Is it safe to get my horse or other animals adjusted?
Yes! Chiropractic care is generally safe for horses and other animals when performed by a highly trained and certified professional. Dr. Parker uses very gentle, specific and non-invasive techniques to assess and address musculoskeletal issues (misalignments) in the spine and joints which has shown to help decrease pain and inflammation as well as improvement in mobility, performance and overall well-being.
It’s the same for animals as it is for humans –we need a thorough evaluation to determine your horse’s specific needs and then provide the appropriate chiropractic treatment for those needs. Dr. Parker will always prioritize your horse’s well-being and work closely with both you and your veterinarian to provide safe and effective care for your horse.
How often does my horse need to be adjusted?
Horses that are under regular vigorous training such as elite performance horses: hunter/jumpers, eventing, endurance. Barrel racing, cutting, ranch horse or cow horse work to name a few, Dr. Parker recommends that you have your horse checked and adjusted every 4-6 weeks and not to exceed 8 weeks. Horses that are not ridden or worked very often such as retired horses, horses used for breeding or the occasional easy trail ride, can go as long as 4-6 months between chiropractic adjustments. However, every horse is different based on their history and specific needs coupled with their discipline and frequency of work.
Does my horse need a day off after being adjusted?
Dr. Parker recommends that you give your horse 24-48 hours of rest following each adjustment. They need time to process the adjustment.
You can take them for a walk on a lead rope or turn out in a small area like a round pen or small paddock is ideal. They need to move their legs so they don’t get stiff but we don’t want them kicking at other horses or getting kicked.
What should I expect during an equine chiropractic appointment?
During a horse chiropractic appointment, you can expect a thorough evaluation of your horse and gentle, hands-on chiropractic adjustments.
We will start by discussing your horse’s medical history, current health status, and any specific concerns or issues you’re noticing, what your horse’s job is and how often your horse is in training, traveling to shows etc. This helps Dr. Parker understand your horse’s needs.
Dr. Parker will then perform a comprehensive physical examination, observing your horse’s posture, gait, and range of motion and check reflexes. Dr. Parker will then palpate (feel), various parts of the body to identify any areas of tension, pain, or restriction.
Dr. Parker will perform the appropriate chiropractic adjustments to the spine, limbs and other joints as needed to restore alignment and motion to the joints. The chiropractic adjustments are gentle and specific to each horse’s needs.
After the adjustments, Dr. Parker will discuss her findings, the adjustments that were performed and recommendations for any necessary home care such as stretching and exercises, as well as follow-up care to best support your horse’s healing process and to maintain overall well-being and optical performance.
Can Chiropractic care for my horse help with specific conditions?
These are some of the problems animal chiropractic can address for your equines.
- Poor performance
- Changes in behavior or attitude
- Inability to pick up both leads or maintain
- a lead or cross-cantering / cross-firing
- Wide turns
- Timing is off
- Refusing jumps
- Difficulty flexing at the pole
- Soreness over saddle area
- Discomfort when saddled – Girthy or cinchy
- Abnormal posture – Changes in posture or topline
- Bucking
- Back or neck pain, uneven pelvis or hips
- Tail pain or holding tail abnormally
- Uneven muscle development
- Gait issues – Dragging a toe, tripping
- Short striding
- Head shaking or Head bobbing
- Head tilt
- Lack of symmetry, eyes or ears not even
- Dropping feed, difficulty chewing
- Refusing the bit
- Pain responses
- Stiffness – difficulty bending to one side
- Rear or front-end lameness
- Hock, Stifle or other joint issues
- Resistance to backing up
- Difficulty picking up feet
- Sudden resistance to loading in trailer –
- hesitant to picking up feet, step up or down
How do I know if my horse needs an adjustment?
My horse “feels off”. Dr. Parker hears this often!
Some of the problems animal chiropractic can address for your equines.
