Page 19 - January 2022 Parker Co. 4-H Connection

4 - H H O R S E P R O J E C T
The Benefits of Chiropractic Care

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The Horse - Your Guide to Equine Healthcare
Posted by Taryn Yates, DVM | Oct 20, 2015 | Article, Back and Spine, Chiropractic, Musculoskeletal System, Other Veterinary
Technologies, Vet and Professional

Equine chiropractic care is a rapidly emerging field among veterinarians due to increasing demand from horse owners for alternative
therapies. It is an art of healing that focuses primarily on restoring the spinal column’s normal movement and function to promote
healthy neurologic activity, which in turn supports effective musculoskeletal function and overall health. Chiropractic care centers on
detecting abnormal motion of the individual vertebra and its effects on the surrounding tissues. Reduced mobility between two
vertebral bodies can irritate the nerves exiting the spinal cord, leading to decreased nerve supply to the tissues. This altered nerve
function causes problems such as pain, abnormal posture, uncoordinated movement, overloading of leg joints, and muscle changes.
It’s important when considering chiropractic care for your horse to select a practitioner that has completed the necessary education
so your horse will receive safe and effective treatment.

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS
Veterinarians are often frustrated by horses with vague lameness but no specific localized pain or with poor performance but
no obvious cause. Chiropractic provides another means of diagnosis and treatment for many musculoskeletal disorders. It can
also be used to detect subclinical conditions (those not yet causing clinical signs) or abnormal biomechanics that may
progress to more significant lameness issues. This is because disorders originating in the back can produce gait abnormalities
and increase concussive forces in lower limb joints, leading to an increased risk for developing lameness.
INDICATIONS FOR USE IN HORSES
There are many circumstances where adding chiropractic to your horse’s health care routine would be appropriate, the most
significant being signs of pain. Some pain indicators include behavior changes; abnormal posture; reduced performance; ear-
pinning or biting when being saddled; head tossing under saddle; refusing jumps; difficulty performing lateral work or
collecting; difficulty turning or working in one direction; sensitivity to touch or grooming; and chronic weight loss.Other
reasons you might pursue chiropractic care include musculoskeletal conditions that are recurring or not responding to
conventional therapy; treatment following recovery from a significant lameness or trauma; and preventive or maintenance
care for horses in training. Early implementation of chiropractic care following an injury will produce the best results.
Chiropractic can be very useful for alleviating pain in horses with chronic issues but will not reverse degenerative changes
already present. This therapy’s benefits are greatest when it’s used in conjunction with traditional veterinary care as a
preventive approach to help keep a horse balanced and performing at his best.
THE CHIROPRACTIC EXAMINATION

Each chiropractic exam should consist of obtaining a history of the patient and a physical exam involving these steps.
1. The practitioner observes the standing horse, watching for postural abnormalities, signs of discomfort, asymmetry, or
muscle wasting.
2. Spinal analysis and palpation can pinpoint areas of heat or inflammation and/or any blatant structural abnormalities. The
chiropractor palpates the back for any spinal asymmetry, spasmodic muscles, and muscle asymmetry.
3. Gait analysis is a crucial part of every chiropractic examination. Your chiropractor might implement traditional lameness
or neurologic examinations to determine whether further veterinary work-up is appropriate before continuing with the
chiropractic treatment. Chiropractic gait analysis involves evaluating spinal mobility and pelvic motion as the horse
moves. It can help the chiropractor differentiate back pain from limb abnormalities.
4. Motion palpation is the core of the exam. It consists of taking each joint through its entire range of motion to determine
if there is loss of normal motion or increased resistance to induced motion of any vertebral body.

DISCLAIMER
Chiropractic care is not intended to replace traditional veterinary care. Owners with horses experiencing acute, significant
lameness or injuries, acute neurologic conditions, fever, colic, or other medical disorders should seek care from their primary
veterinarian first.
19 PARKER COUNTY 4-H CONNECTION /JAN