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

Hi everyone, and Happy 2013! Well, it’s January, 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 (see picture of my filly, below), 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 who is injured and cannot run around freely. There are many wonderful types of blankets, running 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. 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, and remember that if your horse has been corralled for any length of time, it is vital they have appropriate warm-up. 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 the conversation, and see you next week!

 

Canine Athlete and Chiropractic Care - Canine and Equine Chiropractor in Billings Montana

As chiropractors, we understand that regular chiropractic care can not only help the body heal, but can also facilitate a healthier, stronger and more resilient animal. When your dog’s spine is out of alignment, this can result in muscle spasms, nerve irritation, inflammation, adhesions, and of course, pain. Pain behaviors in your animal will depend on the severity and duration of compromise, however common observable changes in your dog may include stiff motion, inability to bear weight, reluctance to rise, ‘puppy sitting’, whimpering and changes in appetite. Chiropractic care can help restore function and mobility, and improve muscle tone. Chiropractic management assists the nervous system in coordinating the body’s ability to heal and regulate itself, thus helping the body perform at its highest potential. And here are some other benefits to consider: Chiropractic care helps to increase circulation and helps eliminate lactic acid. It increases delivery of oxygen and nutrient supply, helps reduce muscle spasms and adhesions, increases flexibility and can improve overall performance! Additionally, chiropractic care can address the micro injuries resulting from everyday stress, thus enhancing overall quality of life. So, whether you have a world class athlete, or a weekend warrior, a little maintenance and prevention can make a big difference, and regular chiropractic care can markedly improve your animal’s life!

Horse Health and Competition - Animal Chiropractor in Billings Montana

Hi all! Well, just got back from teaching Animal Chiropractic to the students at Los Angeles College of Chiropractic and what a success! There was so much interest, I thought I'd post a blog on horse health. Enjoy reading, post a comment, and join the conversation!

Is your horse an athlete? Is competition and training part of your life? Whether you’re a professional owner of a world class athlete or a weekend warrior, proper training can improve your horse’s health, nurture communication, and promote wellbeing. Competitions vary, whether it’s dressage, jumping, barrel racing or roping. Training for these events requires attention to every detail, and preparation strategies often include attention to diet, exercise and equipment. An area often overlooked however, is the health of the nervous system. Animal chiropractors understand the importance of a healthy, functioning nervous system. A vital nervous system is central to the conditioning of your horse, as well as to performance outcome. Chiropractic care for your horse will facilitate a healthier, stronger and more resilient animal. Chiropractic can help restore function and mobility, and improve muscle tone and endurance. It increases the delivery of oxygen and nutrient supply to help develop speed and accuracy. It helps reduce muscle spasms and adhesions, and increases flexibility to improve overall performance. Additionally, animal chiropractic can address the micro injuries resulting from everyday stress, helping the body heal optimally and enhancing overall quality of life. So a little treatment can make a big difference, and regular chiropractic care can markedly improve your horse’s life!

Subluxation and Animal Chiropractic - Animal Chiropractic in Billings Montana

Hi everyone! Well, it's been an exciting month and I've been busy. I've been in Chicago for neurology training, Wyoming for kinesiotape training, Seattle for the Independent Regional CWCCA Specialty Show, and then to Kansas at Options For Animals College of Animal Chiropractic. The importance of continually developing further training and expertise is something I hope I never lose sight of. But today, I thought I'd return to basics, and remind everyone of the foundation of chiropractic care, and how chiropractic affects a higher order of science than solely the biomechanical.

A ‘vertebral subluxation’ refers to a loss of normal positioning of the bones of the spine. When this happens, simultaneous neurologic, mechanical, biochemical and physiologic changes occur throughout the spine and body, and combine to contribute to what chiropractors refer to as the ‘Vertebral Subluxation Complex’. A ‘VSC’ in the spine can result in muscle spasms, nerve irritation, inflammation, adhesions, and of course, pain. This can cause your animal to compensate. Pain behaviors in your animal will depend on the severity and duration of compromise, however common observable changes in the dog may include stiff motion, non-weight-bearing, reluctance to rise, agitation, ‘puppy-sitting’, whimpering and changes in appetite. Equine pain behaviors may include changes in gait, reluctance to move or be handled, flared nostrils, muscle tremors and ear-pinning. Chiropractic care can help restore function and mobility and improve muscle tone. It frees the nervous system to communicate fully with the imune system, allowing for increased vitality and health. Additionally, chiropractic treatment helps to break down adhesive tissue and assists the nervous system in coordinating the body’s ability to heal and regulate itself, thus helping the body perform at its highest potential. So if you're noticing any changes in behavior in your animal, don't delay. Help is available! Have a comment? Join the conversation!

