For The Naysayers Regarding Chiro For Horses...

[EqTrainer]

.. one of my dressage horses had recently developed a very slight head tilt on the left rein. Had the chiro scheduled to come out but she could not come for a few weeks.

So yesterday evening I did some standing flexions with him prior to riding. He is usually very supple in the poll so I usually don't do this with him, but he hadn't been ridden in a few days so why not...

Worked left first, nothing unusual for him on the right side.

Turned him to the right and as I am working down the left side of his neck all of a sudden it goes BAM! Snap snap snap BAM!

Horse puts his head down.. chews.. sighs...

I get on and the head tilt is GONE. Just GONE. Happy, relaxed, supple horse.

Standing flexions can be like the razor in the monkeys hand.. for the average person it would have been much better for a chiropractor to find the stuck spot and release it.. or a good massage person. Just think, under normal circumstances his head tilt would have been either not noticed, or said to be a training problem, or maybe even his teeth, or bridle fit, or bitting issue.. or maybe just "he's heavy in that rein"...

anyway. Even if I didn't believe, I would after seeing/hearing/feeling that. Food for thought.

[JB]

Agree! :yes::yes:

[kookicat]

I've seen the benifits of a good chiro on myself, so why not give the horses that same benifit? :)

[Jleegriffith]

One of the CANTER horses came in and was very one sided. He was a stallwalker (walks counter clockwise) and he was stiff as a board to the right and had no right lead. He tried hard but it physically was difficult for him to bend that way. One session with the chiro and he immediately started to pick up the right lead and bend right. I had been a believer before but seeing the difference in this horse really illustrated how a good chiropactor can speed up training results just by getting the horse comfortable. I swear the horse become happier after his adjustment.

[ChocoMare]

I already know how a good, qualified Non-Quack Chiropractor helps me, so wanted to find an equally good one for my horses.

Naturally I consulted the COTH family and found the only "certified" equine chiro in the greater metro-Atlanta area.

Since the day I got my Clyde-X I never saw her stand four square...the right rear was always stepped forward. Bending to her right was also a challenge.

20 Minutes of work by Dr. Heidi, including the final SNAP from a very out of whack sternum (wherein the mare pinned her ears and swung her head around to whack the doc) saw the mare with her head down, eyes half closed and sighing with relief. Dr. Heidi stepped back and said "Gee, you'd better get the Ace. She's gonna explode any minute." :lol: (Mare was about asleep on her feet :sleepy: :winkgrin: Her hip, SI, 3 ribs, sternum and jaw were allll out of whack on that right side. Mare moves like a dream boat now :D

[meaty ogre]

EqT, how long have you observed your chiro before you felt comfortable doing the flexions on your own?
I have several that I think would benefit from a chiropractic visit. I need to find one and set up the appointment. I'd be really happy if I could watch 5-10 times and then pick up some things I could do on my own.

[ridenslide]

EqT--I am with YOU!!!:yes:

My reiner Would NOT bend to the right this summer on his right circles-ran with his neck bent totally to the outside.He had always run a little bit that way to stay on lead.I thougt it was his hocks REALLY bothering him.Yeah,really stupid me.
His body was bent the correct way, so it was bizarre.
IT REALLY clicked when I saw our spin pictures- same thing.I had NEVER seen THAT before in any horse.THAT was not hocks.
What it was was his withers!!
D'oh.
The difference was IMMEDIATE!
And has continued.
I feel SOO bad.:sadsmile:
I guess he has forgiven me.
He looks & is going better than EVER!(Now that he recovered from his psycho horse episode when Scooby went to the Vet School!)

[ThoroughbredFancy]

A good chiro can just be so good for a horse.

I love my chiro. He's coming out next week since my OTTB is a little more stiff and sore in the pelvis area. (He's had it out of whack before and I think it is again) He does and adjustment followed my some acupuncture and my horse feels great after.

We are also having a "stretching" clinic at my barn my another chiro soon so it will be nice to pic up some more pre-riding stretches to do. Especially since my OTTB is stiffer in the cold months.

