Two main reasons a horse owner will most often seek chiropractic care are because they want to enhance performance, or they have noticed a change in performance or behaviour. Some of these changes may appear as;

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• Unusual or fluctuating lameness 

• The rider having difficulty feeling straight or balanced on the horse

• Problems with head carriage, horse unable to work long and low 

• Horse often becoming disunited, knocking fences, unwillingness to bend one way, leaning on one rein or various other changes in gait patterns

• Horse often drags their feet or shoes wear down quicker on one side

• The farrier has noticed the horse having difficulty standing comfortably when one foot is lifted 

• Change in behaviour in the stable or when being groomed or tacked up 

• Change in behaviour when being ridden such as bucking, rearing, head shaking

• Stiffness  

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If these changes are due to a musculoskeletal problem, the horse will likely have been compensating for an issue long before any of these changes start to become noticeable. This is why chiropractic care is so helpful in preventing injury and enhancing performance.

 

A chiropractor is trained to pick up on any subtle biomechanical changes visually and through palpation (feel) often before any pain or symptom starts presenting itself. Improving the biomechanics in the body can increase stride length, balance muscle tone and development, increase power and acceleration. It can also improve symmetry, head carriage, bending and lateral movements. ​​