What to ask an equine chiropractor?

Question

Wanting to look into this...but would like to know what kind of questions to ask.

Completely clueless...so educate me...

For example...I hear some work with their hands, and some work with rubber mallets. What's the difference...besides the obvious.

I want to know what makes a 'good' one that looks at the comfort of the horse. Not one that is looking at my wallet.

Answer 1

I would talk to your vet and see what he/she knows about the ones in the area. That is how my old barn found one and he was pretty good. Certified for people too. He would adjust the horses then some of the boarders while they were out.

I doubt a good vet will recommed someone who harms a horse. They would also be the people called if the chiroptactic work was bad and the horse ended up hurt.

As for questions or whot to look for, I have no idea besides the really obvious. Stuff like them actually knowing horses, spending time evaluting them and listening to you. It kind of seems similar to finding a good farrier. You can tell right off what they are after.

EDIT: The majority of the good ones work on people too. I know of a few that just do horses but I have never heard that they are very good. I guess the concept behind chiropractic work is the same human to horse. The anatomy would just be a little off.

Answer 2

When I have used one, I completely explained the problem, what the probable reason was that caused it and what they are doing now.  Then I listen to see what they say over the phone.  The last guy that I use heavily now.. never said a thing lol.  But when I was there to have him set Stretch, he listened to what I said I noticed was wrong, watched me move him out to see his short strides and he also found out more issues than I had thought.

I also have a list of references on them a mile long before I even call.

The mule that has had loads of chiro work.. ALWAYS improved after the first visit and it was ALWAYS instant.  I knew the guy knew what he was doing when Stretch could pivot the moment after the guy was done.  It is to the point Stretch loves this guy and just automaticaly relaxes once he puts his hands on him.

It wasn't so much the 'before' things that I knew what he was doing, but the results.  I drive 3 hrs to see this guy when Stretch needs it, he is absolutely worth it.

Answer 3

I don't know much about this but...the one chiropractor I ever did have work on my horse was a people chiropractor.  We were chatting one day, I found out she competes in reining (had some AWESOME horses), and then she said she would work on horses too.  I thought she did a good job on people, and she obviously knew horses, so I figured "why not."

I'm sure that's not the best way to pick a chiropractor, but I don't think all states require any kind of certification.  So at least if they are certified on people, they have to know SOMETHING about how the skeletal system functions.

Answer 4

The few equine chiropractors I have seen, have used both methods. The rubber mallet is more of a applicator. I like the applicator because it puts less stress on the joints. I would as what method they use, and find out how long they have been doing this. I would check the credentials and, find out how recommended he/she is. The funny thing is, the first one we saw my father started laughing. Not because he thought it was ridiculous, but because it is something my grandfather preached to my father to do on every horse. He was laughing because we paid to see a clinic that he already knew how to do. We thought it was humorous at the time. But sometimes it takes things like that make you remember.

People forget, horses have been around a long time as you know, and there few things that have not been tried before. Like I have said just the titles change.

Answer 5

The first thing is make sure the equine chiropractor is actually a certified as a human chiropractor. Some people will try to pass themselves off more as 'massage artists' and use the title equine xxxx to hide they are actually not certified as they need to be, to be considered a legal equine chiropractor.

I prefer an equine chiropractor that works with his hands and carefully manipulates the horse's entire body, as opposed to mallets. Before I use a chiropractor for my horse, I visit him/her myself for an adjustment. This is usually pretty inexpensive for a first time client, about $35. They like to discount the initial visit. While I'm there, I ask a lot of questions about what they're doing to me and why. I listen and watch how they determine what areas I need adjusted. The big sell is how do I feel while they are doing it; how do they manipulate and adjust me, their quality of touch, their overall approach and attitude and, ultimately, how do I feel afterward. Did it help? Or did it make something worse?

Once the equine chiropractor comes out to work my horse, I ask them to do an overall assessment and talk to me as they do it. Confidence is inspired when they start mentioning or noticing things that are already on my hot list. Other than that, word of mouth is the absolute best way to find a good one. My entire barn uses the same man, who adjusts us and our horses.

ADD: I honestly don't know the specific difference between mallets and hand manipulation, though I suspect mallets are a way to circumvent the amount of physical strength and coordination one requires to adjust a horse accurately, effectively, carefully, and gently.

ADD: I found this excerpt from an article that I thought would be helpful: Note: *Moore* being a reputable equine chiropractor.

“The first question would be, ‘Do you use sedation?’ “ Moore says this is a red flag. “It is impossible to get any feedback from a horse that is sedated and very easy to cause more damage from over-adjusting. The second question would be to have the practitioner explain what he does. If he talks about 'popping them back in' or ‘getting them back in line’ and he doesn’t work with muscle tension and mental tension, I would be wary.” Moore also suggests asking if the chiropractor checks saddle fit and how the shoeing affects the horse, and whether he or she considers the rider’s chiropractic and bodywork issues, noting, “The answers to just those questions could fill a book.”

According to Moore, there are a couple of things to consider where the individual horse is concerned, so once you find someone you like and have your horse treated, pay attention to the results. “Does the horse move better, more freely and with less pain? Also, the reaction of the horse to the session is important to the long term effectiveness of the treatment,” Moore says. “If the horse stays tense or becomes more tense as the treatment goes on, that particular practitioner is not giving the maximum benefit to the horse.”

They should be AVCA board certified. These certified practitioners have attended school for an additional year after chiropractic school or veterinary school.

***I'm sorry this is so long. I can't sleep! It's a problem.***