Dog Agility, Training and Nutrition - Animal Chiropractor in Billings Montana

Hi everyone. Here's a reminder of the importance of nutrition and exercise for our canine athletes!

Dog Agility competitions have become extremely popular and widely followed throughout the world. Dog agility courses are complex and the challenges increase as the level of competition advances. Agility dogs may be required to run, jump, climb, start and stop, and change direction suddenly. Because of these demands, these canine athletes require strength, endurance, speed and flexibility to ensure maximum performance. Appropriate and comprehensive training is fundamental. Training increases bone mass, red blood cell turnover, maximal oxygen consumption, reduces lactic acid production and reduces risk of injury. It is important to remember that the type of training appropriate and required for your pet will vary by age, breed, condition and type of event. Additionally, most dogs sleep for a good part of the day, and should not be expected to compete and perform on the weekends without appropriate conditioning. As with humans, an appropriate and high-quality nutrition protocol is paramount when considering any canine athletic competition. Protein is an essential part of the diet, and is particularly important for those dogs that are continually active for over 30 minutes. Diets high in protein would be most suitable for endurance training. Fats provide an extraordinary source of energy, and dogs can utilize this form of energy very easily and productively. However the appropriate amount of fat to feed your dog depends on the factors mentioned earlier. Other energy requirements and considerations include carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, and, of course, water! Water is critically important for your agility dog. It is essential for thermoregulation, and should always be made available. Dogs maintain their body temperature by panting, and this increases their water requirements. The heat that is generated during agility competitions can limit stamina, affect performance and impact health. These are just some of the reminders to consider when preparing your dog athlete for agility. And don’t forget to see your animal chiropractor. A healthy and vibrant nervous system will resonate everywhere in the body! Have a comment? Join in, and Happy Training!

Autumnal Detox! Animal Chiropractor in Billings Montana

It’s DETOX Time!

Well everyone, it’s that time of year….Fall! And, as the planet cleanses, it’s also time to think about cleansing our bodies. Though often thought of as depriving the body, a detox is just the opposite…it’s an opportunity to give your body exactly what it needs, free of anything destructive.

Why detox? We live in a world flooded with toxins and pollution, and with the advent of synthetic chemicals in our foods, such as herbicides and pesticides which destroy the microbiotic activity in the soil and diminish the nutrients in our food, impurities and contaminants collect inside our body. The cumulative affect of these toxins adversely impacts the functioning of our biological systems. As a result, our bodies have to work a lot harder to effectively rid waste and congestion. And when we don’t provide our bodies with proper and appropriate nutrition, organ function becomes burdened. Sooo, some form of detoxifying cleanse is a good idea for most of us. Some of the many signs suggesting that it might be a good time for a detoxifying cleanse may include allergies, headaches, poor digestion, depression, irritability, memory loss and even joint pain.

A well-planned and successful detox can provide incredible benefits, including improved immunity, greater energy, clearer skin, weight loss, and greater mental capacity. Additionally, it can promote healthy eating, transform lifestyle dependency and improve the overall functioning of the vital systems of the body! Detoxing and cleansing the body can be simple and straight-forward, however if you are new to this, talk to your health care practitioner to get started. Have a comment? Join the conversation, and happy detoxing!

Brain Fitness - Chiropractor in Billings Montana

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 backpacking in the Montana wilderness, exercising my body and my brain. That’s right, my brain! In order for our brains to perform efficiently, they require a regular fitness program, just like the rest of our bodies. Our brains function optimally 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. And by the way, what goes for us, goes for our pets. Maintaining a strong, dependable and healthy brain will ensure years of productivity and health! Have a comment? Join the conversation.