Right now, if you do a google search for Equine Spinal Manipulation, adjustments or Equine Chiropractics, wow do you get a bunch of results! What does this mean for you as a horse owner? Is this really something you need to do for your horse and how do you find a trusted practitioner?
Horses are big so you need the biggest strongest person around to do the adjustment, right? WRONG!! WRONG!!! WRONG!!! Adjustments are properly done when the set up is correct and a high velocity, low amplitude thrust is applied to the segment. This can look like a sneeze, contraction when a skilled practitioner does it. This means if someone brings out a mallet and board around your horse, smile and thank them and then run like heck!
A good adjustment affects the nervous system by relieving the restriction that surrounds a particular joint. I’m not necessarily talking about the larger joints that one obviously thinks about with a horse. I’m talking about the tiny joints between vertebra, the facets. Here is where there are tons of nerves carrying all kinds of information. This is where the action is, so to speak.
Many people have a concept of something being “out of place” or a subluxation and this is what is being adjusted. These conditions would be evident on an x-ray and probably need more help than an adjustment. The restriction is just that, a decrease in normal range of motion in that small area. This will affect the range of motion (ROM) of a larger part. The horse’s neck is a great example. A common complaint from riders is that a horse is stiffer to one side or not able to flex very well one way. This can be caused by restrictions between the cervical (neck) vertebra. It is like your neck when you wake up after sleeping in a funky position. These restrictions make the horse figure out different ways of trying to do what you are asking. This compensatory movement will set up another cascade of restrictions. Clearing these will allow for freer movement and better ROM for your horse.