Someone who uses chiropractic techniques on horses is known as an equine chiropractor. Some, but not all, equine chiropractors are also veterinarians. Some people believe that equine chiropractic techniques are a good complement to traditional veterinary medicine, and that they can help heal certain ailments and muscle irregularities without the use of drugs or chemicals. An equine chiropractor is an animal alternative therapy provider who requires little formal training to get started. Chiropractic treatments for horses and other animals are controversial, and it is usually recommended that they be combined with regular veterinary check-ups.
A traditional human chiropractor’s role is very similar to that of an equine chiropractor. Chiropractic care aims to restore balance to the spine, nervous system, and muscles of the body. Massage or forceful spinal realignment are usually used in the procedure. Following a horse injury or suspicion of a horse injury, equine chiropractic services are frequently sought.
In horses, chiropractors frequently use a technique known as the “high velocity thrust” to realign and adjust their spines. The thrust is a blunt force that is applied to the spine by the chiropractor’s hands or a chiropractic tool. The thrust is thought to relieve back pain caused by spinal tension. An injury, stress, or poor muscle alignment can all contribute to spinal tension.
The majority of jurisdictions do not regulate animal chiropractics in the same way they do traditional veterinary medicine. There are no formal qualifications for animal chiropractors in most of the world, including the United States, Canada, and the majority of European countries. Chiropractic is generally regarded as a complementary therapy rather than a medical specialty. Training courses are available in a variety of locations, but they are all privately run; they teach techniques without following a standardized curriculum or preparing students for any required certification.
The American Veterinary Chiropractic Association and the Animal Chiropractic Certification Commission compile databases of chiropractors who are certified or licensed to practice animal chiropractic, but these credentials are not universal. Organizations, not any governing body, determine the certification requirements. Without fear of breaking any laws or violating any practice rules, anyone can claim to be an equine chiropractor, regardless of training.
Equine chiropractics is advocated by some veterinarians, and many even practice it. Others are more sceptical, questioning the value and risks of using spinal realignment techniques on horses in the first place. Even the most skilled equine chiropractor may not be able to properly diagnose what is causing a particular ailment, despite the fact that equine chiropractics has been proven to cure many horse problems and pains. In some cases, chiropractic adjustments can mask larger underlying issues. Chiropractic care, if used, should be done in conjunction with veterinary care as part of an integrated care regimen, according to veterinarians.