Equine Chiropractic Training

Equine chiropractic training is available through the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA), located in Bluejacket, Oklahoma; the College of Animal Chiropractic (CAC), located in Port Byron, Illinois and Wellsville, Kansas and a few other schools. You can also learn some techniques by taking Equine Therapy Studies such as the course offered by Helen Woods in Barriere, British Columbia, Canada.

  1. Eligibility

    • Training is available in animal chiropractic to licensed veterinarians and licensed doctors of chiropractic. Their training can be used on any animal, not just horses. Equine therapy courses are available to anyone with the desire to work with horses.

    Steps to Certification

    • Students must attend all sessions of the training program and pass the exit exam. The AVCA requires the student to sit for an additional written and practical exam within a year of graduating from a training program.

    Topics Studied

    • The CAC program is 210 hours of training with 75 hours of clinical experience. Topics include anatomy, dissection, spinal and extremity biomechanics, neurology, diagnosis and adjusting laboratories. The Equine Therapy Course covers anatomy of the horse, gaits, conformation, lameness, horseshoeing, homeopathy, spinal manipulation, massage and acupressure, practical experience and proper fitting of saddles.

    Certification

    • The AVCA offers a three year certification once the applicant has passed all the required examinations. Re-certification must be done before the expiration of the certification period. Students at CAC qualify to take the AVCA final exam for certification. The Equine Therapy Course prepares the student to begin their own equine practice after graduation.

    Treating Horses with Chiropractic Care

    • Due to the athletic competitions in which horses may be involved, chiropractic care may be useful in keeping the animals in top form. Cutting horses, show and dressage horses, race horses and retired horses can all benefit from the occasional adjustment.