The Horse and Dog Athlete and Chiropractic - Pat Holl Animal Chiropractor in Billings Montana

Is your horse or dog an athlete? Is competition and training part of your life? Whether you’re the owner of a world class athlete or a weekend warrior, proper training can improve your pet’s health, nurture communication, and promote wellbeing. Competitions vary, whether it’s dressage, jumping, barrel racing or roping for your horse, or agility, obedience, or confirmation for your dog. 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 4-legged athlete, as well as to performance outcome. Chiropractic care for your pet 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, as well as enhance recovery. 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 animal’s life!

What is Animal Chiropractic? Pat Holl Animal Chiropractor Billings Montana Equine Canine Chiropractor

What is Animal Chiropractic?

Animal Chiropractic is a field of animal health care that focuses on the health of the neuro-musculo-skeletal system. Nerves control everything that happens in your animals, and anything affecting the nervous system resonates throughout the entire body. When nerves become entrapped, this can interfere with the signaling to their destination tissue, including muscles and organs. As this occurs, the health of your animal can be affected, resulting in stiffness, tension, pain and even organ dysfunction. Additionally, when normal movement is affected it can impact your animal’s wellbeing and quality of life.

The goal of an animal chiropractor is to restore function and mobility to the bones of the spine, known as 'vertebrae' in an effort to re-establish nerve communication. This allows the body to perform at its optimum potential. Animal chiropractors use their hands to identify areas of restriction and apply a precise thrust on the immobile vertebrae in an effort to restore motion and remove nerve interference. When nerves efficiently communicate with all the structures in your animals’ bodies, healing and recovery results.

Animal Chiropractic is not meant to replace traditional veterinary care. It is not an alternative treatment, but rather an integrative method that, when used in conjunction with good traditional veterinary care, will provide years of healthy living. This is the beginning of a contemporary, comprehensive approach to your animal’s healthcare. It is an effective and valuable means of restoring and maintaining strength, vigor and well-being. By exploring and treating the root causes of your animal’s aches, pains and illnesses, you will ensure maximum improvement, top performance and an exceptional quality of life for the animal companions we love. Have a comment? Join the conversation!

Stress and Your Pet! Pat Holl, Dog Chiropractor Horse Chiropractor Billings Montana 59102

Stress. We all know it, most of us are ‘under’ it, and we all want to get rid of it. But did you know that your pet can also be significantly affected by stress? Animal stressors can result from many things, such as poor diet, inactivity, loneliness, illness, injury and even genetics. Left unmanaged, prolonged stress can lead to increased heart rate, changes in sleeping patterns and even anxiety. Chronic stress can cause the body's systems to breakdown and malfunction, resulting in increased blood pressure, poor digestion,  and can instigate skin reactions. A more noticeable affect of stress in your pet's life is weight gain or loss. Stress can disrupt the nervous system and cause neurotransmitter imbalances, which can lead to loss of energy and fatigue. And, as with humans, our pets can become depressed. If your pet is showing signs of stress, there are positive ways to deal with it. Remember to provide healthy food regularly. Be sure to have lots of CLEAN water available to help flush toxins through the body and to help reduce the risk of disease and infection. Exercise your pet regularly, as movement enhances blood flow to the brain, promotes the flow of body fluids and improves metabolism, not to mention that exercise helps to maintain a healthy weight. Be sure your horse has company in their pasture, and that your cat's litter box is cleaned regularly. If your pet is a ‘nervous’ critter, talk to your vet and discuss supplementing their diet with natural calming remedies. And just as humans crave love and affection, provide plenty of that, for love just may be the secret to optimal health. Stress occurs more commonly in our animals than we may think, but it can be managed. Have thoughts on the subject? Post a comment and join the conversation!

