It's almost fair and rodeo time again here at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds and best of luck to all the competitors! As with any athletic endeavor, many hours are put into training to get riders and their equine partners into top working condition. Although I cannot say I know all that goes into a team roper or barrel rider's training regime, I imagine regular exercises, intense drills, proper nutrition and post workout care all rounds out a well prepared equine team. With all this preparation, it is easy to overlook an obvious but unseen major player; the spine of the rider AND the horse.

Both competitors, horse and rider, are amazing in the sense that they demand so much from their bodies. A rider must move in smooth unison on an animal that is, more often than not, running full force, whether it is running after a calf, running down a steer or rounding the last barrel to bring it on home. The horse itself does all this that is asked of it, while carrying the extra weight of its rider, make sliding stops and hairpin turns. Talk about athleticism!

Amazingly, the spinal alignment of a rider can affect that of his or her horse and vice versa. If a rider has a subluxation or misalignment of their spine, their body will compensate for the imbalance. Whether this is putting more weight in one stirrup than the other because of a pelvic imbalance or having a stiff posture because of a painful muscle issue, it is going to be transferred in some way to their equine partner who in turn, is also going to compensate for this imbalance. Likewise, spinal misalignments in horses can result in abnormal nerve function, which can result in behavioral problems, gait problems and even lameness.

Either way, horse and rider cannot perform at their highest potential with subluxated spines and in the rodeo world seconds seem to make all the difference in winning times. The easiest way to determine that all systems are running is to get a simple spinal check. There are even numerous equine chiropractors now so your horse can also have a spinal exam.

Possible symptoms of a misalignment in the horse

• Unusual sensitivity to touch, hollowing the back and evading contact

• Reluctance or discomfort while being saddled or mounted

• Stiffness on one rein or a disunited canter

• Unexplained deterioration in performance

Possible symptoms of a misalignment in the rider

• Stiffness or soreness along spine, pelvis and extremities

• Persistent headache, inability to focus on tasks

• Restricted range of motion

To keep your team in top condition, find out more at www.CDAHealth.com, find us on Facebook, call us at (208) 667-7434 or visit us at our office at 370 E. Kathleen Ave., Suite 600, Coeur d'Alene. We're right across from the fairgrounds!