Alleviating Back Pain in Horses with Chiropractic Care in Broomfield

At Top of the Line Chiropractic, we recognize that your horse’s health and comfort are paramount. Just like humans and smaller pets, horses can suffer from back pain, which can significantly impact their performance and well-being.

Our chiropractic services are here to help your equine companion feel their best, whether they’re an athlete, a working horse, or a beloved pet!

Signs of Back Pain in Horses

Horses communicate their discomfort in various ways. Owners should be attentive to behavioral changes that may indicate back pain, like:

• Irritability: Increased agitation or aggressive behavior, especially when being saddled or groomed.
• Reluctance: Hesitation or refusal to move forward, jump, or perform certain tasks.
• Apprehension When Touched on the Back: Horses may flinch or move away when their back is touched.
• Bucking or Abnormal Behavior During Riding: These can be clear indicators of pain or discomfort.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help

The Top of the Line Chiropractic approach involves a series of gentle adjustments tailored to the unique anatomy of horses. To accommodate their size, our chiropractor uses lifting boxes to elevate themselves to the horse’s height, ensuring precise and comfortable adjustments.

The Chiropractic Adjustment Process

• Spinal Adjustments: Our doctor begins by examining and adjusting the horse’s spine. While the technique is similar to that used on humans, it is modified to suit the equine anatomy. This process includes ranges of motion and proprioception testing to ensure the horse is ready for adjustment and may involve the doctor standing on a block or two to insure a comfortable working height.
• Extremity and Hip Adjustments: Adjustments can also be made to the extremities and hips. These are often performed from the ground and involve thorough ranges of motion testing. Addressing these areas can significantly alleviate back pain and improve overall mobility.
• Neck Adjustments: For neck adjustments, the chiropractor stays on the ground and ensures the horse’s neck is positioned appropriately for a safe and effective adjustment.

Treatment and Follow-Up

• Acute Cases: Horses with acute back pain may require follow-up adjustments within 2-3 days to ensure rapid relief and recovery.
• Ongoing Care: For ongoing issues, regular adjustments every two weeks may be necessary until improvement is observed.
• Maintenance Care: Athletic or regularly worked horses benefit from quarterly check-ups to prevent injuries and maintain peak performance. This preventative care is akin to regular maintenance for humans, helping to avoid the development of more serious issues.
• Individualized Plans: Follow-up schedules are tailored to the individual needs of each horse. Acute or severe cases may need more frequent visits initially, while less severe cases might return for reassessment after two weeks. We’ll always maintain communication with owners to monitor recovery progress and adjust treatment plans as needed.

Back Pain in Horses Broomfield, Denver CO | (303) 990-5029