Your vet doesn’t have to be the only member of your horse’s health team. There are a variety of alternative therapies that might be right for your horse. An equine chiropractor can make a big difference in a horse’s comfort and performance, but it’s important to find a talented chiropractor. Put these tips to use when it’s time for you to find a great equine chiropractor.

Ask Your Vet for a Referral

Your vet can be an excellent source of information when it comes to reputable, skilled chiropractors in your area. Many vet offices work in tandem with a specific chiropractor, ensuring that horses get the treatments they need. Check with your vet and ask them if they can refer you to a chiropractor.

Ask Other Horse Owners for Recommendations

Other horse owners may be able to recommend chiropractors that they have previously worked with. Horse owners may have had excellent results with a particular chiropractor, which may indicate that the chiropractor could be a great fit for you and your horse. Be sure to pay attention to any warning stories you hear, too.

Carefully Read About a Chiropractor’s Education and Experience

Once you have the names of a few potential chiropractors, see if they have a website. Read up on the chiropractor’s education and experience. You may want to research the reputation of the schools that the chiropractor attended. Make sure that you choose a chiropractor who has plenty of experience – while a chiropractor just out of school may be very talented, you can’t replace the value of firsthand experience.

Consider Rates

Rates for equine chiropractic services vary according to each individual chiropractor. While you shouldn’t automatically hire a chiropractor just because he or she charges less, you should always consider the full cost when choosing the right chiropractor. Remember that typically, the distance that a chiropractor will have to travel to your barn will also factor into the cost.

Schedule a Trial Appointment and Evaluate Results

The only true way to determine whether the chiropractor you’ve chosen will work out is to have him or her come out for an appointment with your horse. Make arrangements to be present at the appointment, and provide the chiropractor with as much information as possible about your horse’s medical history and current problems.

During the appointment, your horse may get a little antsy or uncomfortable, especially if he hasn’t had chiropractic treatments before. If the chiropractor is working to alleviate a particular issue, it’s a great idea to take photos or video footage both before and after the appointment to observe any changes.

A great equine chiropractor will explain their findings to you, be skilled in working with your horse, and will be an excellent partner in keeping your horse in his optimal physical condition. It’s well worth it to spend the time necessary to find a great equine chiropractor.

 With equine health comes equine safety! 

As always, Classic Equine Equipment products can help keep your horse in a safe and healthy environment! We can help keep your horse in shape by supplying you with products such as indoor/outdoor arenas and exercisers.