Chiropractor For My Horse?

First and foremost, chiropractic methods arechiropractor.
often mistaken for acupuncture. However, thisMost horse owners seeking equine chiropractic
type of therapy is based upon the relationshiptreatment complain most commonly that their
between the animal's body and spinal column andhorse has a sore back. Or stiffness in the neck
its nervous system. It is not acupuncture.when turning in a certain direction. Stiffness
Over the past decade various alternativethrough the body when turning in a certain
therapies have been brought into the mainstreamdirection, or failing to pick up a lead. For some, it
of veterinary medicine. One such alternativecan be merely a change in attitude about saddling.
therapy is equine chiropractic care. EquineEquine chiropractic care offers many benefits to
practitioners have remained skeptical, for thethe equine patient. It does not replace veterinary
most part, in the benefits of this type of care.care. However, many horse owners now realize
Admittedly, it is difficult for the veterinarian tothat these and other performance-related
imagine how the huge frame of the horse can betroubles sometimes cannot be diagnosed through
manipulated in such a fashion as to "adjust" astandard physical examinations. There are also
skeletal abnormality.instances whereby anti-inflammatories, muscle
Recently, however, a few brave specialists haverelaxants, even joint injections and time off do
undertaken equine chiropractic care in such anot improve the situation with the horse. Many
manner that the veterinary profession isvets are now turning to equine chiropractic to
rethinking the whole issue. There are nowenhance their diagnostic abilities.
documented cases where chiropractic manipulationIt has been found that equine chiropractic care
of a horse was a welcomed therapeutic measurehas been successful in
that brought relief where everything else had- detecting and treating gait abnormalities and
failed. If you yourself decide to give chiropractic aother performance problems in the athletic horse.
chance, please ensure you locate someone with- alleviating pain in their back and neck.
the proper credentials. The American Veterinary- reducing pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Chiropractic Association should be able to assist- identifying horses that have chronic back and
you.neck problems
The equine vertebral column is a flexible structure- assessing the potential that a horse may have
that permits the horse to lower its head, arch itsfor success in a particular endeavor, whether race
back, and bend laterally. The vertebral column ishorse or trail ride horse.
also subject to outside-of-self movements andBut, how can you move bones on anything as
forces from compression, tension, verticallarge and strong as a horse? Some equine
pressure, and horizontal pressure. Some of thesechiropractors use dynamic adjustments, while
can includeothers adjust the spinal vertebrae through
- a faulty or poorly fitting saddle.movement generated by the horse itself. When
- Improper riding.an adjustment is successful, many horses will
- Improper shoeing.show signs of relaxation. Horses may lower their
- Trauma.heads, get a glazed look in their eyes, yawn, and
- Any leg problem that causes the horse toseem to enjoy their treatment.
compensate. This compensation travels throughRemember, as with everything, equine chiropractic
the spinal column.treatment does not replace veterinary care.
- Even the type of performance work that theHowever, it may enhance it. As always, it is your
horse does can result in the need of an equinedecision.