Causes of Vertebral Subluxation Complex (VSC)?
Common Causes of Vertebral Subluxation Complexes
Every day most animals are exposed to situations which can cause damage to their spine. The following examples could cause VSCs (subluxations) – these images show horses but you can imagine the same causes of VSCs for small animals too:
Trauma
Caused by falls, trips, slips or being cast in the stable.
Confirmation
Horses with long backs are more inclined to experience problems.
Transportation
Long transportation times, accidents, poor shock absorption in the trailer and unsympathetic driving can cause damage.
Birthing Difficulties
Difficult births where the foal is forcibly extracted can cause problems in both the mare and the foal.
Lack of Movement
Lack of space in which to move does not give the horse enough opportunity to ease tension by bucking or rolling.
Performance
Every event strains the spine in a different, specific way.
Rider
Problems with the rider’s seat (e.g. a crooked seat) can lead to back problem.
Saddle
Poorly fitting saddles are one of the most frequent causes of back problems.
Age
As age increases the effects of previous small and/or large traumas to the spine become more apparent.
Shoes
Poor hoof care and incorrect shoeing interfere with the horse’s movement resulting in subluxations of the spine.
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