Caring For Your Horse in Winter - Patricia Holl Equine Chiropractor Animal Chiropractor in Billings Montana

Well, we're in the throes of winter, and when it’s cold to us, it’s cold to our horses. Though horses adapt incredibly well to winter and grow ‘winter coats’ for added protection and insulation against the elements, we still need to ensure that they are adequately prepared and fortified throughout the winter months. If you keep your horse in a stall or barn, always be sure that the bedding is clean and changed regularly. Be sure there is good ventilation, as this is vital for your horse’s respiration, however be aware of ‘drafty’ areas, particularly in frosty temps. If you winter your horse outdoors, be sure to provide a wind block. Most horses accustomed to being outdoors adapt and will grow long, warm coats which retain body heat for insulation, but a frigid wind can penetrate most things. Additionally, rain and ‘wet cold’ can be challenging to withstand. You may want to consider blanketing your horse. Blankets are particularly helpful for the older horse, or perhaps one that is injured and cannot run around freely. There are many wonderful types of blankets, ranging from lightweight to heavy, depending on the need, and there are numerous resources online delineating these distinctions. If you ride your horse throughout the winter, remember these tips: Always prepare your horse by warming up, particularly a horse that has been corralled for any length of time. As with us, freezing temps can injure improperly prepared tissues. A comprehensive grooming will warm the muscles, tendons and ligaments by promoting circulation. Also, don’t neglect your horse’s hooves. Packed snow and ice buildup in the hoof can be treacherous, particularly in terrain that might also be snowy or icy. Warm the bit and tack before use. Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, remember to check the water in your horse’s watering areas. Automatic heating waterers are great if you have them, but if not, try insulated buckets. These are just a few of the reminders that will help provide your horse with the love and care they deserve, even when ‘Old Man Winter’ is in town! Have a comment? Join in, and stay warm!

Canine Hip Dysplasia - Patricia Holl - Canine Chiropractor Equine Chiropractor Animal Chiropractor in Billings Montana

Hip dysplasia is a malformation of the hip joint, usually beginning with a subluxation of the femoral head in the acetabular cavity. What this means is that the thigh bone (femur) isn't sitting appropriately in the hip joint (acetabulum). This leads to premature wear and tear of the joint, and left unattended, can evolve to progressive degenerative joint disease. This condition can cause hip and leg pain, stiffness, lameness, reluctance to rise, abnormal gait, ‘bunny hopping’, and muscle atrophy. Secondary symptoms may include neuralgia, sacroiliac joint pain, facet syndrome and spinal subluxations. Though predominantly found in larger breeds, hip dysplasia can be seen in any breed at any age. The standard diagnostic technique is x-ray, which is critical for visualizing bone degeneration. The causes of this condition may include genetic, environmental and/or nutritional components. Additionally, chronic wear and tear caused by aggressive training or competition may prematurely wear down the joints. Treatment may include weight control, and gentle exercise such as long walks to stimulate cartilage growth and help prevent muscle atrophy. Other options include Regenerative Injection Therapies, such as Prolotherapy and Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy to help regenerate and reinforce the ligaments and tendons surrounding the joint. Depending on the severity of this condition, medication may be indicated to control pain and reduce inflammation. In the more advanced cases, surgical intervention is an option to modify, repair or replace the joint. Remember that these pups will usually benefit from chiropractic management in the neighboring joints and spine to stimulate the nervous system and boost immunity. Have a comment? Join in!

