Becoming an equine chiropractor/college options.

[HP_sblueskyenterprise]

Simple question, how to you become an equine chiropractor? I have heard so many different answers though! Most tell me that you have to become a full fledged vet first or a human chiropractor, others tell met that the path is changing and you can set out on a different course without having to become a vet.

On a more personal side, I have several questions.
Vet school while a good option seems slightly impractical as it is not only expensive but takes a huge portion of time. What are the other paths to becoming accredited for other jobs such as equine massage, acupuncture, and other fields of sports medicine. How far will a Bachelors in Animal Science get you? How far will a Pre-vet degree get you? I will minor in equine science, but am left wondering as to a practical idea for a major. Maybe business, but a business degree combined with a minor in equine science, just doesn’t like it would land a tangible (as in making money while being involved in the industry, I don’t mean necessarily hands-on with horses, though that’d be great) job with horses, although the business degree would probably open up other options. Another option would be to major in Animal Science with a minor in equine. I would like to get a solid job dealing with equine science in the industry working with horses in case the whole trainer/working student/thing doesn’t work out. I am just not really sure of the options out there and where they will land me. Suggestions on colleges with these options would be wonderful too. Thanks.

[Brooke]

I believe there is a bill pending (or at least a push for one) that states that chiropractic, massage, floating teeth, basically anything that is considered health related must be either done by a vet or under the ‘direct supervision’ of a vet. I don’t remember if this is just a California bill (I don’t think so) but I’d wait to see what happens before starting school. I’d also ask a chiropractor what s/he’s heard about it.

[McVillesMom]

I am an equine veterinarian that does exclusively complementary medicine. You need to check your state’s veterinary practice act. In many states, one has to be either a licensed veterinarian or a human chiropractor working under the direction of a veterinarian to perform spinal manipulation on animals. To perform acupuncture on animals, one MUST be a licensed veterinarian in every state that I know of (again, check your state’s practice act).

[netg]

I wouldn’t have chiropractic done by a non-vet. The amount of detailed knowledge of horse anatomy required prior to doing any kind of manipulation is too important to my horses’ wellbeing.

On the other hand, massage I do use someone from a massage program who is not a vet - and because it is not moving the interface between bones I think it is a far less dangerous thing. That said, the vet chiro I use has always preferred having my massage therapist available at the time of adjustment, because if there is a significant issue it can cause muscle spasms which will pull whatever is out of alignment back out almost immediately.

[AutumnReign]

[QUOTE=McVillesMom;8484080]
I am an equine veterinarian that does exclusively complementary medicine. You need to check your state’s veterinary practice act. In many states, one has to be either a licensed veterinarian or a human chiropractor working under the direction of a veterinarian to perform spinal manipulation on animals. To perform acupuncture on animals, one MUST be a licensed veterinarian in every state that I know of (again, check your state’s practice act).[/QUOTE]

I know this to be true in Ontario laws - you must be a Vet or a human chiro. One of the best chiro’s in this area is a human chiro, or started that way and now all her clients are four legged.

There is a school in BC that offers courses, or at least it used to. But again, check the legislation in your area.

[Justmyluck]

The only two ways do do this is to become a human chiropractor and study afterwards for horses or become a veterinarian and then study chiropractic medicine afterwards. You much be a veterinarian to perform acupuncture.

[SonnysMom]

Most of the horse chiro’s in this area are vets that do chiro as part of the practice on now only do chiro. Two of the three I can think of do acupuncture as well. I am not sure if the 3rd does acupuncture but I would be surprised if she didn’t.

There is another local chiropractor that is a human chiropractor first. She does not do acupuncture.

My massage therapist got her human massage therapist certification first and then quickly got her equine massage therapy certification. I think the school she went to required he human one first. She only has a few long time human clients left and almost exclusively does horses now. She figures when it gets too hard for her to physically do horses she will go back to massaging humans and get an office so she doesn’t have to travel. I thought that was great long term planning.

[HP_sblueskyenterprise]

Thanks Sonny, I like that idea of learning human massage and then equine.

[Tiger_Paws]

Before you decide on a career path seriously look into your prospects of earning a living.

There is a school close to me that offers a very expensive equine massage therapy course. The course has been offered for years, and I do not know of even a single person who has been able to make any money working exclusively as an equine massage therapist. Graduates of the program end up having to go back and get their certification as human massage therapists in order to make a living.

[Nancy]

Google…Heidi Bockhold, she has school in Kansas & is very well thought of.

[no.stirrups]

Two of my favorite equine chiros are not vets - one did a long apprenticeship to get started, the other has a PhD in Equine something-or-other. Biomechanics maybe? Whether it is legal or not is a question for someone else! In general, I, like most people, prefer that my chiro is also a vet in many cases. On the other hand, one of the chiros that I will never use again is a vet. Having a DVM is not a guarantee of competence!

Along similar lines to the career paths you are considering is saddle-fitting. As a saddle-fitter I also need a working knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics. I need a sharp eye for subtle clues to diagnose problems. I need to be able to put my hands on horses and feel what is going on under the surface. While it seems their is a massage therapist on every street corner sometimes, there is a definite shortage of saddle fitters in the US.

Food for thought?