A complex, multiregional structure composed of the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal vertebrae that plays a critical role in movement, force transmission, and athletic performance. Disorders of the equine spine, including overriding dorsal spinous processes (kissing spines), cervical articular process disease, sacroiliac dysfunction, and vertebral instability, are important causes of poor performance, back pain, and lameness.
