Other treatment options include magnets and electrostimulation of acupuncture points. Acupuncture can help treat problems such as sarcoids, tendon problems, sore backs, stifles, laminitis, navicular disease, neck reductions, colic, and in some cases, fertility problems. Acupuncture will not solve all medical problems but remains an excellent and safe alternative when conventional methods have failed. Another ancient medical art from the East is chiropractic care, dating back 3,500 years. Frequently, acupuncture and chiropractic care is used in tandem to achieve even greater results than those gained with either therapy individually.
Many horses suffer from misaligned vertebrae in their necks, backs, and ribs.
These types of problems tend to be more predominant in roping and cutting horses or horses that have sustained neck or back trauma at one time or another. A diagnosis of misaligned vertebrae or pinched nerves is made by an equine chiropractor after referral of a veterinarian. An initial chiropractic exam consists of a case history, posture analysis, gait analysis, static joint palpation, palpation of moving joints, a check for different spine temperatures, and muscle palpation. During a posture analysis a chiropractor looks at any abnormal foot placement, improper head tilt, or scoliosis. The gait analysis looks at the horse in motion, specifically for lameness or pain.