Equine Chiropractic
Chiropractic therapy is becoming a very common and accepted treatment option for our horses. Most respond quickly to an adjustment and owners are able to see a difference in their horse's movements soon after the adjustment.
One of the most common symptoms of a vertebral subluxation complex (or VSC) exhibited by a horse is mild to moderate pain. It may be manifested as general stiffness, reduced performance, abnormal posture, reluctance to be saddled or ridden, behavior change, decreased poll flexion or muscle atrophy.
Horses that exhibit subtle lameness for a few days for unexplained reasons may be suffering from an acute VSC. The lameness may resolve itself in a few days, but the VSC will remain as the body learns to compensate for the abnormal input it is receiving. Allowing the body to compensate on its own for that VSC can cause an acute problem to become a chronic one.
If a horse has had VSC's for a long period of time, one adjustment may not be enough to correct them. The muscles and soft tissues surrounding a VSC reset themselves over time conforming to the malalignment. Once a VSC is treated, the muscles and nerves need time to realign themselves, so more chronic problems may require a greater number of treatments.
Many common equine problems can benefit from chiropractic care. Some of the problems treated most often are:
After your horse's appointment, she may need a day or two of rest to allow her system to revert to its normal state. If your horse is used to being in work everyday, then she will have the remainder of the day after her adjustment off and a light work day the day after. She can then resume her normal work routine.
One of the most common symptoms of a vertebral subluxation complex (or VSC) exhibited by a horse is mild to moderate pain. It may be manifested as general stiffness, reduced performance, abnormal posture, reluctance to be saddled or ridden, behavior change, decreased poll flexion or muscle atrophy.
Horses that exhibit subtle lameness for a few days for unexplained reasons may be suffering from an acute VSC. The lameness may resolve itself in a few days, but the VSC will remain as the body learns to compensate for the abnormal input it is receiving. Allowing the body to compensate on its own for that VSC can cause an acute problem to become a chronic one.
If a horse has had VSC's for a long period of time, one adjustment may not be enough to correct them. The muscles and soft tissues surrounding a VSC reset themselves over time conforming to the malalignment. Once a VSC is treated, the muscles and nerves need time to realign themselves, so more chronic problems may require a greater number of treatments.
Many common equine problems can benefit from chiropractic care. Some of the problems treated most often are:
- Short striding/poor gait
- General arthritis
- Refusals/bucking
- Hunter's/Jumper's bump
- Roach back
- Kissing spines
- Laminitis
- Navicular disease
- Post-partum weakness/paresis
- Upward fixating patella
- Wobbler syndrome
- Muscle imbalance or atrophy
- Disc Disease
After your horse's appointment, she may need a day or two of rest to allow her system to revert to its normal state. If your horse is used to being in work everyday, then she will have the remainder of the day after her adjustment off and a light work day the day after. She can then resume her normal work routine.
