Thermographic analysis of chiropractic care on the back health of Mangalarga Marchador horses.

INTRODUCTION

Poor saddle fit can cause back pain and lesions in horses, highlighting the need for preventive therapies.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effects of chiropractic treatment on the backs of Mangalarga Marchador horses using infrared thermography to monitor thermal changes associated with saddle-induced overload.

METHODS

Physiological, environmental, thermographic, and chiropractic parameters were evaluated in 13 horses subjected to a standardized 25-min exercise session. Animals were assigned to either a control group (GC, n = 6) or a chiropractic treatment group (GT, n = 7). Assessments were conducted at five time points: pre-exercise (M0), immediately post-exercise (M1), 1 h post-exercise (M2), 1 h post-chiropractic assessment (M3), and 48 h post-assessment (M4). Saddles were also evaluated thermographically before (S0) and after (S1) exercise. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA.

RESULTS

No differences were observed between the groups in the clinical variables evaluated. Mean dorsal and dorsal-midline temperatures were higher in GT at M1; in both groups, these values were higher at M0 than at M3, suggesting a thermal reduction over time. Saddle thermography showed an average increase of ∼1 °C in quadrant 5, and 31% of images exhibited asymmetries and tunnel contact with the horses' dorsal midline. A chiropractic evaluation revealed vertebral subluxation complexes in all horses, primarily in the cervical and lumbar regions.

CONCLUSION

Infrared thermography identified saddle-related thermal asymmetries, with no changes in dorsal thermographic patterns after a single chiropractic session. Findings should be interpreted considering the study design and sample size.