Dodge Family and Animal Chiropractic

03/18/2026

Your spicy mare when Dr. D finds that tender spot she’s been guarding from you…

“you look like you love me…” 🎶

03/16/2026

In 2020 we began to prep to move from DFW to East Texas, and read (stacks and stacks!) of books about the life shift we envisioned for our family.

Neither of us (Dr. D and wife, Claire), grew up with any experience around horses. We read a lot written for newbies, at first! In one beginner’s guide to horses book, geared to “things you should know before you bring home your first horse,” it said something that we’ve never forgotten and think of often:

Horses are like giant, complicated rabbits. The author was specifically explaining their prey behavior patterns, and how that affects connection with humans.

At the time, brand new to the equine world, that likening was super helpful. Sometimes when I watch ears, chewing, or even “spooking,” the “horses are rabbits” phrase still pops into my head. It also helps us explain body language and behavior to our children.

Since then, Dr. Dodge has given over 3000 equine chiropractic adjustments…he’s no newbie anymore! But the rest of the Dodge crew are still learning.

What do you wish new or non-horse people understood about horses? What phrases do you use to help people understand them?

03/11/2026

1. Check qualifications:

In the US, there are two paths for becoming a skilled, qualified, safe equine chiropractor. First, a provider must already be a licensed and board certified Doctor of Chiropractic or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (check your state for details, it varies). Then, they must attend additional training to build competence adjusting animals through a verified animal chiropractic program (link in comments to a post with a list of these training programs). Then, they may apply for AVCA board certification and continue to renew this title each year.

This is truly the most important part for the safety and wellbeing of your horses. In the last four years of practicing with animals, we have seen too many false practitioners either physically mistreat horses or practice wildly ineffective, unproductive, anatomically nonsensical manipulations.

A qualified equine chiropractor has expert understanding of the anatomy and biomechanics of the horse, has elite palpation skills, has years to decades of practicing precise, specific, intentional techniques, and is always able to be safe and professional with you and your animals.

2. Call or message with a few consultation questions:

A qualified equine chiropractor will become part of your horsemanship care team. They will work with your veterinarian through referral, and will know when it is or isn’t time for a chiropractic adjustment (but a vet visit, a saddle refit, a farrier call, a float, etc). You’ll be able to get a feel for how a chiropractor works with you and your preferred equine care practices by ASKING! A message to say “we’re noticing this, how would you approach it?” will tell you a lot. A quick call to share what you have been wondering about your horse will reveal a lot to you as to whether adding in this new provider will be a good fit for you and your horses. We believe in gut feelings around here! Don’t hesitate to call or message a chiro to truly see if it’ll be a good match.

3. Ask for references:

An equine chiropractor should be more than happy to provide you with enough information to make a solid decision about calling them out to the barn. Ask for current client references!

Send a message to learn more