Let’s bust a myth right now:
Just because a horse is big and strong doesn’t mean they’re invincible.
In fact, some of the biggest horses we work on—Clydesdales, Percherons, Gypsy Vanners, and draft crosses—are some of the most overlooked when it comes to proactive chiropractic and bodywork care.
These gentle giants carry more weight, cover more ground, and often compensate longer before their pain becomes obvious. But make no mistake—they can get out of alignment just like any other athlete.
And when they do? The results can be just as serious, and often harder to spot.
🐴 “He’s Just Lazy…” Or Is He Hurting?
It’s easy to chalk up subtle changes in a draft or draft-cross horse to temperament.
They’re slower by nature, right?
They don’t need as much maintenance, right?
They’re built to carry weight and pull carts—why would they need chiropractic?
Here’s the reality:
- A Clydesdale with a dropped shoulder and misaligned pelvis won’t be able to move straight down the rail
- A Gypsy Vanner with lumbar restrictions may resist transitions or buck under saddle
- A Percheron with sacroiliac dysfunction may begin dragging toes, stumbling, or acting “stubborn”
And because these breeds are so stoic, they rarely scream in pain. They whisper.
🧠 Common Issues We See in Drafts and Draft Crosses
Even though they’re built differently than sporthorses, their bodies are still subject to misalignments, wear, and compensatory patterns—especially under saddle or in performance settings.
Top dysfunctions we find include:
- Pelvic rotation and sacroiliac restrictions
- Lumbar compression from carrying heavy riders or tack
- Cervical misalignments from improper halter pressure or tight turns in harness work
- Shoulder and elbow restrictions from pulling or pushing loads
- Stifle instability from poor conditioning or being worked too hard, too fast
💥 Big Horses = Big Compensations
Here’s where it gets tricky:
A 1,600+ pound horse doesn’t always show pain the same way a 1,000-pound Thoroughbred does.
They’re built to compensate. And they’re incredibly tolerant.
But when they do finally show something’s wrong, it can show up as:
- Reluctance to move forward
- Girthiness or cinchiness
- Tail swishing, pinned ears, or behavioral changes
- “Stiff” or “lazy” movement under saddle
- Difficulty holding leads or bending in one direction
🔧 How Chiropractic Helps the Heavy Hitters
When we adjust large breeds, we use modified techniques that respect their size, build, and personality. No two horses are treated the same—but with drafts and crosses, we especially focus on:
- Pelvis and sacrum alignment – Key for drive and balance
- Lumbar spine decompression – To reduce load stress and nerve interference
- Shoulder and neck mobility – To support better rein response and straightness
- Hoof and limb symmetry – Because one unbalanced foot on a draft horse equals hundreds of extra pounds of torque somewhere else
We also often integrate Cold Laser and PEMF therapy to reduce inflammation and support deep tissue healing—especially helpful in these muscle-dense breeds.
🏠 Mobile Care for Horses That Don’t Fit in a Stock Trailer
We come to you—whether that’s your farm, training facility, or showground—because let’s be honest:
Loading a Percheron isn’t always the most convenient task.
We’ve adjusted draft breeds everywhere from local parades to breeding farms and everything in between. And we’re equipped for it.
🐎 Big Bodies Deserve Big Support
Your Clydesdale might be calm.
Your Gypsy may be gentle.
But that doesn’t mean they don’t hurt.
And when we listen to what their bodies are telling us—the transformation is incredible.
Let’s keep your big guy or gal moving, performing, and living pain-free—whether they’re a showstopper, therapy partner, or backyard buddy.
👉 Schedule a mobile chiropractic visit today—and let’s get your gentle giant in sync.