Frequency of Chiropractic Adjustments?

[Amy3996]

If you have an equine chiropractor work on your horse, how often do you typically have them adjusted?

My vet is a certified equine chiropractor and while I adore her and have seen great results with my old horse, I’m questioning the frequency of adjustments in her typical treatment plan. She wants to schedule every horse for an adjustment every four weeks. For some of the horses in our barn, I can totally see why that might be necessary or at least suggested (rehab horses, etc.).

But for a young, sound, healthy horse like mine, I can’t help but wonder if a more conservative approach would be appropriate. He’s a 5yo OTTB who’s been off the track for two years. He’s in regular work, sound, muscling up appropriately. Doesn’t seem reactive or sore anywhere, and he had an uneventful first consult/adjustment with our vet/chiro. She found a few minor spots but nothing glaring.

I was thinking more along the lines of every 2-3 months or as needed if he goes and does something stupid in turnout or something seems sore/NQR. “As little as possible, as much as necessary” is kind of my theory about it.

Am I off base in that?

[mmeqcenter]

I have them done like once a year…

[Knubbsy]

My vet chiro says one month for aggressively competing for animals (dogs or horses), 2-3 months for generally active, and 4 months for semi/retirees and those in casual work.

[LCDR]

Every two months for about 5 years now, with my vet with chiropractic training. I thought it was like voodoo at first, but I am beginning to come around. I am still a skeptic at this point, but she also uses more conventional treatments such as joint injections. Plus, it keeps her seeing my horses on a regular schedule, whether they are having problems or not, and it gives us a chance to talk. For that alone, it is worth the regular chiropractic visits.

[fourfillies]

We do every 8-12 weeks. Competing hunters.

[walkinthewalk]

If you are in tune enough to your horse(s) to know when they are off, my thought is “as needed”.

My 25 yr old horse has a twice-fractured sacrum, thus sees the vet/chiro monthly, plus I do red light therapy on him every day during the cold months.

X-rays of my Rottweiler’s back and hips showed damage in the sacrum area, which was there when she was rehomed to me at 18 months old. She will be four years in March and also sees the vet/chiro monthly:(

My 26 yr old horse sees the chiro as needed, which is almost bi-monthly because he still thinks he is six and can’t behave himself in the pasture:)

[LovieBird]

My gelding is a 10-12 week kind of guy. I find it helpful to follow up chiropractor appointments with massage therapy a week or so later.

[SolarFlare]

Mine started on a program last year and he is every 6 weeks, but he has a rehabbed SI injury. It has helped him quite a bit - both my coach and I have seen a difference.

I would think if you’re just doing preventative maintenance that it wouldn’t be nearly that frequently.

[Goforward]

I get the horses done as needed. Whenever I feel a decline in performance, I call the vet for an adjustment. Usually, while he’s here he will check whichever horses I put in the lineup. He only adjusts the ones who really need it and has lower rates for a partial adjustment vs. a full body adjustment. Because this vet doesn’t over treat, I’m always willing to have him check the whole barn. It really keeps us on top of soundness issues.

[brody]

My old guys with issues get seen monthly but otherwise I’m with Knubbsy.