Causes

Every day events can expose a horse to the kinds of stress that can adversely affect the spine. Common causes of vertebral subluxation complexes in horse can include;

• Trauma - falls, trips and slips
• Lack of mobility - the inability in a confined stable to be able to buck or roll to\ease tension
• Poor shoeing/hoof care - 'no hoof, no horse'
• Saddle - poorly fitting saddles are a very common cause
• Transportation - long journeys, accidents and trailer jarring are all stressful on the spine
• Performance events - every event places different and specific strains the spine
• Age - the cumulative affect of minor or major trauma to the spine and the onset of osteoarthritis
• Rider - a poor rider will put more strain on the horse spine in the same way a poor driver does on a car
• Birthing difficulties - forced extraction places strain on both the mare and foal
• Narcotics - The process of undergoing general anaesthetic can place the spine under pressure