What should a Chiropractor do?

1rish · 08-09-2004, 10:13 AM

Recently I had a new vet do some chiropractic work on Guinness. (my vet doesn't do chiropractic work) I have never had it done so I was unsure how exactly it was performed. He just used a clicker thing on his spine, rotated guinness's shoulder and cracked his jaw by putting his hands by his ears with his elbows by the horses jaw and popping the jaw to the side. he said his poll was out and his pelvis was tweeked and that he fixed it.
I thought that was normal until I read an article in a newspaper where the chiropractor in the article was talking about how she has to stand on a stool to apply proper pressure on the spine etc...
Are there different ways to adjust a horses back? The vet is supposed to come out again this week but if he isn't really accomplishing anything and is just putting on a "dog and pony show" so to speak I would rather save the $100.
What should I be looking for when he adjusts Guinness? I dont notice any difference in his movement.

Just a highlight. Guinness is a VERY leggy yearling so he is always a bit gangly and goofy when he moves, I didn't notice anything off in his gait prior to calling the chiropractor but called the chiropractor because Guinness had an accident where he flipped over a fence and landed on his head and I wanted to make sure he was okay.
Any insight is GREATLY appreciated.

MissBandit · 08-09-2004, 10:29 AM

I've never seen any chiropractor crack the jaw. A boarder at my barn had chiro work on her gelding. She stood on a milk crate and pused on the spine, up and down in various spots. It was quite hard work by the looks of it. I'm not saying he did anything 'wrong' though.

I'd like to say however, that I think it's GREAT that you looked into chiro for him after his accident. I'm happy to see the practice is slowly taking off - a lot of horses (and people for that matter) live with a misalignment unnecessarily.

cassidy · 08-09-2004, 10:31 AM

i had a chiropractor for bluebell once an yeah they do normally stand on a stool an apply pressure to them but they only do the bits they can feel need doing they are normally really good but it does look quite painful!

an they normally say the horse has to have 5-7 days rest afterwards

1rish · 08-09-2004, 10:35 AM

Thanks for the input, I wonder why he didn't put the pressure on his back, maybe it is because he is so young and his growth plates in his spine are still open? I guess I just thought he would do more, I know when I have my back adjusted you KNOW you've been adjusted.

cassidy · 08-09-2004, 10:39 AM

yeah normally the horse can feel it too in their back!!

also i expect the vet is not as involved as a proper chiropractor so maybe you should call a specialist one to do your horse next time!!

Carly · 08-09-2004, 11:29 PM

the barn vet is a chiro who used to vet work, thenmoved to chiro..but she does vet for ceratin ppls..like us!lol..she had to crack carlotta (hehehe, no she wasnt named after me, or visey versey!lol) sounds liek the same way she did it....

MissBandit · 08-09-2004, 11:48 PM

Actually, there is a newer form of chiropractic treatment that is called "Nucca". I'm not sure if it's being practiced on equines yet, but I personally have it done. It's more of a pressure point process where the Dr. presses on the bone just behind the earlobe. Perhaps your chiro guy was using this technique on your horse. That bone on the horse is found just behind the jaw.

Paintlover · 08-10-2004, 05:40 AM

Why would you press just behind the earlobe?

shell · 08-10-2004, 05:49 AM

I had a chiropractor out for my mare Velvet once. She was heavy in foal and somehow tweaked her back and could not walk. Well, she could walk, but very little. She would not even walk for grain. I called out an equine chiropractor and he worked on her for an hour and a half. Velvet felt a lot better right away but was still a little slow. He came back 2 more times every other day. Velvet felt great by the time he was done. My vet had her on bute and that did not help at all. So sometimes a little back adjustment can make all the differance.

Hay, I can't believe this is my 1400th post! I spend too much time here.

space_cowboy · 08-10-2004, 07:31 AM

I use one for my horses - he comes out once a week and goes over everything in the barn - if they arent out then he doesnt charge a thing! I also have a massage therapist for them! They are spoiled rotten!

08-09-2004, 10:13 AM	#1
1rish Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Doing Laundry Posts: 1,530 Images: 35	What should a Chiropractor do? Recently I had a new vet do some chiropractic work on Guinness. (my vet doesn't do chiropractic work) I have never had it done so I was unsure how exactly it was performed. He just used a clicker thing on his spine, rotated guinness's shoulder and cracked his jaw by putting his hands by his ears with his elbows by the horses jaw and popping the jaw to the side. he said his poll was out and his pelvis was tweeked and that he fixed it. I thought that was normal until I read an article in a newspaper where the chiropractor in the article was talking about how she has to stand on a stool to apply proper pressure on the spine etc... Are there different ways to adjust a horses back? The vet is supposed to come out again this week but if he isn't really accomplishing anything and is just putting on a "dog and pony show" so to speak I would rather save the $100. What should I be looking for when he adjusts Guinness? I dont notice any difference in his movement. Just a highlight. Guinness is a VERY leggy yearling so he is always a bit gangly and goofy when he moves, I didn't notice anything off in his gait prior to calling the chiropractor but called the chiropractor because Guinness had an accident where he flipped over a fence and landed on his head and I wanted to make sure he was okay. Any insight is GREATLY appreciated. __________________ Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level then beat you with experience.