Proper Saddle Fit! Pat Holl Animal Chiropractor Horse Chiropractor Dog Chiropractor Billings Montana

Saddle Fit is one of the most important considerations for any rider, anywhere. The purpose of the saddle is to distribute the weight of the rider evenly, provide a stable base, and to allow the horse to move independently from the rider. If a saddle is the wrong size, positioned incorrectly or defective, it can cause pain and even lameness. Signs of a poor-fitting saddle include head tossing, sores on the back, abnormal head carriage, difficulty changing leads, hair loss or white hairs along the withers under the saddle (indicating blood circulation being cut off), saddle avoidance or striking when saddled, bucking, swelling after removing the saddle and uneven sweat patterns. Over time, the horse’s efforts to compensate in an effort to maintain mobility and balance can result in muscle strain, pain, stumbling, abnormal gait patterns and even lameness! Poor saddle fit can result from improper placement, broken or worn trees, uneven panels and incorrect size of saddle to rider. When saddling your horse, here are some things to consider: First, place the saddle on the horse’s back without padding, put it forward on the withers and then slide it back to where it sits ‘at home’. Saddle should be fit with nothing underneath initially, then rechecked with the padding you’ll be using. There should be a 3-finger clearance between the pommel of the saddle and the withers. Points of the tree should be 2 inches behind the shoulder blade. Run you hand under the panels. Be sure there’s room under the stirrup bars to slide your hand. Check for ‘bridging’ or ‘rocking’, and be sure the saddle is level. Ensure a 3-finger space for gullet clearance. The weightbearing part of the saddle should not extend beyond the last rib. Re-check all systems with the padding on, and remember that good padding is essential. Additionally, know that multiple pads act to functionally narrow the tree, so use one good pad. These are only some of the variables involved in proper saddle fit, but they should get you started. Remember that saddle fit is not stable and not static. You need a rider in motion to accurately and comprehensively assess for proper saddle fit. Have questions? Recommendations? Post a comment, and join the conversation. See you next week!

Dog Agility and Competition - Pat Holl Canine Equine Chiropractor in Billings Montana

Is your dog an athlete? Is agility competition and training part of your life? Whether you’re a professional handler of a world class athlete or a weekend warrior, agility training can improve your dog’s condition, nurture communication, and promote health. Agility courses vary and can be complicated, whether it’s weave polls, teeter-totters, crossovers, tunnels or jumps. Training for these events require attention to every detail, and preparation strategies often include attention to diet, exercise and sleep patterns. 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 dog, as well as to performance outcome. Chiropractic care for your pet 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 dog’s life!

Montana Skijoring Finals - Pat Holl -Animal Chiropractor in Billings Montana

Imagine being dragged on skis around a 900 foot course from a tow- rope attached to a galloping horse at 25 miles an hour. All the while screaming tailgaters cheering you on. Congratulations. You’ve just been indoctrinated into the sport of skijoring. Originally developed in the Scandinavian countries as a form of transportation, skijoring has morphed into a popular western sport. It is an unusual combination of western and Norwegian traditions, often blending teams of ‘old-time western cowboys’ with ‘modish’ skiers, negotiating through an outer snow-covered slalom course with gates and jumps on skies, and an often muddy inner course by the horse. The race is timed. The horse gallops around the inside of the track, pulling the skier who grabs onto a rope. The fastest times go home with the trophy. As a chiropractor, it is difficult not to recognize the absolute necessity for my professional skills, both for the skier and the HORSE! Navigating muddy or icy turns at high speeds can often result in crashes. However, despite the wipe-outs, it is definitely a winter adventure sport unlike any other. The skijoring circuit passes through communities throughout the west, including Wyoming, Colorado and Montana, and Red Lodge Montana hosts the national championships, coming up next weekend! So, if you’re looking for some winter excitement combining athletic skills with sheer strength, be sure to check out the Skijoring Finals in Red Lodge Montana next weekend. But chiropractors beware…it’s subluxation city!!! Have a comment? Join the conversation!

Canine Hip Dysplasia - Pat Holl - Animal Chiropractic 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!