I ask because a friend had to put her horse down due to KS. He was only about 12 or 13 and after he collapsed the second time while being ridden she had him put down.
He was of Seattle Slew breeding and although he (Slew) probably didn’t have it, I’m wondering if her new horse of the same breeding would be predisposed to KS. He’s a lovely guy and so far is coming along with his training (OTTB) just super. I am concerned she might be in for some heartbreak down the line if this is the case.
Recent research seems to confirm that it IS hereditary.
Seattle Slew had two neck fusion surgeries, so yes, he absolutely had spinal problems.
Ah. Okay thanks. I wonder if she knows it too.
The study in the link said that Warmbloods, TBs, and stock horse breeds are more predisposed but then is goes on to say that the height and weight have a lot to do with it. Here’s the quote: “…as a horse gets taller and body mass increases, more forces are exerted across the back, and the soft tissue structures supporting the back do not increase in strength accordingly.” I’m curious about that because stock horse breeds are generally fairly small, 15 to 16 hands, so I am assuming in their case, the chromosomes referenced are the culprits.
The research has not yet scientifically confirmed a genetic link, despite the headline of the linked article. Their “control” horses for the study were only chosen based on them “not having back issues” - they were not checked radiographically to determine if they actually had kissing spines. Previous, peer reviewed, published research showed that many horses (20-40% depending on the study) have kissing spine on x-rays yet have no back pain or issues.
The increased awareness of KS has dramatically increased it’s perceived prevalence and many TBs have the same sires in their pedigrees because those sires are super popular for TB breeding. Yes, it is possible that one or more of those popular sires are passing on KS, but it is scientifically equally possible that they aren’t and it’s just their prevalence in pedigrees along with the increase in KS diagnoses and back x-rays in general the make it seem like they are passing on KS.
KS is manageable in many cases, even if it is causing issues. There are multiple types of surgery available that have fairly high success rates and there are horses competing at the highest level of performance (e.g. Grand Prix dressage and 4* eventing) that have KS and have not had, or needed, surgery. There are many non-surgical approaches to treatment and management that are also often very successful.
Seattle Slew Neck Surgery
“Seattle Slew, the only living winner of Thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown and the oldest living Kentucky Derby winner, underwent surgery to fuse two arthritic joints in his neck on Saturday, March 2, in Lexington, Ky. This is the second operation of this type the 28-year-old stallion has needed. The first surgery was done in early 2000.”
Seattle Slew was a senior horse in his mid and late 20’s when he had his neck surgeries. He was born in 1974, so he must be fairly far back in your friend’s horses’s pedigree.
He collapsed while ridden so had to be euthanized? Was he falling on the ground?
That recent thread about C6/C7 malformation makes me think there was more going on in this case than KS.
I didn’t see it but she told me that’s what happened. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was more going on than just KS.
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