08-09-2004, 10:29 AM	#2
MissBandit Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 13,218 Images: 300 Blog Entries: 43	I've never seen any chiropractor crack the jaw. A boarder at my barn had chiro work on her gelding. She stood on a milk crate and pused on the spine, up and down in various spots. It was quite hard work by the looks of it. I'm not saying he did anything 'wrong' though. I'd like to say however, that I think it's GREAT that you looked into chiro for him after his accident. I'm happy to see the practice is slowly taking off - a lot of horses (and people for that matter) live with a misalignment unnecessarily. __________________ Founder is the #2 killer of horses. Learn how to prevent, spot and treat this deadly disease. Emergency Treatment http://www.laminitisclinic.org

08-09-2004, 10:31 AM	#3
cassidy Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2004 Location: england - its sunny sometimes honest! Posts: 21,575 Images: 820	i had a chiropractor for bluebell once an yeah they do normally stand on a stool an apply pressure to them but they only do the bits they can feel need doing they are normally really good but it does look quite painful! an they normally say the horse has to have 5-7 days rest afterwards __________________ ive been snowballed... May your life be like toilet paper - Long and useful A horse doesn't care how much you know until he knows how much you care. - Pat Parelli http://www.freewebs.com/linz88055/myprofile.htm

08-09-2004, 10:35 AM	#4
1rish Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Doing Laundry Posts: 1,530 Images: 35	Thanks for the input, I wonder why he didn't put the pressure on his back, maybe it is because he is so young and his growth plates in his spine are still open? I guess I just thought he would do more, I know when I have my back adjusted you KNOW you've been adjusted. __________________ Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level then beat you with experience.

08-09-2004, 10:39 AM	#5
cassidy Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2004 Location: england - its sunny sometimes honest! Posts: 21,575 Images: 820	yeah normally the horse can feel it too in their back!! also i expect the vet is not as involved as a proper chiropractor so maybe you should call a specialist one to do your horse next time!! __________________ ive been snowballed... May your life be like toilet paper - Long and useful A horse doesn't care how much you know until he knows how much you care. - Pat Parelli http://www.freewebs.com/linz88055/myprofile.htm

08-09-2004, 11:29 PM	#6
Carly Senior Member+ Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: British Columbia Posts: 6,803 Images: 592 Blog Entries: 5	the barn vet is a chiro who used to vet work, thenmoved to chiro..but she does vet for ceratin ppls..like us!lol..she had to crack carlotta (hehehe, no she wasnt named after me, or visey versey!lol) sounds liek the same way she did it.... __________________ Okay I HAVE to say it.. its BELGIAN not BELGIUM.. its a horse, not a place or a chocolate! "I've been Goosed!"

08-09-2004, 11:48 PM	#7
MissBandit Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 13,218 Images: 300 Blog Entries: 43	Actually, there is a newer form of chiropractic treatment that is called "Nucca". I'm not sure if it's being practiced on equines yet, but I personally have it done. It's more of a pressure point process where the Dr. presses on the bone just behind the earlobe. Perhaps your chiro guy was using this technique on your horse. That bone on the horse is found just behind the jaw. __________________ Founder is the #2 killer of horses. Learn how to prevent, spot and treat this deadly disease. Emergency Treatment http://www.laminitisclinic.org

08-10-2004, 05:40 AM	#8
Paintlover Banned Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,575	Why would you press just behind the earlobe?

08-10-2004, 05:49 AM	#9
shell Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: The Great North West Posts: 8,985 Images: 350	I had a chiropractor out for my mare Velvet once. She was heavy in foal and somehow tweaked her back and could not walk. Well, she could walk, but very little. She would not even walk for grain. I called out an equine chiropractor and he worked on her for an hour and a half. Velvet felt a lot better right away but was still a little slow. He came back 2 more times every other day. Velvet felt great by the time he was done. My vet had her on bute and that did not help at all. So sometimes a little back adjustment can make all the differance. Hay, I can't believe this is my 1400th post! I spend too much time here. __________________ “Look, what a horse should have he did not lack, save a proud rider on so proud back.” -Shakespear Marshalltown, Iowa, it is against the law for a horse to eat a fire hydrant.

08-10-2004, 07:31 AM	#10
space_cowboy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: St. Louis Posts: 897	I use one for my horses - he comes out once a week and goes over everything in the barn - if they arent out then he doesnt charge a thing! I also have a massage therapist for them! They are spoiled rotten!