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Back pain is a well-recognised contributor to reduced performance in sport horses. However, the precise relationship between clinical signs of back discomfort and radiographic abnormalities of the spine remains poorly defined.
A recent descriptive observational study, published in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, aimed to characterise radiographic findings of the thoracolumbar spinous processes in actively competing Warmblood show jumpers and to assess any associations with performance outcomes.
The study evaluated 100 Warmblood jumping horses, all competing in 2018, with a median fence height of 1.35 m (mean 1.3 m; range 0.90–1.60 m). All horses included were free from observable lameness and neurological deficits. Lateral radiographs of the thoracolumbar spine were obtained and assessed by four independent observers, who graded each image for the presence and severity (absent, mild, moderate-to-severe) of four specific abnormalities: narrowed interspinous spaces, sclerosis, lucency, and enthesopathy.
Inter-observer agreement was assessed using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC), revealing moderate to good consistency across observers.
In addition to radiographic evaluation, signalment, years of competition, current level of performance, and highest career performance level were recorded for each horse. These variables were then analysed for correlation with radiographic findings.
Strikingly, no horse in the study population was entirely free from radiographic abnormalities, highlighting the high prevalence of such changes among active sport horses. Narrowed interspinous spaces and sclerosis were the most commonly observed findings, predominantly located between thoracic vertebrae T15 and lumbar vertebra L1. Enthesopathy was most frequently identified at the withers, specifically between T8 and T13.
Despite the high prevalence of abnormalities, the research team found no significant correlations between radiographic changes and the horse's age, current performance level, or total years of competition (p > 0.05). Interestingly, the highest career performance level showed a weak but statistically significant positive correlation with the presence of narrowed interspinous spaces and sclerosis. These findings suggest that some radiographic abnormalities may not only be tolerated by high-performing horses but could also reflect adaptive or age-related changes without clinical relevance.
In conclusion, mild radiographic changes of the thoracolumbar spinous processes—particularly narrowing of interspinous spaces and sclerosis—were commonly observed in this cohort of active Warmblood jumpers. Importantly, these findings were not associated with impaired performance, indicating that such abnormalities, when mild and absent of clinical signs, may not adversely impact athletic function.
For more details, see:
M.P. Kerbert, S.S. le Jeune, K.L. Philips, K.L. Shaw, C.A. Erickson, P. Espinosa-Mur,
Mild radiographic abnormalities of thoracolumbar spinous processes are not associated with decreased performance in 100 Warmblood jumping horses in active competition,
Journal of Equine Veterinary Science,(2025)
Vol 147, 105366,
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