There are very few things in chiropractic treatment that are absolutely certain. Both lameness and/or behavior can give you clues to the general area of subluxation. However, there is one behavioral sign that is an absolute: swapping out leads behind. This is when 1) a horse has difficulty picking up a lead in the hind end only, and 2) a horse can pick up the correct lead in the hind end but soon “swaps it out” for the incorrect lead. This always indicates the sacrum is subluxated. The horse may have other subluxations and the sacrum may not even be the primary problem, but it is definitely involved when lead-swapping is observed.
BEHAVIORAL OR PERFORMANCE SYMPTOMS
Very Common
- Cross-cantering (different leads in front and behind)
- Difficulty picking up, maintaining, or changing leads
- Swapping out leads behind
Frequent
- Difficulty with collection or impulsion
- Stiff in hind end
- Struggles with hind-end lateral work
- Difficulty with gait transitions
Occasional
- Short-striding behind
- Crow-hopping
- Reluctance to jump
- Almost always rests one hind leg when standing
- Struggles with “long and low” work
- Makes life difficult for the farrier, especially hind end
- Hind end does not naturally track up straight
- Prefers to trot over other gaits
- Uneven takeoff when jumping
- Tail held to one side
PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS: CURRENT OR PRIOR
- Phantom lameness behind
- Lumbar problems, chronic
- Tail-clamping
- Gluteal muscles, consistent discomfort with massage
Checkup Directions
FUNCTION: The sacrum is one of the two anchor points for the dura mater of the spinal cord. (The other is the atlas—see p. 000.) The spinal cord ends at the sacrum. Nerves branch out through spaces in the sacrum and continue down the legs. Because so many nerves are involved in the sacrum, its chiropractic alignment is very important for hind-end function.
RANGE OF MOTION: The sacrum connects to the pelvis via the sacroiliac joint, as well as to the lumbar area via the last lumbar vertebra (L6 or L5). The sacrum moves in a figure-eight pattern as the horse walks. For the sacrum Checkup in the standing horse, look for a small pain response to sideways pressure. The sacrum has five vertebrae in it. In the young horse these vertebrae move separately. In the mature horse, these five vertebrae have fused together to make the sacrum a functional “square” (see below).
HOW TO
The sacrum follows the lumbar vertebrae and is located at the highest point of the hind end to a few inches in front of the tail (fig. 22.3). If you imagine the right and left sides of the sacrum connected at the top and bottom, you get the idea that the sacrum is basically a square. When you do the sacrum Checkup, you are looking for any pain response to pressure along the sides of the square. The “top” half of the sacrum is the half closest to the highest part of the hind end. The “bottom” half of the sacrum is the half closest to the tail. The reason for dividing the sacrum into “halves” is because most people can comfortably put both hands on the sacrum and cover it completely.
Place one hand over the bottom half of the sacrum. Cup your hand a bit to enable your finger pads to lightly “grab” the far edge of the sacrum. The base of your other hand will be applying stabilizing pressure to the other edge of the sacrum. With both of your hands applying pressure, the horse won’t think you want him to step toward you. (figs. 22.4 A & B).
Figure 22.4A
Figure 22.4B
When your hands are in position, use the fingertips of the hand closest to the tail to pull the sacrum toward you. Use the same amount of pull as you would to open a screen door.
When using your fingertips, it is important not to use “poking” fingers, which make the horse flinch in pain. Use the flat pads of your fingers and pull, looking for muscles to flinch either in the gluteal (hind-end) or lumbar areas, or both.
Switch your hand positioning so that you pull the front half of the sacrum toward you while stabilizing with the base of your other hand (fig. 27.5). Be sure to perform the Checkup from both sides of the horse.
Diagnosis:
Any consistent muscle flinching in response to pulling the sacrum indicates sacral subluxation. The sacrum is relatively easy to examine for subluxation, because it either hurts or it doesn’t. However, be aware that a sacrum subluxation can often be secondary to sacroiliac (SI), lumbar, tail, or hip subluxations, so check them, too. In addition, if you have a sacrum that keeps subluxating, you may have a pelvic symphysis (similar to the pubic bone) subluxation that is causing it. You’ll need a certified chiropractor to diagnose this.
Summary: SACRUM
- When subluxations suspected, call chiropractor.
NOTE: Frequently, however, a sacral subluxation is secondary to some physical problem, and with known hock or stifle issues, it may be wiser to call your veterinarian first as they could be the reason the sacrum subluxated. - When no indication of subluxation but symptoms remain, check for:
- Subluxations at: hock; stifle; sacroiliac joint;
lumbar vertebrae; ribs; thoracic vertebrae; hip;
tail (pp. 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000) - Hoof-wall imbalance
- Hock problems
- Stifle problems
- Vitamin and/or mineral deficiency
- Subluxations at: hock; stifle; sacroiliac joint;
