Chiropractic Care for Horseback Riders
By Genevieve Smith
Riding a horse is an invigorating experience. The rider connects with an animal that holds incredible physical power. One can engage with horseback in a way that can be energizing, calming, or competitive. Regardless of how you ride, the ever-shifting weight distribution your body experiences while horseback riding can take a toll on skeletal alignment and joint health. On top of that, taking care of your horse -- and possibly even getting bucked or thrown off -- can lead to injury that can be reduced through chiropractic care.
Constantly Changing Weight Distribution
As the horse shifts from trot to canter and gallop, your body has to adjust constantly. Not only are your joints affected by the animal’s speed, but also by the ever-changing angles of the horse’s body. This can throw your skeletal structure out of alignment, and lead to injuries, either in the moment or down the road.
Injuries from Falls, Stable Upkeep, And More
While riding has its set of stressors on your structure, regularly riding and taking care of a horse can increase your risks of injury. Whether you’re cleaning out the stable, changing your horse’s shoe, or you are catapulted off a mare’s back, there are opportunities for injury. However, misaligned bones and joints can lead to more dramatic accidents as the muscles surrounding misalignments can already be in pain and tensed to the point that regular injury can be exacerbated.
How Spinal Alignment Can Help
A preventative regime of chiropractic adjustments can lead to a healthier equestrian experience. Through the process of alignment, riders can look toward reducing the impact of future injuries, as well as getting into a better groove with the horse’s gait. The more you're in alignment, the more control you have over moving accurately in response to your horse's movements.
Nipping misalignment in the bud before it has a major effect on your riding can save you a great deal of trouble. As with all athletics, chiropractic is available to enhance performance, prevent injury, and help you heal quicker when you do, indeed, get hurt. If you’re looking to incorporate chiropractic into your healthcare routine, give The Joint a call to learn more about the team of chiropractors ready to serve you. The Joint has affordable pricing and welcomes walk-ins. Until then, happy riding!
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.