Horse getting chiropractic on its back
The horses need chiropractic also
Owners are often amazed when we tell them that we should adjust their horse with acute
laminitis. Any condition that results in an altered gait will cause altered motion in the spine. This lack of motion in the spine creates the subluxations that the chiropractic adjustment is designed to remove. Adjusting the laminitic horse will address changes of nerve and blood flow to the feet.
THE ROLE OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
Laminitis is far better understood as an autoimmune dysfunction of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract that happens to cause inflammation in the hooves of the horse. This is similar to gout in humans. It can also be likened to the neurological damage caused in the feet of diabetic humans.
The nervous system does much more than transmit sensory information to the brain or control motor functions. It actually controls the peripheral organs, including the body’s biomolecular environment. The central nervous system is involved in all disease conditions as the CNS not only processes incoming physical and chemical information from the body, it actually controls organs and cells to maintain health and homeostasis.
Chiropractic care enables the brain to communicate with the body at optimal levels. To understand health is to understand the central role of the brain and nervous system in maintaining the body. Health maintenance is the primary function of the brain. Interference of data flow to and from the brain results in a state of dis-ease. The major function of your horse’s genes (DNA) is to transmit health and the inborn resolve to remember wellness. Your horse has the ability to heal itself.
Anatomy of the Equine 2014
Fused equine vertebra
The last thoracic and the lumbar vertebra have fused in the spine of a pony suffering long term with founder.
METABOLIC DECLINE
Any horse in a state of stress can develop a metabolic decline that can damage its whole immune system, resulting potentially in laminitis. When a horse exercises it builds muscle by making more protein. This means it builds more cells. When a horse is fed a high grain diet, or lives in an environment that causes even mild annoying daily stress (such as not being allowed to walk a few miles each day), cells draw in more fluid, making the cells larger. Horses in decline can actually appear similar to fit horses, until we look at what their cells are doing. A horse in decline will have fewer cells than some thinner horses who are fit. This comes from the fact that they have developed larger cells, not more cells.
NERVE DYSFUNCTION
Nerve dysfunction is stressful to the internal organs and other structures of your horse and causes lowered tissue resistance which modifies the immune system and lessens the overall capability of the nervous system. Organs supplied by impinged nerves exhibit pathological changes; the more serious the impingement, the more serious the damage. If the nerves to your horse’s gut are not functioning, then your horse’s gut can’t function correctly. These nerves exit the spine in the lower thoracic and upper lumbar spine.
BACK IN BALANCE
Horses receiving routine chiropractic care are better suited to handle the everyday stresses of life. Well-adjusted horses have posture that allows them to interact squarely with gravity: legs perpendicular to the earth and the ability to stand using only the muscles meant to stabilize is an efficient stance.
More than 90% of the energy output of the brain is utilized in maintaining the physical body in its gravitational field. The more difficulty an animal has addressing gravity, the less energy available for eating, metabolism and healing. When the spinal column is brought into balance and alignment, the body’s nervous system and body biomechanics are maximized. The way your horse stands affects every physiological function from breathing to hormone production and digestion of food.
Adjusting the laminitic horse will address changes of nerve and blood flow to the feet.
The purpose of the chiropractic adjustment is to restore normal nerve supply through the detection and correction of vertebral subluxations. Health is provided when the energy that allowed your horse to develop from 2 cells into the majestic animal before you is allowed to function at 100%. When your horse doesn’t become laminitic, rest assured it was the routine chiropractic that helped prevent it.
Dr. Bill Ormston and Dr. Amy Hayek are a team of veterinarians who practice in 7 states. They own and operate Animal Chiropractic Education Source, the first school through which doctors can become certified in Animal Chiropractic via online studies. Though they are both licensed veterinarians, their practice is limited to hands-on chiropractic work, allowing the body of the animal to do what it does best without the interference of chemicals. Learn more about them at www.hyhh.tv. Have your veterinarians take their courses at www.animalchiropracticeducation.com