Since the beginning of his involvement with man, the horse has been used to either pull heavy loads or carry a rider or packs upon his back. Prior to the advent of the gasoline engine, a great many horses were bred for pulling strength and power. That all changed with mechanization. Although those horses still ply their trade in relatively limited numbers, the prime role of the horse today is to carry a rider on his back in a wide variety of recreational and competitive pursuits.

As the utilization emphasis has switched, so has attention to that all-important part of the horse’s anatomy–his back. Some years ago, horse owners and veterinarians came to realize that if a horse has an ailing back, he is not going to perform to his potential while carrying a rider or pack saddle.

In more recent times, there has been a broadened approach in dealing with equine back conditions and problems. Veterinarians are adding additional weapons to their healing arsenal in the form of acupuncture and chiropractic, along with some other alternative treatments and holistic approaches. No longer is the traditional approach of medication and rest the only treatment.

Continued research has provided a major assist, although it also has complicated the issue a bit. Researchers have learned, for example, that back problems and lameness often are closely related