Caring For Your Horse in Winter - Pat Holl Equine Chiropractor in Billings Montana Animal Chiropractor

Well, it’s just about winter, and when it’s cold to us, it’s cold to our horses. Though horses adapt incredibly well to winter and grow ‘winter coats’ for added protection and insulation against the elements, we still need to ensure that they are adequately prepared and fortified throughout the winter months. If you keep your horse in a stall or barn, always be sure that the bedding is clean and changed regularly. Be sure there is good ventilation, as this is vital for your horse’s respiration, however be aware of ‘drafty’ areas, particularly in frosty temps. If you winter your horse outdoors, be sure to provide a wind block. Most horses accustomed to being outdoors adapt and will grow long, warm coats which retain body heat for insulation, but a frigid wind can penetrate most things. Additionally, rain and ‘wet cold’ can be challenging to withstand. You may want to consider blanketing your horse. Blankets are particularly helpful for the older horse, or perhaps one that is injured and cannot run around freely. There are many wonderful types of blankets, ranging from lightweight to heavy, depending on the need, and there are numerous resources online delineating these distinctions. If you ride your horse throughout the winter, remember these tips: Always prepare your horse by warming up, particularly a horse that has been corralled for any length of time. As with us, freezing temps can injure improperly prepared tissues. A comprehensive grooming will warm the muscles, tendons and ligaments by promoting circulation. Also, don’t neglect your horse’s hooves. Packed snow and ice buildup in the hoof can be treacherous, particularly in terrain that might also be snowy or icy. Warm the bit and tack before use. Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, remember to check the water in your horse’s watering areas. Automatic heating waterers are great if you have them, but if not, try insulated buckets. These are just a few of the reminders that will help provide your horse with the love and care they deserve, even when ‘Old Man Winter’ is in town! Have a comment? Join in, and stay warm!

Chiropractic Maintenance and Preventative Care - Pat Holl Animal Chiropractor Billings Montana Equine Canine Chiropractic

Hi guys. Been busy these days, but thought I'd send out a reminder on the benefits of preventative care and consistent chiropractic maintenance.  You know that regular chiropractic management can not only help the body heal, but also facilitates a healthier, stronger and more resilient patient. Well here are some other benefits to think about: chiropractic care can increase circulation and help eliminate lactic acid. It increases delivery of oxygen and nutrient supply, helps reduce muscle spasms and adhesions, increases flexibility and can improve overall health. Additionally, chiropractic care can address the micro injuries resulting from everyday stress, assisting recovery and enhancing overall quality of life. And what goes for us, goes for our pets. So, a little maintenance and prevention can make a big difference, and regular chiropractic care can markedly improve your life! Have a comment? Join the conversation!

Brain Health - Patricia Holl Animal Chiropractor in Billings Montana Equine Canine

Hi all! I know it’s been a few weeks since you’ve heard from me, but I’ve been busy. Most recently, I was attending an advanced ‘Functional Neurology’ course in Milwaukee, exercising my brain. That’s right, my brain! In order for our brains to perform optimally, they require a regular fitness program, just like the rest of our bodies. Our brains function most efficiently when they are in a balanced state. This includes a balance between neurotransmitters like Glutamate and GABA, balanced calcium ions and cellular stability. As we age, some of our brains’ processes can become less active, resulting in loss of memory function and mental disorganization. So, here are a few things we can do to maintain optimal brain fitness:

1.      EXERCISE. According to Harvard Psychiatry Professor John Ratey, author of  Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and The Brain, ‘nothing beats exercise for promoting brain health’.

2.      DIET and NUTRITION: James Joseph, neuroscientist at the Agricultural Research Service writes: ‘vitamins and minerals in plant foods provide protective antioxidants, but fruits vegetables, nuts, seeds and grains contain thousands of other types of compounds that contribute significantly to the overall dietary intake of antioxidants.’ Antioxidants help to provide energy for brain cell activity. And avoid smoking and excessive alcohol intake, as toxins can build up and break down cellular integrity.

3.      KEEP YOUR MIND SHARP: Read, learn a new language or learn to play a musical instrument. Increased focus can improve brain fitness by promoting concentration, alertness and blood flow to the brain.

 

So, when you’re thinking about your fitness, don’t forget about your brain. After that 'Crossfit' workout, go home, eat a balanced meal, and read an article or a book. Start those piano lessons you've been thinking about. Learn a new song. Oh, and by the way, what goes for us, goes for our pets. Make sure their diet is high in nutrient supply and they have plenty of clean water. Maintaining a strong, dependable and healthy brain will ensure years of productivity and health! Have a comment? Join the conversation.

