SportHorses.vet is an independent equine veterinary service based in Bocholt (3950), Belgium.
Specialized in equine orthopedics, sport horse medicine and performance-oriented veterinary care across Europe.
Causes in jumping horses
- Repetitive impact and mechanical overload: Constant repetition of jumps and landings can generate microtraumas in the spine, affecting the nerve roots.
- Structural vertebral problems: Conditions such as kissing spine syndrome, spondylosis, facet arthritis or vertebral subluxations can compress nerve roots.
- Neurogenic inflammation: Release of proinflammatory cytokines that sensitize root nociceptors.
- Muscular and postural imbalances: Poor biomechanics or weak core musculature can predispose to spinal inflammation.
- Trauma or falls: An improper landing or a blow can generate inflammation and compression of the nerve roots.
- Biomechanical alterations: Functional overload due to core weakness, pelvic asymmetry or musculoskeletal compensations.
- Extrinsic factors: Poorly adjusted saddles, inadequate training techniques and unstable ground.
Symptoms in jumping horses
Radiculitis manifests with clinical signs that depend on the spinal segment affected:
Thoracic and upper lumbar region (T10-L2):
- Pain on palpation of the spinous processes.
- Resistance to dorsal and lateral flexion.
- Behavioral changes, such as resistance to work, refusal to jump or irritability.
- Decreased hindfoot engagement and difficulty in swinging.
Lower lumbar and sacral region (L3-S1): - Loss of power in impulsion.
- Incoordination in jumping mechanics.
- Sensitivity in the sacroiliac joint and base of the tail.
Clinical and therapeutic management
Treatment should be multimodal, addressing inflammation, pain and underlying biomechanics:
- Pharmacologic management
- Anti-inflammatory drugs: NSAIDs (flunixin, meloxicam) for acute pain control.
- Epidural corticosteroids: methylprednisolone in ultrasound-guided infiltrations.
- Neuromodulators: neuropathic hyperalgesia.
- Regenerative therapies: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or mesenchymal stem cells in chronic injuries.
Biomechanical management and rehabilitation
Specific physiotherapy:
- Electrostimulation and neuromuscular exercises to strengthen the core.
- Passive and dynamic stretching to improve spinal flexibility.
- Hydrotherapy for controlled unloading.
Core work and progressive readaptation:
- Epiaxial musculature activation exercises (varied ground work).
- Use of bars on the floor to improve proprioception.
- Gradual reintroduction of jumping, ensuring correct biomechanics.
Adjustments in equipment and training - Evaluation and adjustment of the saddle with a specialized saddle fitter.
- Review of training surfaces and routine changes to avoid repetitive overloads.
- Implementation of changes in riding technique to reduce stress on the spine.