Equine Chiropractic Care
A Brief Look At This Equine Care Profession
Equine chiropractic care is a form of alternative care that many horse owners utilize for a variety of health ailments. Chiropractors that provide care for horses treat them much like they may that of human patients.
The chiropractor helps to treat misalignments in the spine of the horse. Owners usually turn to chiropractic care when their horses are, for example, having less tolerance to being saddled and worked, are demonstrating increased signs of stiffness, or showing increased signs of back soreness.
A chiropractic adjustment is defined as a "short lever, high velocity controlled thrust by hand or instrument that is directed at specific articulations to correct vertebral subluxations" (www.avcadoctors.com).
Below we will be discussing who provides this type of care and the training needed to become an equine chiropractor.
Who Provides This Care?
Chiropractic care for a horse or other animals should always be provided by a certified individual and in conjunction with the horse's primary care veterinarian. The American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA) is a professional organization that promotes and certifies animal and equine chiropractic professionals.Horse owners looking for a reputable chiropractor to treat their horse(s) should try to find one that is AVCA certified.
So who exactly provides this type of care to horses? Both veterinarians and chiropractors can get the post-graduate training needed to become an equine chiropractic professional.
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What Type Of Education or Training is Needed?
Both types of professionals are certified through the Animal Chiropractic Commission (ACCC) of the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association. This is considered the main national level of credentials for equine chiropractic care.Certified individuals have to pass a written comprehensive and clinical examination. There are also post graduate education programs that train and prepare equine chiropractic professionals prior to them taking the certification examination.
According to the AVCA, certification is only valid for a period of three years. After this time, those who are certified are required and responsible for renewing their certification.
To renew a certification and continue to provide chiropractic care, professionals must meet the recertification requirements. These requirements include:
- Must acquire at least 30 approved credits every three years
- Twenty or more must be from ACCC approved animal chiropractic continuing education
- A maximum of ten credits can come from pre-approved cross-professional training, pre-approved certificant lectures/presentations, or observation of another ACCC/AVCA certified care provider
