Equine Spinal Pathology

Course Description

This webinar offers a comprehensive, image-rich review of equine spinal pathology across the cervical, thoracolumbar, and sacropelvic regions of the axial skeleton. Dr. Kevin Haussler surveys soft tissue, osseous, and neurologic disorders drawn from clinical cases, diagnostic imaging, and post-mortem specimens, illustrating conditions ranging from occipitoatlantoaxial malformations and cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy to supraspinous ligament desmitis, spinous process impingement, articular process osteoarthritis, and sacroiliac joint disease. Throughout the session, Dr. Haussler emphasizes how skin, fascia, muscle, ligament, joint, and neural pathology often coexist and interrelate, and challenges participants to weigh the clinical relevance of subtle versus severe findings. By the end of the session, participants will have a clearer framework for recognizing, categorizing, and interpreting spinal pathology encountered in equine practice.

Current Status

Not Enrolled

Price

$55.00

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Course Content

Introduction to Equine Spinal Pathology
Cranial Cervical Osseous
Caudal Cervical Soft Tissue
Cervical Neurologic Conditions
Cervical Injuries in Humans
Cervical Intervertebral Disk
Cervical Intervertebral Foramen
Cervical Articular Process
Cervical Joint Capsules
Thoracolumbar Skin and Fascia
Thoracolumbar Neurologic Disorders
Thoracolumbar Osseous
Sacropelvic Soft Tissue
5 Key Takeaways from Equine Spinal Pathology
Equine Spinal Pathology Close 1 Knowledge Check

Kevin K. Haussler

DVM, DC, PhD, DACVSMR
Founder

Learning Objectives

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

  1. Categorize equine spinal pathology as soft tissue, osseous, or neurologic in origin across the cervical, thoracolumbar, and sacropelvic regions.
  2. Describe the pathogenesis of common soft tissue disorders, including supraspinous ligament desmitis, sacroiliac ligament desmitis, and cervical joint capsule synovitis and fibrosis.
  3. Describe the pathogenesis of common osseous disorders, including cervical and thoracolumbar articular process osteoarthritis, spinous process impingement, vertebral body enthesophytes, and sacroiliac joint osteoarthritis.
  4. Recognize major categories of neurologic dysfunction affecting the equine spine, including cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy, cervical radiculopathy, and the different forms of ataxia.
  5. Assess the clinical relationships between osseous, soft tissue, and neuropathology when interpreting imaging findings and clinical cases.

Resources

  1. Equine Spinal Pathology Presentation Slides
  2. Haussler, K. K. (2026). Congenital Cervical Vertebral and Spinal Cord Anomalies. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice, 42(1), 133–152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cveq.2025.12.005

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