What a wonderful list this is. I was going to
ask about the sacroiliac joints soon, just had not gotten around to it. Every
time I would go out during the day and see Silver resting one of his hind legs,
every time, I kept thinking I must get him to the Chiropractor. Now I need to
make a phone call, tomorrow, not tonight as it is past midnight. Thanks so much
for the information. Beccy in Ut.
In a message dated 2/20/2005 6:05:31 P.M. Mountain Standard Time,
rides2far@xxxxxxxx writes:
Well,
since I just typed this out for Cindy I might as well see if anybody else
is interested in it. It's from the book "Healing Your Horse Alternative
Therapies" This is in the Chiropractic section:
>snip<
One
common problem encountered in the equine chiropractic care is fixation or
subluxations of the sacroiliac joints. These joints connect the iliac bones
of the pelvis to the vertebral column at the sacrum. The normal movment at
these joints is limited but necessary for proper movement of the rear limb.
Subluxations of the sacroiliac joints result in a series of gait problems
that develop over time. At first, the sacroilicac fixation shortens the
stride of that rear limb. For example, a subluxated right sacroiliac joint
may cause a decreased stride of the right rear leg. Often this
sacroiliac fixation is accompanied by pelvic rotation. In movement the
horse compensates for the pelvic rotation by placing the opposite rear limb
inside of the normal line of progression or by rotating the limb as the
body weight passes over it. A right sacroiliac fixation can also cause the
left rear leg to be placed inside the normal line of progresssion or the
left hock to rotate or wobble. This causes abnormal stress in the joints of
that leg. The horse may then shift forward onto the forehand in an attempt
to compensate for the lack of flexibility in the sacroiliac joint. Shifting
forward will change the center of gravity of the horse's weight, increasing
the concussive stresses on the forelimbs. This becomes most serious on the
diagonal forelimb and may eventually result in lameness. In addition, the
horse compensates for pelvic rotation and fixed sacroiliac joints
by transferring stress to the lower back, causing further complications
in the lumbar vertebrae. Horses with sacroiliac fixations may display
some or all of these compensations. The sooner the sacroiliac subluxation
is corrected, the fewer compensations will
develop.
