Spring Equine Tune-Ups

Peak equine riding and competing season is officially here. I’ve had such a fun few weeks meeting with and adjusting some of my favorite horse patients. Just like us, I think they too found the winter to be never ending. Some of the most rewarding moments of my job are watching senior horses who after being adjusted go galloping into the field like they’re a foal again. You can tell that they are feeling and moving so much better. And this might sound silly but sometimes I feel like I can seed a nod of thanks when they look back towards me as I load up my car to head to the next stop. 


People often ask how I am able to adjust horses and even cows. I have a large purple “block” that I stand on. This allows me to be up and over the large animal so I can palpate through each of the joints in the spine and pelvis to see what’s moving properly and what’s restricted. Sometimes it takes an animal a few minutes to figure out what this block is for and if they feel like getting that close to it. And other horses (many who are having a follow up adjustment) stand so still next to the block knowing that after that stillness they will be feeling better. 


People often think that an animal chiropractor must be super strong to be able to adjust horses and cows. The reality is that the actual chiropractic adjustment has nothing to do with the amount of strength, force, or pressure applied. The adjustment has everything to do with the angle of the adjustment, tissue pull/tension applied to the joint, the willingness of the animal to accept the adjustment, and speed. When meeting an animal I spend a few minutes petting them, moving slowly, taking in their personality. I never get to work too quickly, because the horse or cow needs to trust me to stand close to them. During the chiropractic adjustment, many animals close their eyes, drop their head, or have a soft swinging tail. These are signs that the animal is relaxed and enjoying the therapeutic time. 


The other question I am frequently asked is if I have a favorite area of the animal to adjust. I actually have two spots. The first is upper cervical (neck) - both the atlas bone and C2. These vertebrae sit so close to the brain stem that adjustments in this area can help bring the animal from fight or flight into a more relaxed state. Upper cervical adjustments also can be beneficial to balance, hearing, and rotation of the neck. Just like humans who often hold a lot of stress at the base of the skull, horses share a similar spot of tension. Oftentimes the horse shows a moment of surprise by the atlas adjustment and then almost instantly show a sign of relaxation. 


My second favorite area of the horse to adjust are the intertransverse joints. This joint is unique to horses and  rhinoceroses. The intertransverse joints are very important for stabilizing the spine and transferring power from the hind legs into the back for athletic movement. The reality is that intertransverse joints that have never been adjusted by a certified animal chiropractor frequently develop arthritis and oftentimes fuse together in older horses. This can lead to stiffness and low back pain which is often mistaken for sacroiliac (SI) pain. Many horses over the age of 15 have some sort of intertransverse arthritis developing. I’m so grateful to have the opportunity of mobilizing these joints for my patients to bring them some comfort and pain relief in this often overlooked area. 


Adjusting animals brings me great joy during the week. I love being able to bring comfort to aging pets as well as bring some moments of stress relief to animals who compete. Traveling to horse barns in the area  on the weekend also brings me to more scenic areas of the Northwoods as well as helps me find the best local coffee shops, bakeries, and hidden local eats. I’m definitely feeling grateful for the beautiful spring and summer ahead! ​