The Importance of Water - Pat Holl Animal Chiropractor in Montana

Let’s face it, water is vital to your health. It is the main component of the human body, and every cell requires it. Water assists metabolism and helps remove toxins, particularly from the digestive tract. It cushions and lubes joints and muscles, and transports nutrients and oxygen into cells. It regulates body temperature, and reduces risk of disease and infection. Researchers at Loma Linda University in California found that people who drank more than 5 glasses of water a day were less likely to die from a heart attack or heart disease. When your body becomes dehydrated, harmful effects can ensue. Chronic cellular dehydration leaves the body in a weakened state, leading to vulnerability and imbalances. These may include fatigue, migraines, muscle cramps, dry skin, exhaustion and poor metabolism. Benefits of drinking water include losing weight, as drinking water reduces hunger. Additionally, thirst can be mistaken for hunger, so it might be a glass of water your body is craving, rather than that afternoon snack. Water is a natural remedy for headache pain, as dehydration is a common headache contributor. It relieves fatigue, as your body works harder when dehydrated to pump out the oxygenated blood to cells, Also some studies show that drinking appropriate amounts of water may reduce the risks of bladder and colon cancer by diluting the concentration of cancer-causing agents in the urine and shortening contact time. And how much water should we be drinking? 8 glasses a day? AT LEAST! Try half your body weight in ounces! You can’t have too much water. It is the single most important element for cellular integrity. Oh, and what goes for us, goes for our pets, but they tend to be smarter than us regarding water. Just leave them plenty of clean water, and they’ll be sure to drink it. Have a comment? Join in!

'Hunter's Bump' in Horses - Pat Holl Animal Chiropractor Equine Chiropractor Canine Chiropractor Billings Montana

Named after the sport which instigates the condition, “hunter’s bump”, also know as ‘jumper’s bump’ is a painful pelvic condition in your horse that may cause gait abnormalities and can affect performance. It most often occurs in jumping horses, hunters, and steeplechasers. A ‘Hunter’s Bump’ is a protrusion of the tuber sacrale. This is the area of the hip that will appear elevated along the lower part of your horse’s back, just above the croup. Technically, this is a subluxation of the sacroiliac joint, which may involve injury to the ligaments securing the pelvis and the spine. Once this happens, the ilium (one side of the pelvis) can shift out of place, resulting in the distinguishing ‘bump’. This uneven hip is sometimes referred to as a ‘dropped’ hip

This injury is commonly the result of previous and repetitive trauma to the sacroiliac joint, rather than a single precipitating incident, though it is usually one event that pushes it over the edge. Best viewed from behind during gait, your horse will tend to be very stiff in the hindquarters, ‘unload’ weight on the affected side, display a shortened stride on the affected hind limb, and may resist movement in general. Symptoms may also manifest in areas far from the affected area. Your horse may display altered neck movements, and oppose turning in one direction or another. There may be evidence of pain at the poll, as well as resistance to take the bit, or even wear a halter.

When diagnosed early, treatment for a ‘hunter’s bump’ can be highly effective. Stall-rest for several weeks is indicated to allow time for the ligaments to heal and scarring to occur to provide stability. Anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxants are often prescribed by your veterinarian to reduce spasm and manage inflammatory processes.  Chiropractic management can help re-align the pelvis and relieve neurologic interference. Additionally, integrative treatments including acupuncture and massage can be highly effective in controlling pain and supporting the healing process.

Recovery will depend on accurate diagnosis, degree of injury and speed and quality of treatment. Remember the importance of proper conditioning, weight management and stable footing. Above all, become familiar with your horse. Learn their behaviors, and observe when they’re communicating that something’s wrong. If you suspect something is amiss, don’t delay. Help is available. Have a comment? Join the conversation!