As you might imagine, exercising with your horse, especially if the activity is strenuous or of long duration, can put some significant stress on your horse's spine, as well as other parts of his/her anatomy. Other day to day activities or conditions might also cause your animal to experience some discomfort. 

Here are some of the more common causes for discomfort for your horse are:

 

• arthritis, wear and tear

• cold backed

• injuries

• jumping

• long hours in stall

• poor fitting tack

• roping, reining, etc.

• stiffness

• trailering

• use of side or draw reins

 

How do you tell when your animal might be experiencing some discomfort (which chiropractic may be able to relieve or diminish)? Obviously, they can't come right out and tell you in so many words, but they are able to tell you in other ways. Observation of the following signs can tell you when your horse is experiencing some discomfort:

 

• being "off"

• bucking on mounting/working under saddle

• change in performance, movement, attitude to work

• pain or dropping on spinal pressure

• refusing jumps

• unexplained limping

 

As the owner, we need you to observe the behaviours and mood of your horse, and communicate your concerns and observations to us. Many problems may be helped with chiropractic adjustments, and the course of treatment will be tailored to the specific needs of your horse or other animal.