horses may continue athletic activity despite severe lesions.
© 2025 The Author(s). Veterinary Medicine and Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2025-03-20 PubMed ID: 40109022PubMed Central: PMC11923389DOI: 10.1002/vms3.70196Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research investigates the clinical presentation, treatment, and outcome of thoracic spondylosis (TS) in horses from 2010 to 2023, which is a condition that results in back pain and osteophyte formation, impacting the animal’s athletic performance.

Research Objective and Methods

  • The purpose of this research was to understand more about the clinical features, diagnostic imaging findings, treatment methods, and the final outcome for horses diagnosed with Thoracic Spondylosis (TS).
  • The researchers carried out a retrospective investigation of the clinical records of horses diagnosed with TS spanning a period of 13 years, from 2010 to 2023.
  • Data regarding the breed characteristics, clinical and imaging findings, treatment administered, and the outcome were collected and analyzed in detail.
  • TS was graded on a scale of 1 to 5, and related details – such as concurrent pathologies, treatment approaches, and outcomes – were assessed.
  • A statistical test (Mann-Whitney test) was used to compare the median TS grade, the number of lesions found, and the outcomes.

Findings and Results

  • Out of the initial sample, 13 horses fulfilled the inclusion criteria.
  • Back pain was a common symptom among all the horses. The number of TS sites varied from one to six (avg. two) across the horses, with a total of 32 lesions identified.
  • The most affected site was the T13-T14 region, indicating a common area of TS focus.
  • Five horses showed symptoms of impingement in the dorsal spinous processes, and three showed lameness.
  • All horses received treatment that included physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, tiludronate, and extracorporeal shockwave therapy.
  • Long-term follow-up data was available for 11 horses with more than 12 months of ongoing research. The outcome was unfavorable in seven horses, satisfactory in one, and excellent in three.
  • Statistical analysis revealed no significant association between the TS grade, number of lesions, and the outcome.

Research Conclusions

  • The study concludes that while Thoracic Spondylosis (TS) is uncommon in horses, it could cause significant back pain.
  • The general outcome for horses diagnosed with TS is usually poor, affecting the ability to resume or continue athletic activity. Instances of satisfactory and excellent outcomes were relatively few.
  • Despite the presence of severe lesions, some horses managed to continue their athletic activities, possibly hinting at the varying impact of TS amongst individual horses.

Cite This Article

APA
de Secondi C, Cantatore F, Marcatili M, Biggi M, Withers J, de Zani D, Zani D. (2025). Spondylosis in Horses: Clinical Features, Diagnostic Imaging Findings, Treatment and Outcome in 13 Horses. Vet Med Sci, 11(2), e70196. https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70196

Publication

Veterinary medicine and science
ISSN: 2053-1095
NlmUniqueID: 101678837
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 2
Pages: e70196

Researcher Affiliations

de Secondi, Claudia
  • Pool House Equine Hospital, IVC Evidensia, Fradley, UK.
Cantatore, Federica
  • Pool House Equine Hospital, IVC Evidensia, Fradley, UK.
Marcatili, Marco
  • Pool House Equine Hospital, IVC Evidensia, Fradley, UK.
Biggi, Marianna
  • Pool House Equine Hospital, IVC Evidensia, Fradley, UK.
Withers, Jonathan
  • Pool House Equine Hospital, IVC Evidensia, Fradley, UK.
de Zani, Donatella
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, Lodi, Italy.
Zani, Davide
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, Lodi, Italy.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Horse Diseases / therapy
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
  • Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • Spondylosis / veterinary
  • Spondylosis / therapy
  • Spondylosis / diagnosis
  • Spondylosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Spondylosis / pathology
  • Male
  • Female
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Back Pain / veterinary
  • Back Pain / etiology
  • Back Pain / therapy
  • Thoracic Vertebrae / pathology
  • Thoracic Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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