Meddleton Equine Hospital

Horses are not always well adjusted. While we may think some need an attitude adjustment, many may just need a chiropractic adjustment. Animals respond to pain in different ways. They can seem depressed, lose weight, or simply become less active. Some animals respond through behavioral changes; they may become more aggressive, less cooperative, or fearful. Often these changes will become more obvious during times of stress, such as after a move or after an illness or injury.

Chiropractic care for people has been available for more than one hundred years. A program established to train professionals in Veterinary Chiropractic care has only recently been available. Chiropractic science focuses on the biomechanical relationships between the vertebrae, surrounding structures, and their effects on the nervous system.

The role of the vertebral column is to support the framework of the body, and to protect the spinal cord. The spinal cord is part of the central nervous system. The nerves that supply every organ in the body, every muscle, and every tissue, originate from the spinal cord and must pass between vertebrae.

Because of this, alignment of the spine is essential for the proper functioning of the entire body. A misalignment (or subluxation) between two vertebrae can cause irritation to the surrounding tissues. The nerves then must pass through these inflamed tissues which can disrupt their signals.

A chiropractic examination identifies misalignments. Chiropractic adjustments work to realign vertebrae, thus eliminating the underlying cause of a problem. Restoring the normal functioning of the nervous system allows the body’s inherent recuperative powers to heal itself.

The goal of Chiropractic care is not to merely eliminate disease, but to facilitate optimal physical and mental well-being. Therefore, chiropractic care can be thought of as a form of routine health care, complementing conventional veterinary medicine and surgery to prevent mild problems from developing into debilitating conditions. This is particularly true for athletic, geriatric, and horses with specific health problems or predilections.

Athletic horses, like human athletes, put a lot of stress and strains on their bodies and will be more likely to have spinal misalignments. These are the horses, whether a working horse, barrel racer, race horse, or an eventing horse, that are asked to give their best performance, time and time again. And usually they will. Chiropractic adjustments can help assure they are performing at an optimal biomechanical advantage, and in comfort. Monthly adjustments are usually adequate during show seasons.

Older horses that have become stiff from arthritis can benefit, but the response will depend on the severity of the condition and how long the condition has been present. Once arthritis sets in, or horses develop a lameness for other reasons, they will compensate by changing their gait, shifting their weight, or using some other means of avoiding pain. This puts strain on other areas of the body, which in turn become locked up, stiff, or sore.

Even with chronic or severe problems which may not be correctable, by unlocking the compensating areas of the body, chiropractic care may ease the pain and greatly improve your horse’s quality of life. Many are at least able to live out a comfortable drug-free existence.

Young horses are not immune to misalignments. Between the birthing process and the typical rambunctiousness of our young companions, they often develop minor subluxations. These can be corrected, thus averting potentially long-standing problems.

Young horses in training often have a less than comfortable gait. Traditionally trainers assume that the poor coordination or one-sidedness of a green prospect are due to lack of training and discipline. Vertebral misalignments can actually be the root of the problem. They can disrupt the line of communication between a horse’s brain and its legs, thus making the horse appear uncoordinated. If the horse has subluxations causing it to be uncomfortable when trying to bend its spinal column in one direction, that horse will move more easily in the other direction. I have seen training of young prospects greatly facilitated with more rapid progress after just a few chiropractic adjustments.

Although Chiropractic care is most commonly sought to relieve pain, usually back pain, there is a myriad of different conditions that can be treated. As I stated earlier, the nerves going to every organ in the body can be disrupted by spinal misalignments. Conditions such as a subtle lameness or abnormal gait, asymmetrical sweating, immune disorders and behavioral problems often respond to chiropractic therapy.

The intent of chiropractic medicine is to set in motion the innate healing power of the body. Chiropractic care can help keep you and your horse happily doing whatever you enjoy doing together.