Chiropractic for horses works on exactly the same principles as it does for humans: problems with the movement patterns in any joint will cause pain and stiffness and this will lead to poor neurological function and muscle health. Chiropractors are trained to identify areas of dysfunction, and treat them with a variety of techniques including spinal adjustments (manipulation), myofascial release, stretches and strengthening exercises.
How do I know if my horse has a problem?
Changes in behaviour are one of the biggest indicators that your horse will use to show you that it is in pain. Examples of such changes include:
Snapping/pinning ears back
Lameness and loss of performance
Head shy/tight in pole
Sensitivity to touch
Hollowing through the back
Tripping up/choppy stride
Abnormal posture
Lack of engagement
‘Cold backed’
Refusal to jump
Disunited canter
Heavy on the hand
Inability to strike off on one rein
Not progressing with training
Saddle is slipping
Why do horses get musculoskeletal problems?
Every day, the work we ask our horses to do can impact their spinal health, and this can be exacerbated by the environment that they live in. The modern day sport horse could not be further from the prairie that they were designed to amble around on all day, without carrying the weight of a rider.
The following examples are causes of a decline in spinal health in horses:
- Trauma – falls, slips in the field, getting kicked or cast in the stable
- Performance – repetitive disciplined training, concussive force from jumping or working on poor surfaces
- Rider – does a crooked rider make a crooked horse or vice versa? The rider MUST be balanced in order to allow the horse to move correctly.
- Transport – long distances, emergency stops, slipping off ramps – can all cause a tweak, or aggravate an old injury/area of weakness.
- Shoes - “no foot, no horse”. Poor shoeing and hoof care will alter the biomechanics of the leg, which will change movement patterns throughout the body.
- Saddle – one of the most frequent causes of problems comes from poorly fitting saddles. Horses will guard themselves from pain, and may start to refuse work, or buck. White marks, most commonly found around the wither, are signs that the horse has suffered trauma as a result of poor saddle fit.
- Lack of movement – movement stimulates blood flow, lymphatic drainage and most importantly, the nervous system. Lack of movement will lead to an increase in joint and muscular tension.
- Age – Older horses may have arthritic changes, muscular wastage, and be in pain from old injuries. Older horses benefit hugely from chiropractic care!
- Birthing difficulties - Births which required intervention where the foal was forcibly extracted, can cause pelvic issues in the mare. The foal would also benefit from being checked!