English
Chiropractic care for horses is a form of manual therapy commonly used in veterinary treatment protocols for lameness. Chiropractic treatment focuses on joint mobilization and manipulation to reduce pain, improve symmetry, and increase range of motion. [1]
Many owners use chiropractic treatment as part of routine care and maintenance for their horses to improve performance and reduce the risk of injury. Chiropractic is safe when performed by a trained professional.
Equine chiropractic treatment may reduce back pain, neck pain, and some types of limb lameness. Currently, treatment of back and neck pain in horses has the most research supporting the use of joint mobilization and manipulation.
Studies also show these treatments can increase flexibility, which may benefit performance.
Equine Chiropractic
Chiropractic care for horses is a therapeutic approach that focuses on addressing misalignment and dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system.
Chiropractic treatment involves moving a joint through its range of motion for therapeutic benefit. [1] Moving a joint into different zones within its normal range of motion can stretch surrounding soft tissues or treat reduced range of motion within the joint itself. [1]
Range of Motion
Joints in the horse’s body have three possible ranges of motion: active, passive, and anatomical limit.
Active range of motion refers to the range of movement occurring in the joint as the horse’s muscles move normally. [1] Typically, this is a small range of motion, as the tissues surrounding the joint naturally prevent it from extending or flexing excessively. [1]
Passive range of motion is the range possible when a chiropractor places gentle pressure on the joint during flexion or extension, pushing it beyond the active range of motion. [1] The practitioner can feel an elastic resistance to further movement in a normal joint, whereas an abnormal joint may show abrupt resistance. [1]
The anatomical limits are the absolute maximum degree of movement a joint can tolerate without injury. [1] Excessive force or abnormal movement patterns can force a joint beyond its anatomical limits, resulting in damage to joint cartilage and soft tissues. [1]
Chiropractors performing joint manipulation push the joint up to, but not beyond, its anatomical limits as part of treatment. [1] Due to the risk of tissue damage, only trained professionals should conduct chiropractic manipulations.
Chiropractic techniques
There are two major components to veterinary chiropractic treatments in horses: joint mobilization and joint manipulation. [1]
Joint mobilization refers to repetitive movement of the joint through its passive range of motion to stretch the connective tissues and ensure symmetry of the joints. [1] The goals of these treatments are pain reduction and improved mobility. [1]
Joint manipulation refers to the application of rapid, controlled force to manipulate a joint beyond the passive range of motion, up to its anatomical limits. [1] These treatments address local pain and joint stiffness. [1]
It is important to note these techniques can damage tissues if performed improperly, which underscores the importance of working with a qualified practitioner. [1]
Musculoskeletal Examination
Chiropractic treatment involves an evaluation of the entire horse’s musculoskeletal system to determine the range of motion of their joints and guide treatment. [1]
Areas that may benefit from treatment typically show symptoms such as: [1]
- Weakness
- Asymmetry
- Reduced or excessive joint motion
- Muscle spasms when moving the joint
Practitioners typically start at the head, then move towards the tail during evaluation. [1] Specific locations of focus include: [1]
- Movement of the jaw and hyoid bones (bones attached to the tongue)
- Flexion, extension and bending of the joints between the neck vertebrae
- Movement in the thoracic spinal column
- Bending, flexion and extension of the lumbosacral (lower back) area
- Movement in the pelvis
- Movement of the limbs in all directions
Spine
To assess the spinal column, practitioners may watch the horse performing normal activities such as lying, standing, and moving to examine active range of motion. [2] Carrot stretches can also help with evaluating motion of the head and neck. [2]
Additionally, veterinarians use spinal reflexes, stimuli that trigger bending of the spine, to evaluate the spine’s movement and identify any evidence of spinal pain. The main techniques for triggering spinal reflexes are: [3]
- Pressure on the ventral sternum
- Simultaneous girth and croup pressure
- Pressure at the junction between the sacrum and the caudal vertebrae
- Gentle traction on the tail
Passive range of motion in the spine is evaluated by palpating each vertebra (spinal bone) individually, moving them side to side one at a time. [2] To accomplish this, the practitioner must use blocks or a stool to elevate themselves above the horse’s back so they can place downward pressure on either side of each vertebra. [1]
Pelvis
To evaluate the pelvis, pressure is applied to the points of the hip and buttock to “rock” the pelvis. Pressure on the top of the croup can also provide information to help evaluate pain in the sacroiliac joint. [1]
Limbs
To assess the limbs, practitioners move each joint through its active range of motion in flexion, extension, and internal and external rotation. [2] By applying gentle pressure, they can evaluate passive range of motion at the same time. [2]
Often, equine chiropractors repeat the musculoskeletal examination after treatment to determine the effectiveness of manipulations performed and identify any areas requiring further treatment. [1]
Effects on Tissues
Joint mobilization and manipulation techniques stimulate the skin, fascia (connective tissues), muscles, ligaments, and other soft tissues surrounding the joints. [1] These techniques also affect blood vessels and lymphatics, which are responsible for fluid drainage, potentially reducing swelling in tissues after treatment. [1]
Tissue stimulation through chiropractic treatment may improve rehabilitation outcomes such as healing time and integrity of repaired tissue. Under healing conditions, tissue repair and remodeling rely on stimulation of cells through use of the joint to restore normal flexibility and strength. [1]
For this reason, many practitioners believe chiropractic is most effective during the early healing stages, while tissue repair is still occurring. [1]
Chiropractic techniques may also stimulate nerves in the area responsible for pain [1] Mechanoreceptors, specialized sensors that respond to touch and pressure, may also be “reprogrammed” by chiropractic treatment, allowing for restoration of normal movement patterns in horses with chronic pain or stiffness. [1]
Clinical Use
Veterinarians primarily use joint mobilization and manipulation to treat musculoskeletal conditions, particularly those affecting the joints or surrounding tissues. [1]
These treatments are often recommended for recurring or long-term lameness issues, particularly if response to conventional treatments is poor. [1]
Horses with the following symptoms may benefit from chiropractic treatment: [1][4]
- Muscle spasms
- Poor performance
- Pain when saddling
- Whole body stiffness
- Abnormal gaits not associated with obvious lameness
Common findings on physical examination in horses that may benefit from chiropractic treatment include: [1][4]
- Inability to stand square on all four limbs
- Back or neck pain
- Reduced range of motion in a joint
- Scarring or contraction of soft tissues around an injured area
- Pelvic asymmetry
Joint Mobilization vs. Manipulation
The use of joint mobilization versus manipulation in chiropractic treatment depends on the characterization of joint dysfunction or disease in the affected horse. Factors to consider include: [1]
- Training and skill of the practitioner
- Risks to surrounding tissues
- Whether the injury is new, highly painful, or inflamed
- Location of the injury
Scientific Evidence
There are several studies and case reports on using chiropractic to treat various conditions in horses. However, there are few studies examining the effect of chiropractic treatment in comparison with other treatments or compared to horses that did not receive chiropractic treatment.
More research is necessary to determine the efficacy of chiropractic treatment in horses.
Back and Neck Pain
Chiropractic treatments are a common component of treatment for back and neck pain in horses, particularly joint manipulation methods. [1]
One study showed that spinal manipulation improved spinal flexibility and pain tolerance in the thoracic spine of treated horses. Spinal manipulation was also more effective compared to spinal mobilization techniques. [1]
Chiropractic treatment of back or neck pain in horses typically involves once weekly treatment for three weeks, but more frequent sessions may be