Equine
Chiropractic
Services
Chiropractic
Services
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| *Disclaimer* Whenever considering Equine Chiropractic Care for your horse, it is important that you first discuss the appropriateness of this type of care with your Veterinarian. If your Veterinarian examines your horse and feels Chiropractic Care is appropriate, Dr. Jill is available to assist in a healing solution. |
About Equine Animal Chiropractic
Animal Chiropractic deals with the musculo-skeletal system, primarily the spine and the
relationship of the spine with the nervous system.
The spine is a collection of irregular bones called vertebrae, that fit together in a specific
order and articulate with each other through one or more pairs of facet joints, allowing
movement while protecting the spinal cord. The spine allows range of motion in several
planes, such as lowering and raising the head (flexion/ extension), bending the neck and
body from side to side (lateral flexion), and shaking the head (rotation), just to name a few.
Discs are present between each vertebrae to absorb the shock & concussion produced by
movement. The horse's spine, unlike the human's or dog's, is a more rigid structure, with
the majority of movement being in the neck and in the lumbar area just in front of where the
spine connects to the pelvis (equivalent to our hips).
The spinal cord runs through the spinal column with nerves that exit between the vertebrae,
from the intervertebral foramin. As these nerves exit the spine, they divide into various
branches and go to the joints, muscles, internal organs and skin. Nerve impulses travel
from the brain and spinal cord, out of the spinal nerves to all parts of the body. Similarly
nerve impulses travel back to the brain via the peripheral nerves and spinal cord carrying
information as to the relative states of all the various areas of the body.
Animal Chiropractic deals with the musculo-skeletal system, primarily the spine and the
relationship of the spine with the nervous system.
The spine is a collection of irregular bones called vertebrae, that fit together in a specific
order and articulate with each other through one or more pairs of facet joints, allowing
movement while protecting the spinal cord. The spine allows range of motion in several
planes, such as lowering and raising the head (flexion/ extension), bending the neck and
body from side to side (lateral flexion), and shaking the head (rotation), just to name a few.
Discs are present between each vertebrae to absorb the shock & concussion produced by
movement. The horse's spine, unlike the human's or dog's, is a more rigid structure, with
the majority of movement being in the neck and in the lumbar area just in front of where the
spine connects to the pelvis (equivalent to our hips).
The spinal cord runs through the spinal column with nerves that exit between the vertebrae,
from the intervertebral foramin. As these nerves exit the spine, they divide into various
branches and go to the joints, muscles, internal organs and skin. Nerve impulses travel
from the brain and spinal cord, out of the spinal nerves to all parts of the body. Similarly
nerve impulses travel back to the brain via the peripheral nerves and spinal cord carrying
information as to the relative states of all the various areas of the body.
Knowing your horse and their usual character can help you to identify if the horse has a
problem and may need Chiropractic treatment. In general, horses like to please. So
changes in attitude and their normal behavior can often be indicators of pain or discomfort.
Some specific indications shown by the horse that there is a problem or an injury that may
need treatment by a chiropractor include:
Trauma is the most obvious cause (such as getting cast in the stall)
* To eliminate problems associated with saddle fit, check out the flex tree
saddles offered at www.debrasibleysaddles.com
problem and may need Chiropractic treatment. In general, horses like to please. So
changes in attitude and their normal behavior can often be indicators of pain or discomfort.
Some specific indications shown by the horse that there is a problem or an injury that may
need treatment by a chiropractor include:
- Unlevelness, especially in the pelvis or shoulders
- Uneven wear of shoes
- Asymmetry, such as stiffness to one side, or a disunited canter or cross-firing
- Sore areas along the spine, being cold backed
- Lameness after a fall or other accident, where alternative causes have been
eliminated - Unexplained deterioration in usual performance
- Uncharacteristic changes in behaviour or temperament e.g. rearing, bucking,
refusing the gate, "cinchy" when saddled
Common problems and causes:
Trauma is the most obvious cause (such as getting cast in the stall)
- A fall, half-fall or slip while turning, cornering, or jumping
- Horses can also damage their backs by falling off the side of a ramp while being
loaded into a trailer, or being thrown down or jarred in the trailer while hauled - Slipping on ice, mud, smooth roads and slick grass
- poorly fitting saddles, tack or harnesses, tight brow bands
- Sore mouths will cause the horse to work with the head raised and the back
hollowed to get away from the pain
* To eliminate problems associated with saddle fit, check out the flex tree
saddles offered at www.debrasibleysaddles.com
Competitive Edge Chiropractic
| (405) 818-2252 |