And hey, I don't blame him, I am too!

[Ibex]

We have a WONDERFUL Chiro who is also a vet and competitive endurance rider, so she really "gets it". She's not local (comes to the area once a month or so), and always sets the owners up with stretches/maintenance programs as well.

[BornToRide]

It is not so much about the work but how it is applied! The slower a chiro goes and allows tight muscles to release (that cause the problem tpo begin with), the faster, easier and longer lasting the adjustment will be.

Ideally a horse should be massaged first to address the offending muscles. Often that alone will cause adjustments of its own.

Stay away from any chiro that bullies his/her way into the critter, human or otherwise! They can do damage .

I also have had several human clients who have gone through all of the usual treatments for body issues, adjustments, deep tissue, PT, etc. and they keep telling me that the fascial release technique I apply tends to give the most and longest lasting relieve. :yes:

[JB]

EqT, how long have you observed your chiro before you felt comfortable doing the flexions on your own?
What you may not know is that ET has a gift for seeing inside the horse, and even if she's never seen a particular problem, she can (not always!) trace it using what she *does* know to try to find the root. I doubt she'd say that, 'cause that would make her sound self-important :lol: but I've seen her do it with my horse. She's helped me find spasms in my horse that were not originating where the spasm was, but rather in some linked area - sort of like the old tin can/string "phone".

I have several that I think would benefit from a chiropractic visit. I need to find one and set up the appointment. I'd be really happy if I could watch 5-10 times and then pick up some things I could do on my own.
If you watch enough adjustments on your horse, talk to the chiro (who has to be willing to talk back) about what things are commonly out, then while it's not a given that you can pick up on specifica formal chiropractic moves, there may be some things you can to do cause an adjustment. For example, a "fly bite" exercise can help the neck self-adjust as the horse whips his head around to bite the "fly" on his shoulder (which is your finger tickling him). I do this regularly with my horse, and sometimes have to really sneak up on him to get him to absolutely reactively bring his neck around to put something back in place. I know when he's "out" because he'll figure out my game and swing his head around slowly and purposefully. So, I have to leave it alone for a bit and sneak it in several minutes later so he'll whip his head around without any tension in his neck. Works every time, and he takes a big breath and does a lot of chewing.

[meaty ogre]

Oh, boy would I love to be one of those "clairvoyant" types. I have horrible timing in just about everything, and am constantly finding myself 3-5 steps behind everyone (people, dogs, horses, etc.). I'm usually a good 10 steps behind my TB. :)

With 5 horses, 4 of whom could benefit from a chiro, it's hard to budget them all in. Anything I can pick up to be able to do myself would be a blessing.

[JB]

To help you out, I HIGHLY recommend these 2 books:

Beating Muscle Injuries for Horses, Jack Meagher
http://www.amazon.com/Beating-muscle-injuries-horses-correction/dp/B00070QZAC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1225397255&sr=1-1

Equine Structural Integration: Myofascial Release Manual, James Pascucci
http://www.amazon.com/Equine-Structural-Integration-Myofascial-Release/dp/0979053501/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1225397305&sr=1-1

SO many skeletal issues can be resolve and avoided if you can address some of the common causes of them, which lie in the muscles.

And, not everything about a horse being unable to bend his neck, for example, is because some joint is "out". Many things are merely muscle/myofascia related.

Awesome awesome books, easy reads, easy application.

[deltawave]

No arguments here. I think chiro is great when something's mechanically NQR and obviously not an acute soft-tissue injury that needs rest.

OTOH, sometimes these things work themselves out, too.

Taken in context and knowing that there are limits, I think chiro is great. Same with massage. Will it solve everything? No. A substitute for proper veterinary care, training, fitness or treatment of a specific disorder? No. But if it seems to help and is done by a qualified person, why not?

[LSM1212]

My horse wouldn't be where he is today if it wasn't for my Chiro and MT.

After his hip injury, we weren't sure if he was ever going to be sound again. And getting a new farrier helped to... but that's another story.

