| Inspiritus Equine, Inc. Integrated Soundness Solutions (sm) |
| ...Reveal the Equus Within! Dr. Joanna Robson, DVM, CVSMT, CMP, VA, SFT 707-738-7110 |
| VSMT FAQ: After the Evaluation 1. What do I do now that my horse has been adjusted? After the examination you have received a copy of your horse’s patient record. At the bottom of the page, findings have been noted, and a recommendation has been made as to your horse’s routine for the next few days. Hand-walking, lunging, riding, or strict rest may be advised. These instructions should be followed to ensure the best recovery and return to performance. Horses WILL experience inflammation, pain, and soreness following adjustment – this is a physiological fact! When we put things back into place that have been out for a period of time, inflammation ensues. At an anatomic level there are nerves, blood vessels, muscle fibers, and ligament/tendon structures that are all affected by subluxations and return to normal motion. This inflammation is akin to the soreness you experience after running 5 miles when you haven’t trained. You feel better in a few days, and your horse should, too. 2. To Bute or Not to Bute? Some practitioners strongly encourage or automatically prescribe bute following an adjustment. Bute will help to alleviate inflammation and pain, but may mask underlying issues or falsify the patient’s response to treatment. However, bute may be necessary in some cases and will be prescribed individually as needed. 3. Methocarb-what? Robaxin as a muscle-relaxant… Methocarbamol is a gentle muscle relaxant that will help to relieve spasming muscles. Many patients have muscle spasm due to ill-fitting equipment, compensatory changes, and inflammation post- adjustment. Used short term, Robaxin will help alleviate these muscle changes. Robaxin may be used longer-term in horses recovering from torn ligaments. Dosing may be adjusted to effect – please ask the vet! 4. My horse is really sore. What happened? Did we overdo it? Due to chronicity of disease, sometimes there is a more significant pain response than expected following treatment. Remember, we are trying to return the body to its normal physiologic state. Cellular and muscle memory (sometimes from years’ old injuries) are challenged through this adjustment, and toxins and inflammatory mediators are released when returning motion to areas that have been frozen or invaded by scar tissue. Provided there are no significant underlying pathologies, the soreness that results will be alleviated in a matter of days to a week. The aforementioned medications may be prescribed to hasten recovery. Some horses may only tolerate a minimal number of adjustments per session. 5. When does my horse need to be rechecked? Depending on the number of subluxations, the chronicity of the changes, and any underlying pathologies, rechecks may scheduled as soon as 1 week following the initial examination. An adjustment every 4-6 weeks is recommended for preventative care and performance maintenance. The Whole Horse Approach: Compassionate Understanding to Eliminate Pain and Maximize Longevity and Performance. |
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| Joanna Robson, DVM, CVSMT, CMP, VA, SFT 707-738-7110 |
