Pain...Balance...Performance

Horses want to work for their rider.  They mostly love their job.  When a horse isn't performing up to expectations there's always a reason.  The horse either doesn't understand what you're asking, physically cannot perform the task, or there is pain.  When you think your horse is being "naughty" or having behavioral problems, think again.  Most of these issues are physical and can be addressed and resolved with chiropractic care.  Also, please be aware that horses often times have emotional stresses such as fear that may cause behavioral or performance issues.  This is especially common in horses that were rescued. These also can be resolved but in other ways.  I will dedicate a whole page to this soon.   

What type of issues are helped with chiropractic?

Horses, especially considering their massive size, are amazingly  athletic and agile. Unfortunately their size puts them at a disadvantage  when it comes to the stress on their bodies.  Repetitive stresses and  acute injuries can cause the joints and muscles to become imbalanced.   Often times stress from relatively innocent activities can accumulate  and lead to an imbalance. 

This imbalance, particularly of the spinal column  causes negative neurologic changes which may cause changes in  coordination, flexibility, and strength ultimately affecting the  performance of your horse.

HORSES NEED TO BE BALANCED FOR OPTIMAL STRENGTH, FLEXIBILITY, COORDINATION, AND ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE!  
 

 The following is a list of symptoms that may indicate the need for chiropractic treatment.   

 1. Abnormal and varying posture when standing
2. Discomfort when saddling or riding
3. Evasions such as extending head and neck or hollowing back
4. Wringing tail and pinning ears
5. Refusal or resistance to jumping
6. Development of unusual behavior patterns
7. Sensitivity or pain
8. Stiffness, resistance to move
9. Lameness or lack of coordination in gaits
10. Stiffness when coming out of stall
11. Muscle weakness or atrophy
12. Shortened stride in one or two limbs
13. Inability to engage rear quarters
14. Inability to lengthen top line
15. Improper frame, conformation or parking out
16. Difficulty flexing at the poll
17. On line or pulling on one rein
18. Rider cannot sit centered on horse
19. Not using the back in movement (leg movers)
 

Imbalance in the spine causes problems in the nerves that supply other  cells such as those of the skin, glands, and blood vessels. Some of the  symptoms that result may be:
1. unusual body or tail rubbing
2. increased sensitivity to heat or cold
3. asymmetrical sweating or lack of sweating  4. difficulty eating, head pressing, etc...
 

The majority of his clients are from referrals!  Results speak for  themselves.  He has found and fixed issues in horses that other equine professionals have not either identified or fixed.   Dr. Hal is very intuitive as far as what your horse needs and takes the time to address and fix the soft tissue/muscle imbalances that go along with the joint restrictions.  Your horse receives a very specific "beyond massage" therapy along with the chiropractic adjustment.  He also is able to evaluate and clear the restrictions in the skull (see the page about craniosacral for more info).  If you don't have the head and jaw balanced you don't have a horse that has a chance to move properly. 

Dr. Hal has been a pioneer when it comes to blending multiple modalities to get the best possible results from the treatment.  Included in every treatment are the following methods:  Refer to individual pages for more details.

Craniosacral therapy

Osteopathic methods

Myofascial Release/unwinding

VERY specific and gentle chiropractic adjustments

Saddle Fit.

For those horses that require a deeper level of healing from severe injuries or chronic conditions Dr. Hal is trained in Pulsed Electro Magnetic Field Therapy as well as AcuScope and MyoPulse therapies.