Equine Chiropractic help?

Question

My 7 year old western pleasure horse has been acting really weird, when she lopes she gets really stiff, wont keep the correct headset and doesnt collect herself as much as she use to. my trainer thinks her back and her neck are out. she said that a Chiropractor for horses could solve this problem. i know that some horses go their whole lives without it, and people force them to preform as if its not sore and such but i was wondering how do i know thats all it really is? and that its not a more serious problem?

Answer 1

They are GREAT!!!! I have 2 old mare that are stiff if not worked on by a chiropractor. They work wonders!! If it was my horse I would have one come out & fix my horse. She will thank you for it!

Answer 2

There are several things that could be causing the stiffness and failure to collect herself.

1.  She could need a spinal adjustment to re-align her neck and back.

2.  She could have a neurological disease or other neurological problem that is prohibiting her from moving correctly.

3.  She could have arthritis.

4.  She could have injured herself somehow.

The best thing to do is to call and at least talk to your vet, describing the signs and symptoms.  It would be best to have your vet come out and examine her.  I doubt it is EPM, but it could be another serious disorder.  It could also be something minor and easy to treat, but don't wait too long, go ahead and have her checked out.  Better safe then sorry.

Answer 3

She might have Arthritus.  I would call the vet, she could be in pain!?

Answer 4

Ask the vet to check her over incase it is serious. Try getting her to stretch out if it is stiffness. Release your reigns gradually when you trot and if she stretches her neck down this is stretching the necka and back muscles. In walk will work aswel but it is more effective in trot. Once she stretches let her walk.

Answer 5

I would have her evaluated by a medical doctor (equine vet) first.  Chiropractors treat spinal malalignments by adjustments.  They are not medical doctors and my experience has been that they virtually always claim to be able to treat the problem.  Every human or horse will probably have some alignment imperfections, so chiropractors diagnose just about everything as being due to spinal causes.

I've seen many sad stories in the human realm where people waited too long before seeing a medical doctor because they kept having their chiropractors perform adjustments while cancers grew or arthritic changes that could have been minimized with medication were allowed to progress irreversibly.

There is a place for chiropractic, but in my view, it is not the first avenue to take.

Answer 6

Chiropractic is great for your horse.  All of mine get adjustments on a regular basis, just for the maintenance of their health.  I don't wait to see a problem, I prefer to prevent them from occurring if possible.  Before a legitimate equine chiropractor can adjust your horse, she will have to be checked out by your vet first.  That is proper protocol in all states as far as I know.  good luck.

Answer 7

I show in AQHA western pleasure, and towards the end of last year, my horse started short striding on one of his front legs.  I have x-rays done, and a lameness exam, and there wasn't anything really wrong with him.  After awhile, it progressed to him being really awkward with on lead, and using his head a lot for momentum.  Finally, somebody recommended a chiropractor, and I figured I had spent $100 on stupider things, so why not try it out.  Well, the chiro said my horse was really stiff on one side, adjusted his shoulder forward (hmm, he was short striding, so makes sense), adjusted his back, and his hip on one side also.  I didn't even tell him what the problem was, just that I wanted my horse adjusted.

Within 3-4 days, my horse was riding amazing.  I was really impressed.  I plan on having him adjusted a few more times during show season.  If people can sleep funny, fall, or do something to twist their spine out of place, why can't a horse?  I'm sure he's had days he played too hard when turned out, or maybe got cast in his stall and I didn't know about it.  I think the chiro was the best thing I've done for him.  I've got another show this weekend....woohoo!

Answer 8

I'd talk to your vet about it it could be serious so talk to your vet as soon as possible i bet she probably has arthrites or something

Answer 9

My horse has seen them all - the vet, the masseuse, the chiropractor, the acupuncturist. I've had great experiences with all of them, and most are actaully vets (only vets can practice equine acupuncture), so they can assist you in diagnosing your horse's problem. If they think your horse needs a service besides their own, they will usually tell you. Also helpful often times is your farrier. All of these people know more than you think they do :)