What I Look for During an Equine Chiropractic Evaluation

What I Look for During an Equine Chiropractic Evaluation

One of the questions I get asked fairly often is what I’m actually looking for during an evaluation.

And the answer is—it’s not just one thing.

When I evaluate a horse, I’m looking at how the entire body moves and functions together. Most of the time, the most important information comes from the subtle things.

Here’s a general breakdown of what I pay attention to.

Movement First

Before anything else, I watch the horse move.

This includes:

• Walking and trotting in a straight line

• Movement on a circle

• Transitions when possible

I’m looking for symmetry, rhythm, and how fluid the movement is overall.

Posture and Stance

Even at rest, horses tell you a lot.

I look at how they stand:

• Weight distribution

• Limb positioning

• Overall balance

Small shifts here can reveal a lot about compensation patterns.

Spinal Motion

As I move into a hands-on evaluation, I assess motion through the spine.

I’m feeling for areas that are not moving as well as they should, or areas that feel restricted compared to the rest of the body.

Pelvic and Shoulder Balance

The pelvis and shoulders play a major role in movement and coordination.

I’m looking at how these areas are functioning individually and how they’re working together.

Putting It All Together

No single finding tells the whole story.

It’s the combination of movement, posture, and motion that gives the clearest picture of how the horse is functioning.

Every horse is different, which is why every evaluation is a little different as well.