Does Your Horse Need a Chiropractor?

When my wife suggested to me last year that we hire a chiropractor for our twelve-year-old mare, I was sure she’d finally lost it. Twelve years of marriage had completely destroyed her ability to reason clearly and she was cracking up. I did some research, however, and discovered that horse chiropractors are not that uncommon, and can in fact resolve some of the primary issues that owners often experience with their horses.

Horse chiropractors are really no different from the human equivalent except that they work with a much different skeletal structure. Most equine chiropractors (at least the ones you should use) are certified by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association and have sufficient experience and expertise to properly adjust your horse. But does your horse need a chiropractor?

Equine chiropractors are used for a variety of purposes, usually precipitated for a traumatic event. In my wife’s case, our mare had been cast in her stall and was suffering back pain as a result. The veterinarian didn’t have any advice except to “give her time off”, so we sought other options. After two sessions, our mare was back to normal and feeling frisky again.

First of all, you should know that a horse chiropractor is not a suitable alternative to a veterinarian and cannot fix all problems. Digestive issues, leg injuries, hoof problems and diseases are matters for the vet alone. In some states, you have to have a referral from a licensed veterinarian in order for chiropractic work to be included under your equine insurance policy.

Before you decide if your horse needs a chiropractor, call a few and find out how they work. Ask about their rates, their experience and whether or not they have worked on an issue similar to the one that plagues your horse. If not, you’ll need to look elsewhere. It is vitally important that a horse chiropractor be sufficiently experienced so as not to cause additional damage to your horse.

Now that you know what a horse chiropractor can’t do, I’d like to talk about what they can do.

First, your horse might need a chiropractor if he has been in any kind of injury involving the spine. Many people don’t realize that when a horse acts up, it is often because he is in pain and not because he’s feeling rebellious. For example, if your horse walks off when you mount, he might be compensating for the weight that’s just been slung over his back.

A horse chiropractor can feel along your horse’s spine to determine if any of the vertebrae are out of alignment. The horse’s back is much longer than ours and is thus more vulnerable to misalignment. Simply backing into a wall at a high speed can cause problems with the spinal column.

If you decide that your horse needs a chiropractor, you will need to make an appointment. Most horse chiropractors don’t have offices, but instead come to your barn or stable. He or she will take detailed notes about your horse’s medical history and symptoms, then will conduct a preliminary examination, which will probably include watching your horse move while you lunge him in the round pen.

I’m not guaranteeing that your horse will be “fixed” after one or two sessions with an equine chiropractor, but it’s certainly worth a shot if your horse is in pain. Just make sure to clarify all costs and references before allowing anyone to work on your horse.