- Poor performance
- Changes in behavior or attitude
- Inability to pick up both leads or maintain
- a lead or cross-cantering / cross-firing
- Wide turns
- Timing is off
- Refusing jumps
- Difficulty flexing at the pole
- Soreness over saddle area
- Discomfort when saddled – Girthy or cinchy
- Abnormal posture – Changes in posture or topline
- Bucking
- Back or neck pain, uneven pelvis or hips
- Tail pain or holding tail abnormally
- Uneven muscle development
- Gait issues – Dragging a toe, tripping
- Short striding
- Head shaking or Head bobbing
- Head tilt
- Lack of symmetry, eyes or ears not even
- Dropping feed, difficulty chewing
- Refusing the bit
- Pain responses
- Stiffness – difficulty bending to one side
- Rear or front-end lameness
- Hock, Stifle or other joint issues
- Resistance to backing up
- Difficulty picking up feet
- Sudden resistance to loading in trailer –
- hesitant to picking up feet, step up or down
Chiropractic is best used as maintenance or preventive care. If you wait until a problem arises, Dr. Parker has to fix those issues first before reaching the maintenance or wellness phase of care, just like with humans. It’s always better to be ahead of the curve which allows your horse to feel good and perform their best for you.
What if my horse needs to be sedated for the adjustment?
Dr. Parker is not a veterinarian, and legally only veterinarians can sedate your animals.
If she feels that it’s necessary, we will have you contact your veterinarian and have them meet us for the appointment and they can perform the sedation for you.
Why do I need a vet referral form signed?
In the state of Texas, for your animal to receive chiropractic care, a Veterinarian Referral Form must be completed and signed by both the owner and Veterinarian. If a patient is not a candidate for animal chiropractic or needs further diagnostics from their vet before receiving care, we will not treat and will refer to the patient’s vet as necessary. Chiropractic services are not meant to replace traditional veterinary care, but rather an integrative method that when used in conjunction, will make a positive impact in your animal’s life – working together for the betterment of the animal.
Do you travel to my area?
For large animals, we travel from Central to North Texas (Austin, Texas Hill Country, along 71 to the Columbus / Weimar area, along I-10 to Katy and surrounding areas, Hwy 290 out of Austin to Elgin and surrounding areas).
Dr. Parker travels to North Texas for large barns only.
If you would like to get your area on one of our routes, please call, text or email us to get on the list.
info@heardandhoofchiro.com | (512) 627-9011
Dr. Parker is also available for horse shows at Great Southwest Equestrian Center.
Can I trailer my horse or show animals to you?
Not at this time. We do not have a designated location to adjust animals. We are looking into it though!
Do you come out to FFA Ag Barns?
Yes, Dr. Parker would love to come to your barn to adjust your animals. She is also available for speaking engagements.
Can my dog and I get adjusted while you’re here to adjust my horses or show animals?
Yes! Dr. Parker loves adjusting people, we call them “Barn Humans”, when she comes out to adjust your horses and show animals. **Dr. Parker does not travel to homes or barns for people only.
How much does a Chiropractic session cost?
Please contact us (call, text or email) for pricing.
info@heardandhoofchiro.com | (512) 627-9011
Travel fees may apply.
How long does an animal chiropractic adjustment take?
On average, it usually takes 30-45 for large animals and 15-20 min for small animals.
Do you adjust dogs and cats?
Yes! For example, dogs respond very well to Chiropractic care. These are some of the common issues seen in the office:
- Stiffness
- Leg weakness
- Muscle spasm
- Inability to run / walk normally
- Pain from arthritis
- Hip Dysplasia
- Acute and chronic neck and back pain
- Disc injuries / Intervertebral Disc Disease
- Post-surgery recovery
- Osteoarthritis
- Preventative care for performance / agility dogs
- Not playing with their toys
- Dropping food
- Can’t look up or down
- Postural changes / Hunched back
- Reduced mobility
- Trouble standing, lying down, or jumping
- Changes in personality or behavior
- Difficulties with climbing stairs
- Abnormal sitting or standing position
- Abnormal gait, like limping or dragging back legs
- Chewing or licking on legs or paws
- Sensitivity to touch
- Inability to lower or raise head
- Recurring ear or anal gland infections
- Digestive issues
- Wellness care for geriatric pets
A highly skilled animal Chiropractor will quickly identify any abnormal musculoskeletal issues your pet has and then free the nerve system by applying very gentle and specific chiropractic adjustments to those areas restoring motion and proper alignment to the joints. This, in turn, will restore the brain to body communication, increase motion and reduce inflammation allowing the body to heal itself.
Dr. Parker adjusts other small animals too!
If you suspect any of these unwanted conditions in your pet, consider Dr. Parker as your Austin dog chiropractor. Click Here to book an appointment.
Is Dr. Parker available for speaking engagements?
Yes! Please contact us (call, text or email) for scheduling.