To answer this question you first need to understand what chiropractic is about, and how it can benefit your equine partner.
You’ve heard about chiropractors and may have even gone to one yourself, or know someone who has. But this modality isn’t just for humans. It can also be incredibly beneficial for your horse. Read on to learn more about chiropractic and what it can do for horses.
WHAT IS CHIROPRACTIC?
Chiropractic is a healthcare discipline that emphasizes the recuperative power of the body to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery. The practice of chiropractic focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily the spine) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health.
Chiropractic assumes that every living body has some innate intelligence. Animal chiropractic care is about total health and well-being. It’s about helping animals, including horses, feel great and get the most out of life by functioning at their optimum potential.
THE SPINE AND CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
The spine is there to protect the spinal cord, which is part of the central nervous system; it’s like a set of armor made up of segments that can bend and move naturally with the body. A spinal segment consists of two vertebrae and the joints that connect them. A disc between each vertebra acts as a cushion.
Underneath that armor, a whole lot is happening. Messages travel from around the body
up the spinal cord and into the brain. The brain processes those messages and sends replies back down the spinal cord to tell the body how to respond. The central nervous system is one big information highway, and it carries vital messages to every part of the horse’s body.
WHEN PROBLEMS ARISE
Sometimes the wear and tear of everyday life can impact the spine and can cause spinal segments to move in an abnormal, dysfunctional way. That wear and tear can happen gradually, for example from bad posture; or it can happen suddenly, which is common with sports injuries. Because of the close relationship between the spine and nervous system, everyday strains can actually impact the flow of information and communication between the brain and the body.
Messages may not be delivered to the brain or they may be inaccurate. When miscommunication occurs due to abnormal movement in the spine, animal chiropractors call this a vertebral subluxation or chiropractic subluxation. By making fast gentle adjustments to the spine, certified animal chiropractors restore its natural movement.
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