Got an MT in to work on him and we piggy backed it with the Chiro coming right afterwards while he is still "loose". Once we got him going again, and worked on building him back up... it just all fell into place.

Now, he self adjusts when I do his carrot stretches.

[Appassionato]

Beating Muscle Injuries for Horses, Jack Meagher

Love love LOVE that book! I can't tell you the number of times I would go through that book on a horse, find some bad spots, do as directed, and find that the horse's movement changed for the better. LOVE that book!

[NCSue]

You don't have to convince me that chiros are beneficial. However you must convince my horse to make him willing enough to step on that trailer. Oh I wished I lived in an area where a chiro would just drop by. I have this lovely mental picture of what my fellow will be like after his adjustment(s). MT and equine PTs rate up there also.

[Bogie]

Not chiro, but I've seen some very positive results from this: www.mastersonmethod.com. It's really good for finding tension and then helping your horse release. I do at least some body work before every ride.

I've also seen Gary Severson (the Saddle Dr.) do some amazing bodywork. This spring he looked at my friend's mare (who'd been having back problems) and said that her hip was out. He adjusted her (without using chiro) and she was bang up straight after that.

Lucky me, he's coming to my barn tomorrow to show me some of his secrets!

[BumbleBee]

My gelding gets his first treatment tomorrow by an equine physiotherapist.
She does massage, chiro, accupuncture and studied under an osteopath in germany.

I can't wait to see what she finds to fix.

[JB]

You don't have to convince me that chiros are beneficial. However you must convince my horse to make him willing enough to step on that trailer. Oh I wished I lived in an area where a chiro would just drop by. I have this lovely mental picture of what my fellow will be like after his adjustment(s). MT and equine PTs rate up there also.

If you can get enough people interested, would she be willing to come for a full day of work? Overnight for 2 days work? I know it's a long drive for the chiro I think you're talking about :(

[Watermark Farm]

It's helpful to let your horse roll after work, like in an arena or other soft spot, so they can "self adjust." A chiropractor I use told me that in Australia, they have these sand pits for the racehorses to roll in after their workouts. I've noticed that my 24/7 pasture horses rarely need any chiro work, as they roll and tend to self adjust in pasture.

[Altamont Sport Horses]

This morning I had 5 horses adjusted by a vet trained in chiropractic. They all had some issue which made me want them evaluated and adjusted. The immediate relief you can see on their faces is obvious and then the change in their movement confirms it. I wouldn't do chiropractic for the heck of it on just any horse for no good reason but if there is a problem or outward signs of discomfort it makes sense to try it. Why wouldn't a horse get "out of whack" just like people do? Anyone who wants to poo-poo on chiropractic or other alternative treatments, IMO, is just looking for an excuse to avoid the expense of treatment or ignore that there is a problem. I will be interested to follow these 5 horses and see how they feel over the next few weeks. We have a follow-up appointment in 2 weeks.

The other thing is this. In all professions you will run across those who are more proficient and successful in what they do. Just because one farrier or trimmer does poor work does not mean all farriers or trimmers do poor work and the same holds true for chiropractors. I have had a few different chiropractors work on me for long periods of time and it didn't seem to do much good or perhaps not enough for any period of time. The best chiropractor I have ever had adjust me was a human chiropractor gone equine chiropractor (not the person I had out today). Perhaps hers was better because she better understands the strains that horsekeeping and handling puts on a person and structures her adjustments with those things in mind. Or maybe it was more effective because I had just had a deep tissue massage and loosened everything up sufficiently before the adjustment. Every person and every animal is an individual and the problems ailing them can be caused by a variety of factors.

I will say that I have had issue with chiropractors who are so deeply entrenched in the chiropractic frame of mind that they believe EVERYTHING is due to misalignment of the spine. Malarkey. I believe that a misaligned spine can effect many parts of the body but not all problems in the body are due to a misaligned spine. The horse chiropractor that adjusted me was the first to ever address other joints in the body (shoulders, wrists, ankles, etc.) and not focus solely on the spine. The vet chiropractor also adjusted other joints and sometimes it is those adjustments that gives the horse the most noticeable pain relief.

