Read More:
	•	6 Ways to Look At Imbalances in Your Own Horse
	•	2 Simple Stretches

In January of this year, Joe Lally, DC, CAC came to my barn to treat my horse, Nick. Nick had been lame with sore stifles for over four months: he'd been x-rayed, received stifle injections, corrective shoeing, and stall rest. While he'd made minor improvements, he still wasn't rideable. During this time, I had my "regular" chiropractor adjust Nick and, while the treatments helped relieve some of the soreness in Nick's back, he was still lame. I'd spent a lot of money, lost months of riding time, and was at the end of my rope.

Fortunately, Dr. Lally's mix of chiropractic treatment, acupressure, and muscle work turned out to be just what Nick needed. Dr. Lally adjusted Nick's spine but indicated that Nick's problem was more muscle-related than structural. He used myofascial release (a form of deep tissue massage) on Nick's hind legs to loosen his stifles and said, "See how he goes." I was back in the saddle the next day, beginning the reconditioning work that has Nick in fine shape today. Nick was happy to return to regular turn-out with his pals—I was thrilled to have my riding partner out of retirement.

While Dr. Lally is the first to admit not all of his adjustments are as strikingly successful as Nick's, he has helped a significant number of horses return to work or improve their performance. Using a technique he calls Equine Performance Balancing, Dr. Lally uses chiropractic treatments in conjunction with muscle work, acupressure and myofascial therapy. Instead of focusing only on the spine, Dr. Lally also considers the muscles, connective tissue, and nerves that are affected by an imbalance in the horse. "You can start anywhere in this circle of nerve irritation, muscle spasm, and joints moving incorrectly," Dr. Lally says, "But you have to address the entire circle."

The result of Dr. Lally's work is an expanded definition of chiropractic care. "It's not just about relieving pain," he says. "Stress can degrade the function of any number of the horse's systems. In contrast, when the horse has normal nerve tone and comfort he can have better musculoskeletal and locomotive function . . . allowing all of his systems to work properly together."

Dr. Lally gives an example of a common problem that appears to be a localized issue, but that has ramifications throughout the horse's body. A subluxation (problem with correct joint movement) of the Atlas joint (the portion of the spine that intersects with the base of the skull) looks like a head and neck problem but can, in fact, affect the horse's proprioception—his ability to find balance. A problem that begins at the poll may make it difficult for the horse to bend to one side or carry himself straight.

"Horses who are difficult to bridle often have an Atlas subluxation," says Dr. Lally. "I worked on a Thoroughbred off the track who wouldn't let you touch his poll. He was otherwise a nice, strong, young horse, easy to work with." With one adjustment, the horse's nerve irritation was removed and he let his handlers bridle him. (Dr. Lally emphasizes that horses with long-standing problems are likely to need several adjustments to relieve long-term damage.)

In addition to balancing the horse's physical systems, Dr. Lally notes the importance of the trainer's role in monitoring the balance between horse and rider. If a horse responds well to an adjustment initially but needs frequent adjustments, it's possible that the rider is contributing to the imbalance. For example, a rider's imbalanced pelvis can cause imbalance in the horse. "These kind of dysfunctions become more evident in higher level competitions," Dr. Lally notes. "As you ask the horse to be more precise, you—as a rider—must be more precise." For example, problems that might not be evident on a trail ride may be critical in an upper level dressage or jumping performance.

Can all horses benefit from chiropractic care? Just like humans, there are no "perfect" horses. From dings in the pasture to damage in the trailer, very few horses reach adulthood without wear and tear. A chiropractic adjustment can be preventive (to check your horse's condition before a major effort), a maintenance check (to address minor problems before they are compounded), or a damage control effort (part of the healing process following any trauma).

"It's OK to take good care of your horse," Dr. Lally says. "If he worked hard for you all show season, he deserves the gift of a little extra care." If your horse has been injured, Dr. Lally notes, addressing issues quickly can avoid chronic internal scarring. If an injury is treated quickly, fewer treatments may be needed, which can make treatment less expensive.

In addition, brood mares can benefit from a post-birth check-up to address issues of birth-related trauma. It's also smart to check a foal who has had a difficult birth. Stallions, too, can benefit from a chiropractic assessment. A stallion with a spinal subluxation may experience enough nerve interference to make breeding difficult or painful.

A balanced approach to equine care is Dr. Lally's goal. "It takes a team to keep your horse in peak performance. Ideally, you want your vet, farrier, trainer, and rider to be working in concert with your chiropractor, massage therapist, and other health professionals. Communication between these professionals is essential." According to Dr. Lally, chiropractic care is just a piece of the puzzle that can keep your horse healthy and in peak performance—but an important piece it is.

Dr. Joe Lally, Certified Animal Chiropractor has been a professional body worker for over 20 years. A lifetime horse enthusiast, he uses gentle and effective techniques, incorporating proven handling methods. See his listing in our Directory of Services under Equine Performance Balancing.

Flying Changes : magazine for northwest sporthorse enthusiasts
19502 NE 134th Place : Battle Ground, WA 98604 USA
tel. (360) 687-0203 : fax (360) 687-4898 : mail@flyingchanges.com