Disorders of Vertebral Bodies and Disks in Horses

The most common lesion of vertebral bodies and disks in horses is ventral, ventrolateral, or lateral bony proliferation (often called vertebral spondylosis). It is found mainly in the midthoracic area (primarily between T11 and T13); it can also occur in the lumbar area.

Vertebral body and disk abnormalities can be found in subclinical horses but can also be responsible for acute pain or chronic back stiffness. Spondylosis is rare in horses and is generally not considered clinically important.

Congenital abnormalities with vertebral body deformation (triangular or trapezoidal shape) are rare in horses and usually located in the thoracic vertebrae. However, morphological variation of the caudal cervical vertebrae is quite common in warmblood breeds and has not been conclusively linked to clinical abnormality. Vertebral body osteomyelitis, with or without diskospondylitis, can also occur, most commonly in the thoracolumbar spine in foals.

Vertebral body fractures occur in horses that have had severe trauma or falls, particularly in racehorses in jumping races. Pathological fractures can also occur secondary to vertebral osteomyelitis or neoplasia. Complete or partial paraplegia results from damage to the spinal cord. The prognosis is usually grave.