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Chiropractic for Horses.

Chiropractic for Horses.

17 July 2024

Chiropractic for Horses. When is it needed and why?

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a type of manual therapy aimed at identifying and treating blocked areas in the back and limbs of horses. Through specific adjustments, immobilized segments are treated, pain is alleviated, and receptors in the nervous system are activated. This, in turn, helps stimulate the body’s innate healing powers and improve immunity. The animal feels and moves better, performance improves in sports horses, and older animals with arthritic changes are naturally relieved of pain.

Chiropractic therapy primarily focuses on restoring normal movement and function of the spine, which helps improve neurological activity. This ensures the effective functioning of the musculoskeletal system.

Subluxation of the Vertebrae

A veterinary chiropractor diagnoses the vertebrae in the spine that do not move and negatively affect the surrounding tissues. These blocked areas are called subluxations (see image). Reduced mobility between two vertebrae (subluxation) leads to muscle spasms, pain, and sometimes pressure on the nerves exiting the spinal cord, resulting in decreased nerve impulses to the surrounding tissues. These changes lead to dysfunction of muscles and nerves, causing issues such as:

  1. Pain
  2. Poor posture
  3. Changes in gait
  4. Overloading of the joints and muscles of the limbs
  5. Changes in muscle structure
  6. Injury, as the final stage of the above cascade

When is Chiropractic Needed?

  1. Abnormal gait – shortening, tripping with hooves, imbalance in performing gaits; asynchrony in the gait (e.g., four-beat canter)
  2. Poorly developed top line muscles, atrophy in muscles somewhere on the body
  3. Reluctance to move forward while ridden, not engaging the back during arena work or jumping; difficulty lifting canter on one side; trouble performing flying changes
  4. Fighting with the transition, fighting the rider; rearing and throwing
  5. Reluctance to bend laterally or perform lateral movements
  6. Recurring injuries
  7. Older horses
  8. Chiropractic is also indicated after injury to facilitate faster recovery.

All of the above signs mean the horse has a biomechanical restriction (blockage) that could lead to injury or clinical lameness if left untreated.

Author: Dr. Elitsa Bachvarova Popova, veterinarian, certified veterinary chiropractor (IAVC - International Academy of Veterinary Chiropractors; VSC - The Veterinary Society of Chiropractors), certified veterinary acupuncturist in the Balance Method (CVA, CVBMA).

Phone: 0882 368 551

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