After a long and hard winter, spring is trying to take hold. These past few months have been hard on everyone; 2-legged and 4-legged alike. The extreme cold weather has kept many of us from enjoying the outdoors and the effects are being felt. As the weather warms up I am excited for the riding season to really begin!

We have had several cases of EHV-1 in Minnesota over the last few weeks. Everyone in the horse community is on edge. Keeping up to date on this topic can be challenging. The MN Board of Animal Health has been updating their site and can be a good source of information. 

We all need to take precautions and be vigilante. Biosecurity measures may be a hassle but the consequences can be worse. Herpes is mainly spread through contact of body secretions, so nose to nose contact is a primary focus. Quarantining a horse can be a challenge, but it has to be done correctly and your veterinarian can help make suggestions for quarantine situations. The AAEP has a Biosecurity Risk Calculator. This tool can help get owners to think about biosecurity as well as getting an indicator of risk potential on their farm.

If you can limit exposure, do so. It may be worth sitting out a few shows/races until we get a handle on this current out break. Check with show coordinators and barn managers for current restrictions. 

I utilize acupuncture in small animals with mobility issues such as hip dysplasia and joint arthritis. Acupuncture can decrease pain and help bring balance to the body. Pain can be very debilitating. The goal of western and chinese medicine is to help alleviate this pain, but acupuncture goes a step further by helping to relieve stagnation of the natural energy with in the body. Essentially acupuncture helps the body to maintain balance and health.

I utilize acupuncture in horses for a wide variety of musculoskeletal issues. Poor saddle fit can cause back pain and back pain can lead to decreased performance and unwanted behavior such as bucking, kicking out and being cinchy. As in dogs, arthritis is a major contributor to decreased athletic ability. Hocks are one of the most common sites for arthritis to occur, but arthritis can occur in any joint. Injections can be very beneficial, but some owners may opt for a more conservative route by utilizing acupuncture. Electro-acupuncture works great for pain and also helps support the nerves.

Inactivity is detrimental to mobility.  Arthritic joints can seize up and cause stiffness and pain. In fact every day living in general can be hard on the body. When one joint has a restriction it puts more pressure on the next joint to allow the animal to move. This is a part of compensation. If the joint is not able to relieve the restriction it can set up a domino effect on the spine which in turn will affect the limbs.

With regular chiropractic care I am able to decrease the restrictions in the spine to help maintain function and mobility of the joint. Some owners may not notice that their pet is compensating for restrictions until the animal is limping or they notice the animal is "stiff". In dogs, they may not want to take the stairs or jump. In horses, we see resistance to being asked to do certain maneuvers, such as lead changes. 

Now with spring on the way, normal outdoor activities can resume comfortably. Getting ourselves and our dogs and horses back in shape after the long winter will be a priority. Getting a spring chiropractic "tune up" can be extremely beneficial. Relieving restrictions in the spine can help get your horse or dog back to enjoying their conditioning and get back in shape for the season.