One thing to keep in mind is that the nervous system takes several years to mature and the best time to begin chiropractic care is as soon as possible following the stressful, high pressure and sometimes traumatic voyage through mom's birth canal into a new world.

During the first few years, the nervous system is at it's most crucial times in it's development and maturity. Something very important is taking place and it has to do with something called "neuroplasticity". This is a big word that has to do with the fact that the nervous system is reacting to its surroundings and the sensory input that it receives from the outside world.

All the sensory input comes from outside and is transmitted to the brain via the sensory nerves. These nerves must pass through the spine in order to bring its information to the brain.

Subluxations to the spine at birth or at a young age can have both short and long term detrimental effects on a young horses life. Both humans and animals are sensory driven beings, meaning everything we learn and become is the product of the sensory input that continually bombards our brains.

Now, referring back to "neuroplsaticity," Subluxations cause alterations in sensory input to the brain. Remember the old computer Adage "garbage in garbage out?" The nervous system works a lot the same way. So, the longer subluxations exist, the more negative neuroplasticity is created.

The Chiropractic adjustment begins the process of removing the garbage that is produced within the nervous system via the subluxation.

The duration of the subluxation has a lot to do with the degree of negative changes within the nervous system. A subluxation that occurs at birth that is corrected right after birth has not had much time to alter the nervous system to any great degree, so the baby grows up with a healthy functioning nervous system.

In the case of the subluxation that occurs at an early age that is not corrected, then the negative input to the nervous system, through the inevitable process of negative neuroplastic changes can create chronic problems that will in all likelihood take much longer to correct. In fact, depending on how long the subluxation has existed, sometimes the best that can be expected is palliative care...just make them as comfortable as possible as we can and give them some relief of their symptoms.

In the extreme correction is not possible, so the best answer is early detection of the "vertebral subluxation complex" correct it and then maintain a life long supportive care program of regular chiropractic check ups to maintain optimal function and health.

Healthy nervous system, healthy body, healthy mind healthy organs and a healthy immune system.