Equine Chiropractic
The increasing demands of Equestrian sport are pushing the equine athlete to the extremes of its physiological and mental limits. Regular tailored equine chiropractic treatment is one of the best ways to keep your horse working at their best.
When should you consider equine chiropractic treatment?
All horses are likely to have musculoskeletal problems, whether they are used for sport, breeding, therapy or just as pets at some point in their life.
Domestication has meant that horses’ life spans has increased drastically, and because of this chiropractic should be a vital part of their health care.
Misalignments can be caused by acute incidents such as a slip, trip, or fall, or overzealous playing in the field. Previous or current ill-fitting saddles, reins or bits, dental issues, bad hoof health or hoof imbalance, conformational and rider imbalances can all lead a horse to have chronic issues.
Veterinary Chiropractic looks at the whole neurological and musculoskeletal system and then rider too. This means that it can help with a wide range of ridden as well as often behavioural issues. Not only does this make chiropractic a brilliant way to aid exercise recovery rates, it also has the potential to enhance performance, prevent injury, and achieve optimum performance.
For animals that have recently given birth a check-up treatment is a great idea to ensure there are no ongoing problems and the puppies are well and healthy.
Symptoms to look out for
Change in behaviour is a big indicator (Horses may start to resent being tacked up, rugged or ridden or there may a change in their way of going – bucking, refusing to jump etc)
Asymmetries, such as stiffness on one rein
Unexplained deterioration in usual performance
Lack of impulsion, struggling to work through from behind, unwillingness to go forward, not covering the ground
Unwilling to extend
Refusing at jumps, frequently knocking jumps down, reluctant to jump through combinations or over spreads, not travelling through the air
Rushing into canter, going disunited, striking off incorrectly, bunny hopping
Stumbling/tripping
Sore or cold backed
Uneven pressure from saddle or the saddle slipping to one side
Unexplained resistance, such as napping, rearing, refusing, bucking, etc
Uneven muscle development or atrophy
Stiff or un-level, either in front or behind
Chronic degenerative issues
Recurring lameness, suspensory ligament issues etc
Uneven wear of shoes, frequently loosing the same shoe
Benefits of chiropractic for horses
Treatment using equine chiropractic techniques can go a long way in alleviating, preventing and treating such problems. Most horse owners and equestrians reported the following in their horses after chiropractic care:
Increased flexibility and joint movement and mobility
Increased stride length and evenness
Horses seem more settled when tacked and ridden
‘Problem-horses’ were more easy to handle
They are more aware of their body in space (less or no more stumbling/tripping)
Smoother in all the gates and better engagement
An increase in muscle elasticity
Improved co-ordination
Relaxation and a decrease in stress levels
Relief from discomfort
Increased rate of healing
Quicker recovery from exercise
A decrease in post-exercise muscle soreness
Helping to prevent muscle strain
Providing excellent pre and post-exercise stretches/exercises