Equine chiropractors use chiropractic techniques on horses to cure muscle ailments without drugs or chemicals. Little formal training is required, and chiropractic treatments should be performed with regular veterinary examinations. The practice involves spinal realignments and adjustments with a technique known as “high-velocity thrust.” Chiropractic is considered an alternative therapy, and there are no formal qualifications for animal chiropractors. It is recommended that chiropractic care be performed only in conjunction with veterinary care.
An equine chiropractor is someone who practices chiropractic techniques on horses. Some equine chiropractors are also veterinarians, but not all are. Some believe that equine chiropractic techniques complement traditional veterinary medicine and are considered a way to cure certain muscle ailments and irregularities without the use of drugs or chemicals. An equine chiropractor is considered a provider of animal alternative therapy, and little formal training is required to begin practicing. The use of chiropractic techniques on horses and other animals is somewhat controversial, and it is generally recommended that chiropractic treatments be performed in conjunction with regular veterinary examinations.
The role of an equine chiropractor is very similar to that of a traditional human chiropractor. The practice of chiropractic is an effort to balance the spine, nervous system, and muscles of the body. The practice usually involves massage or strong spinal realignment. Equine chiropractic services are commonly sought after a horse injury or suspected horse injury.
In horses, chiropractic practices often involve spinal realignments and adjustments with a technique known as “high-velocity thrust.” Thrust is a blunt force directed toward the spine, either with the chiropractor’s hands or a chiropractic tool. The push is believed to relieve spinal tension in the back. Spinal strain can be caused by injury, stress, or poor muscle alignment.
Most jurisdictions do not regulate animal chiropractic the way they regulate the practice of traditional veterinary medicine. In most parts of the world, including the United States, Canada and most European countries, there are no formal qualifications for animal chiropractors. Chiropractic is generally thought of as an alternative therapy, not a medical practice. Training courses exist in many locations, but all are privately established; they teach techniques, but in any standardized curriculum and not in preparation for any required certification.
Associations such as the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association and the Animal Chiropractic Certification Commission compile databases of chiropractors certified or licensed to practice animal chiropractic, but these credentials are not universal. The requirements for certification are established by organizations, not by any governing body. Anyone, regardless of training, can pose as an equine chiropractor without fear of breaking a law or violating any rule of practice.
Some veterinarians advocate equine chiropractic, and many even practice it. Others are more skeptical, questioning the value and risks of using spinal realignment techniques in horses. Although equine chiropractic has been established to cure many problems and pain in horses, even the most skilled equine chiropractor may not be able to properly diagnose what is causing a specific ailment. Chiropractic corrections can, in some cases, mask larger underlying issues. It is generally recommended by veterinarians that chiropractic care, if used, be performed only in conjunction with veterinary care as part of an integrated care regimen.
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