The Fourth Sir Frederick Hobday Memorial Lecture. Back problems in the horse–a look at past, present and future progress.
Abstract: The horse is predisposed to back injury by virtue of the type of work and intensity of competition
to which it is subjected nowadays. This paper reviews some of the inherent difficulties in establishing meaningful criteria for the diagnosis and treatment of these injuries. It highlights some
of the large gaps in knowledge, particularly in relation to the causative factors involved and the
biomechanics of the equine spine. One controversial area in diagnosis and treatment concerns
the possible subluxation of vertebral dorsal spinous processes and their subsequent reposition by
means of manipulation. From an anatomical standpoint movement or subluxation of these
structures would seem to be impossible without causing drastic disruption of the vertebral column.
Many of the back problems presented are associated with soft tissue damage to the muscles
and ligaments of the thoracolumbar spine. In spite of this there is considerable value in radiography of these cases because the elimination of bony damage can be a helpful aid to prognosis.
There is an extensive range of different techniques available for treatment of back injuries although
there is a dearth of controlled studies to assess their efficiency objectively. The simple recourse
to a period of rest is often beneficial and there is good evidence that spontaneous recovery occurs
in many cases.
Publication Date: 1979-07-01 PubMed ID: 158523DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1979.tb01324.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article discusses the prevalence of back problems in horses due to the nature of their work and competition and the challenges in diagnosing and treating these injuries. It also highlights the areas of knowledge in need of further research, including the biomechanics of the equine spine and the possible subluxation of vertebral dorsal spinous processes.
Horses and Back Problems
- This research paper focuses on the condition of back problems among horses, recognizing that horses nowadays are highly susceptible to these due to the strain of their work and severe competition.
- The paper observes that understanding the issues and devising relevant treatments pose various challenges, associated especially with defining clear and effective diagnostic and treatment criteria.
Insufficient Knowledge and Controversy
- The paper calls attention to the significant gaps in knowledge on this subject, particularly as regards the factors causing these back problems and the mechanics of the equine spinal column.
- The research paper also addresses a contentious area in diagnosis and treatment related to the potential subluxation (partial dislocation) of the spines on the dorsal (back) side of the vertebrae and the prospect of their repositioning through manipulation.
- The article raises skepticism about the feasibility of these structures’ movement or subluxation without resulting in significant disruption to the vertebral column from an anatomical standpoint.
Soft Tissue Damage and the Role of Radiography
- The article also reports that many of the back issues are accompanied by soft tissue damage in the muscles and ligaments around the thoracolumbar spine, which is the horse’s mid to lower back region.
- Despite this, the paper posits the value of radiographic investigations, as these can be used effectively to rule out bone injuries and thereby aid in prognosis.
The Efficiency of Treatment Techniques and the Value of Rest
- The article also assesses the lack of rigorous, controlled studies evaluating the efficiency of the various techniques available for treating back injuries in horses.
- Nonetheless, it recognizes the benefits of simple rest, citing solid evidence that many cases experience spontaneous recovery.
Cite This Article
APA
Jeffcott LB.
(1979).
The Fourth Sir Frederick Hobday Memorial Lecture. Back problems in the horse–a look at past, present and future progress.
Equine Vet J, 11(3), 129-136.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1979.tb01324.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Back Injuries
- Back Pain / diagnosis
- Back Pain / therapy
- Back Pain / veterinary
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses / physiology
- Ligaments, Articular / injuries
- Lumbar Vertebrae / injuries
- Lumbar Vertebrae / physiology
- Muscles / injuries
- Physical Therapy Modalities / veterinary
- Rest
- Spinal Injuries / diagnosis
- Spinal Injuries / therapy
- Spinal Injuries / veterinary
- Sprains and Strains / diagnosis
- Sprains and Strains / therapy
- Sprains and Strains / veterinary
- Thoracic Vertebrae / injuries
- Thoracic Vertebrae / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 13 times.- Hausberger M, Lesimple C, Henry S. Detecting Welfare in a Non-Verbal Species: Social/Cultural Biases and Difficulties in Horse Welfare Assessment. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jul 30;11(8).
- MacKechnie-Guire R, Pfau T. Differential Rotational Movement of the Thoracolumbosacral Spine in High-Level Dressage Horses Ridden in a Straight Line, in Sitting Trot and Seated Canter Compared to In-Hand Trot. Animals (Basel) 2021 Mar 20;11(3).
- Stomp M, d'Ingeo S, Henry S, Lesimple C, Cousillas H, Hausberger M. EEG individual power profiles correlate with tension along spine in horses. PLoS One 2020;15(12):e0243970.
- Hausberger M, Lerch N, Guilbaud E, Stomp M, Grandgeorge M, Henry S, Lesimple C. On-Farm Welfare Assessment of Horses: The Risks of Putting the Cart before the Horse. Animals (Basel) 2020 Feb 25;10(3).
- Sénèque E, Lesimple C, Morisset S, Hausberger M. Could posture reflect welfare state? A study using geometric morphometrics in riding school horses. PLoS One 2019;14(2):e0211852.
- Sénèque E, Morisset S, Lesimple C, Hausberger M. Testing optimal methods to compare horse postures using geometric morphometrics. PLoS One 2018;13(10):e0204208.
- Gunji M, Endo H. Functional cervicothoracic boundary modified by anatomical shifts in the neck of giraffes. R Soc Open Sci 2016 Feb;3(2):150604.
- Lesimple C, Fureix C, Biquand V, Hausberger M. Comparison of clinical examinations of back disorders and humans' evaluation of back pain in riding school horses. BMC Vet Res 2013 Oct 15;9:209.
- Fureix C, Menguy H, Hausberger M. Partners with bad temper: reject or cure? A study of chronic pain and aggression in horses. PLoS One 2010 Aug 26;5(8):e12434.
- Lesimple C, Fureix C, Menguy H, Hausberger M. Human direct actions may alter animal welfare, a study on horses (Equus caballus). PLoS One 2010 Apr 28;5(4):e10257.
- Jastrzębska E, Dobbek D, Pawłowska A. The Effect of Magnetotherapy on Back Pain Sensitivity and Muscle Tension in Recreational Horses-A Pilot Study. Animals (Basel) 2025 Dec 26;16(1).
- Pilati N, Pressanto MC, Palumbo Piccionello A, De Angelis Corvi F, Beccati F. Impinging and Overriding Spinous Processes in Horses: A Narrative Review. Animals (Basel) 2025 Sep 13;15(18).
- Grandgeorge M, Lerch N, Delarue A, Hausberger M. From Human Perception of Good Practices to Horse (Equus Caballus) Welfare: Example of Equine-Assisted Activities. Animals (Basel) 2024 Sep 2;14(17).
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