Horse Chiropractic Care Basics

Horse owners are also typically horse lovers. Taking on the responsibility of caring for a horse means that you are really fond of the animal—after all, looking after a horse involves a great deal more work and effort than taking care of most any other type of animal. Horse owners more often than not treat their animals very well, with routines in place for their daily care. Nevertheless, no one can take care of everything—and this is why horse owners always have a trusted veterinarian on call.

What some horse owners may not realize, however, is that it is just as important to have a dependable horse chiropractor close by. Horse chiropractors—also called equine chiropractors—can be invaluable in helping horses with many different types of physical ailments and injuries.

Does a Horse Chiropractor Replace a Veterinarian?

No. Horse owners still need to have a veterinarian. As a matter of fact, reputable horse chiropractors will not treat horses that have not first been examined by veterinarians. This is because a condition only a veterinarian would be able to diagnose through the types of testing he can do could be the cause of the symptoms that the horse is showing. That needs to be ruled out before a horse chiropractor steps in to do his assessment and treatment of the horse.

Spinal Adjustments on Horses

Horses are rather large animals. Many people wonder how it could be possible for a chiropractic doctor to perform any type of manipulation on a large animal like that. Horse chiropractors do this in a few different ways.

One way is the quick thrust method. The chiropractor very quickly directs a low force thrust at a very specific joint or area along the spine. Another way is to use the momentum of the horse in making the manipulation happen on its own. There is a third way—but, it is unacceptable to any legitimate, reputable horse chiropractor. The third method involves using tools such as mallets or baseball bats with which to direct a powerful thrust at a specific joint or spinal area. This method can end up doing more harm than good.

How Many Treatments are Necessary?

It varies from horse to horse. Horse chiropractic care may involve just one or two treatments, or it could involve a dozen. It depends upon the severity of the horse’s problem along with the age of the horse and any other issues the horse may have.