| There are good reasons to utilize the services of an | | | | joint returning to what it considers a 'normal' state. An |
| equine chiropractor, just as there are for humans. | | | | effective program of rehabilitation will help your horse |
| However, there is one thing you must know before | | | | to maintain the new and proper alignment through a |
| calling an equine chiropractor to get the most benefit | | | | progressive exercise program that allows the changed |
| for your horse and to keep from wasting hundreds | | | | muscle positions and correct movements to become |
| and maybe thousands of dollars on treatment. | | | | habit. |
| Chiropractic adjustment will not solve all problems, and | | | | Rehabilitation exercises should begin slowly using |
| even when used properly your horse is not cured | | | | mostly straight work with only minor bending and broad |
| when the practitioner drives away from your barn. | | | | changes in direction. Ask your chiropractor or |
| There can be immediate and astonishing changes in | | | | veterinarian how to properly plan these exercises. The |
| your horse both physically and visually from | | | | longer your horse has been out of correct adjustment |
| chiropractic treatment; what few owners understand is | | | | the longer the rehab period will be. |
| the difficulty of maintaining these changes. The one | | | | Muscles need time to develop strength, mass and |
| thing horse owners need to know before calling the | | | | flexibility. If you have ever had a broken leg or arm, |
| chiropractor is that treatment is only the first step in | | | | you know that the muscles of that limb atrophied and |
| the horse's recovery. | | | | didn't return to normal as soon as the cast was |
| Once your horse has been adjusted, you must decide | | | | removed, but only after an extended period of |
| if you are willing to make the investment in time and | | | | carefully planned physical therapy. Remember this |
| effort that is necessary to make the correction | | | | when you plan the recovery of your horse after |
| permanent. The horses of owners who are unaware | | | | chiropractic treatment. |
| of the need for rehabilitation experience little benefit | | | | Once your horse is rehabilitated, you may need to |
| from adjustment. These owners often end up relying | | | | make changes in training methods, equipment used or |
| on repetitive chiropractic care to keep their horse in | | | | lesson routine to help keep your horse comfortable |
| work, racking up big bills weekly or monthly. | | | | and able to perform. Buy the best saddle pad possible. |
| Other owners decide it is a worthwhile investment to | | | | It will easily pay for itself over time by keeping your |
| have their horse treated regularly by a chiropractor. | | | | horse from soreness or injury. |
| Many training barns have horses adjusted monthly. | | | | Whenever your horse begins to show new signs of |
| The economics of keeping a performance horse in | | | | irritation, stiffness or unwillingness, the first thing you |
| competition sometimes make this a sound financial | | | | need to rule out is physical discomfort. Practice |
| decision. For most owners, however, failure to properly | | | | balanced riding, working your horse equally in both |
| rehabilitate their horse results in hundreds and | | | | directions. Perform warm up exercises before every |
| thousands of dollars of unnecessary expense, which | | | | lesson. Attentive owners know when their horse |
| few of us can easily afford. | | | | seems to be 'off.' You need to listen to your horse |
| Unless the problem your horse is experiencing is a | | | | every bit as much as they need to listen to you. |
| recent trauma, its joints and muscles have become | | | | Now that you are an informed horse owner, if you |
| used to their improper alignment. The chiropractor may | | | | have a need to call an equine chiropractor, be ready to |
| put the joint back into proper adjustment, but the | | | | ask them for a rehabilitation program. Get the most out |
| memory of the muscles and the habits your horse has | | | | their service for both your horse and your budget. |
| developed to compensate will probably result in the | | | | |