|
Equine Adjusting (Chiropractic)...
Chiropractic problems of the spine of horses are very common. In mild cases the outward signs are subtle and go unnoticed. In severe cases, the horse is in so much discomfort that behavior such as bucking or runing away prevent the horse from being ridden. Most cases fall in between these two extremes.
Training for animal adjusting was first offered in the mid 1980's by the newly formed American Veterinary Chiropractic Association in Hillsdale, Illinois. There are now about six hundred practitioners world-wide. Chiropractic adjusting of animals should only be performed by a doctor who is properly trained.
Click here to view Equine Spinal Anatomy
The following is a brief, basic description of equine adjusting:
Loss of Joint Mobility
When a horse is "out" of adjustment muscle spasms occur. These spasms cause pain which leads to more spasms. The pain ans spasms create a vicious cycle and the result is loss of movement in the affected joint.
Subluxation
Subluxation occurs when a joint of the spine or extremity is out of proper alignment or immobilized due to muscle spasms. Adjusting restores the normal motion and alignment of the joint.
Adjustment
The correction technique is a dynamic thrust of controlled velocity, amplitude and direction.
VIEW TREATMENT VIDEO
The signs of subluxation tend to fall into three caterories:
- Behavior - crabby attidude, uncooperative.
- Overt - won't take a lead, cinchy/girthy, ear shy.
- Subtle - lack of impulsion, unwilling to bend, poor transitions.
Lack of flexibility, poor extension, stiff gaits, painful withers, sore back, shoulder stiffness, lameness, sensitive over back, objection to grooming over ribs, tail held to side, tail wringing, dropping leads, bucking, running off, poor times in speed events, and general stiffness are signs commonly reported. Sometimes the horse will "warm out" of the symptoms.
Causes of subluxations include: injuries, spontaneously occuring, improper saddle fit, being ridden, poor conformation, lack of fitness for intended use, abusive training methods, strenuous work, insufficient rest, imbalanced rider and trauma-accidents. Lack of knowledge, common sense, compassion and/or patience by the handler may contribute to all of the above.
Safety when performed by someone who is properly trained, adjusting is very safe for the horse.
Frequency One session of adjusting may be all that is needed, but usually two or three sessions may be necessary. Some owners and trainers elect to have their horses adjusted every one to three months to maintain top performance.
Massage For relieving body soreness, the concurrent use of therapeutic massage and adjusting yields the best results.
Complementary Care animal adjusting should be combined with conventional veterinary care, proper hoof maintainance, patient, non-injurious training methods, and common sense, to maintain a happy, healthy horse.
RECOMMENDATION:
Check your saddle fit!
Contact us for more info
|
|
|
