Equine Chiropractic
Frequently Asked Questions!
What is chiropractic?
Chiropractic is the practice of finding joints in the body that are restricted in their range of motion. We call those “subluxation complexes,” and our primary focus is on the neck and spine.
We want to find the joints in the body that aren’t moving through their proper range of motion and then correct those using a specific chiropractic adjustment.
How can chiropractic help my horse?
Chiropractic can help your horse by improving their overall biomechanics- in other words, the way that they move. It can also help improve their basic neurologic function.
By correcting areas of the body that are restricted in their range of motion, we can improve the horse’s way of going and assist them in recovery from any issues like arthritis or soft tissue injury.
How do I know if chiropractic will benefit my horse?
Lots of horses can benefit from chiropractic evaluation and adjustment! Performance horses of all types can develop areas of restricted range of motion during their training, and even trail and backyard horses can develop issues, just from their daily activities. Senior horses often already have conditions like arthritis that keep their bodies from moving correctly, so they can be kept much more comfortable with chiropractic as well!
What does chiropractic feel like for the horse?
The majority of horses really enjoy chiropractic! They usually relax, chew and close their eyes.
If they have any areas that are sore, we often avoid those areas at first and make sure we’re really gentle in those areas until we start to see improvement.
You’ll often see a big difference in the horse’s behavior afterward!
How long does it take to see results?
Most horses respond really quickly to chiropractic work. You’ll often see results within a couple days, or the first few times you ride the horse after his adjustment!
Will my horse need more than one adjustment?
Some horses may need more than one treatment depending on their individual problems and needs.
For example, if they have several areas of their spine that are restricted in motion, or have lots of arthritis, they may need several adjustments before we feel like they’ve made a big improvement. The majority of horses will benefit from a follow-up evaluation a couple weeks after the initial adjustment, just to make sure everything feels good. After that, some horse owners prefer to have regular visits every few months, and some prefer to schedule an evaluation and adjustment when they notice a problem.
Will my horse need “down time” after an adjustment?
There really isn’t any down time after chiropractic! Typically we’ll recommend that the horse have that day off of work, but they can go outside and resume their normal daily routine. You can then ride the horse over the next several days unless there’s another problem like a lameness or injury that is being treated.
Who can provide chiropractic for horses?
Though laws may vary from state-to-state, typically the only people who can provide chiropractic care are veterinarians or human chiropractors that have undergone specific, specialized training for animal chiropractic.
How much does chiropractic cost?
This can vary quite a lot depending on your provider, your horse and your geographic area. You’ll usually find prices ranging from about $100 to $250 for a full evaluation and adjustment. At Foundation Equine, our standard package is $140 for the initial visit, but we offer special packages for existing clients! Please give us a call for current rates!