I've never requested acupuncture. I don't poo-poo it and I don't seek it. I just don't really have any experience with it. When one of my horses coliced and the vet wanted to do acupuncture in addition to everything else (tubed/oiled) I figured "Why not? My horse has no gut sounds and it won't hurt him so why not give it a try." I'm open to it. My horse got through the colic fine. I'm assuming it was the oil and banamine but I won't automatically discount the possibility that the acupuncture helped in some way as well. I know he released gas when a few specific needles were inserted and that is at least a good sign in a colicing horse.

[Foxtrot's]

The chiro I haave used over the years will come and look at your horse. If he thinks he can fix it, he will. He will not attempt anythig that is outside his area of expertise. He has saved several of my horses, and salvaaged some auction junkers I've found. Absolutely, they can do what another equine health professional may not have the experience to do.

[BumbleBee]

My gelding gets his first treatment tomorrow by an equine physiotherapist.
She does massage, chiro, acupuncture and studied under an osteopath in germany.

I can't wait to see what she finds to fix.

Well to all those who remember my thread this summer about my clumsy gelding who last year fell with me aboard and this year came way way to close to going down, stumbled then spun me off as he jumped back up.

It turns out it was medical - his back was out in several places , and his hind end had a muscle on either side of his sacrum that was so tight she was surprised he could feel the bulk of his hind quarter muscles let alone use them properly.

I had been trying to build up his hind end but in areas couldn't make progress. After his massage, bioscan, massage, chiro today the muscles appeared out of no where. I have had him 2 years and never saw these muscles so they clearly have been effecting him for a long time.

3 days in a small flat paddock, then regular turn out, and back to work.
I will be having him looked at more regularly now.:yes:

[pintopiaffe]

JC Racinet theorizes that might actually have been Baucher's true genius. Some of his flexions actually are osteopathic releases. (Complete Horsemanship is a FASCINATING read, IMO)

Yes--razor in the monkey's hand for sure but... if you don't *force* anything, and listen to the horse... can be a miracle.

[wtchy1]

I have been wanting to get my horse adjusted but have been hesitant because i don't know any chiropractors. I have a few names but One person isnt taking on new clients the other one I dont have anyone to use as a referance point on and then theres my vet who told me she didn't like chiropractors and if I did insist on using one gave me the name of some other person who again I havent heard anything good or bad on either.

If theres anyone out here in the southeastern nh northeaster ma area that can be recomended Id appreciate it.:yes: (I'm in the Kensington Nh area)

a pm would be great!!!! THanks!

[JB]

JC Racinet theorizes that might actually have been Baucher's true genius. Some of his flexions actually are osteopathic releases. (Complete Horsemanship is a FASCINATING read, IMO)


That is really interesting. I don't have that book, but will now!

[EqTrainer]

One of my trainers had Baucheristic tendencies. She worked a lot w/OTTB's and hot horses. I can see where that could have been what was going on, now that I am older and wiser :)

She was also tho' the person who taught me that it is better to let go than to take.

[BumbleBee]

That is really interesting. I don't have that book, but will now!

JB save yourself some shipping and get all his books they are the best.

I actually credit the mounted flextions for why my gelding wasn't out at the poll in the neck or withers even though his issues originate in his mouth(teeth). I could fix those but not the ones in his back.

I do the mounted flextions with him religeously and they are the only thing that has made him ridable. Hopefully once his teeth are fully fixed (5 floats in 2 years) his spine will stay aligned.

[BornToRide]

Also really like Racinet's book and also like the Osteopathic approach better, as it tends to go more with the body, rather than against it.

A lot can be done while riding a horse. Most of the problem tend to be created anyway by the horse's and rider's side dominance that are not addresses properly during training.

An imbalanced rider can really mess up a horse bad, especially when the horse is also forced into contact by whip and spurs. This leads to muscular compensations that tends to create muscle imbalances and thereby joint subluxations.

Side dominance compensations are the most common form of subluxations - the rest are usually created truly by trauma or illness that may affect muscle tone.