Sport and Performance Animal Chiropractor in Dallas, TX
Specialized chiropractic and rehabilitation care helping competition dogs and performance horses in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area.
Chiropractic care built for animals that compete
Competition and performance animals ask more of their bodies than the average pet. The repetitive demands of training, the physical stress of competition, and the constant push toward peak output create a unique set of musculoskeletal challenges that standard veterinary care alone is not always equipped to address.
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Sport and performance animal chiropractic focuses on keeping the spine, joints, and nervous system functioning at their highest level so your animal can train consistently, compete confidently, and recover efficiently. It is not just about treating problems when they arise. It is about maintaining the structural foundation that performance depends on.
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At In Stride Chiropractic, Dr. Katie works with competition and performance animals of all disciplines. She competes with her own dog in disc sports, Fast CAT, and dock diving, so she understands what performance animals need from the inside out, not just as a clinician but as a fellow competitor.
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Sport and performance chiropractic care may be right for your animal if they are:
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Showing a subtle or unexplained drop in performance
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Moving unevenly or compensating during training
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Recovering more slowly than expected between competitions
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Showing resistance or behavioral changes under working conditions
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Dealing with recurring soft tissue issues that keep coming back
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Preparing for a competition season and wanting to start at their best
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Coming off a competition season and needing a full body reset
Chiropractic care for sport and competition dogs
From agility courses to dock diving platforms to the conformation ring, competition dogs ask more of their bodies than the average pet. Dr. Katie works with sport dogs across a wide range of disciplines, and as a fellow competitor, she understands exactly what your dog needs to stay sound, sharp, and performing at their best.
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Agility Dogs
The explosive starts, tight turns, and full body demands of agility put significant stress on a dog's spine and joints. Regular chiropractic care helps agility dogs move freely, recover quickly, and stay competitive throughout a long season.
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Disc Dogs
The jumping, twisting, and catching demands of disc sports place unique rotational stress on a dog's spine and shoulders. Chiropractic care helps disc dogs maintain the flexibility and structural integrity their sport demands.
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Fast CAT and Lure Coursing
Straight line speed events demand explosive power from the hindquarters and a fully functioning spine. Chiropractic care helps fast dogs stay fast by keeping the structural foundation of their movement in top condition.
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Dock Diving
The repeated impact of dock diving landings creates cumulative stress throughout the spine and joints. Regular chiropractic care helps dock divers absorb that impact more efficiently and stay sound through a full season of competition.
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Obedience and Scent Work
Even lower impact dog sports benefit from chiropractic care. Proper spinal alignment supports optimal nervous system function, which directly impacts focus, responsiveness, and learning.
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Conformation
Presentation, movement, and structural symmetry matter in the show ring. Chiropractic care helps conformation dogs move with the fluidity and balance that judges and handlers are looking for.
Chiropractic care for performance horses
Performance horses operate at the edge of their physical capacity every time they train or compete. Dr. Katie works with horses across disciplines throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area, bringing the same level of specialized care to every equine patient regardless of the demands their sport places on their body.
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Barrel Racing
The speed, collection, and tight turning demands of barrel racing place enormous stress on a horse's back, hindquarters, and sacroiliac joint. Regular chiropractic care helps barrel horses stay collected, powerful, and sound through a demanding competition schedule.
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Cutting
The explosive lateral movements and rapid stops of cutting require a horse's entire musculoskeletal system to be functioning at its peak. Chiropractic care helps cutting horses stay supple, responsive, and structurally balanced.
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Dressage
Collection, impulsion, and straightness all depend on a horse's spine functioning freely and symmetrically. Chiropractic care is a natural complement to the precision demands of dressage training and competition.
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Hunter/Jumper
The repetitive stress of jumping places significant demands on a horse's back, neck, and hindquarters. Regular chiropractic care helps hunter/jumper horses stay sound, scopey, and comfortable through a full show season.
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Trail and Pleasure
Performance is not limited to the show pen or arena. Trail horses navigating varied terrain and pleasure horses expected to move comfortably for their riders benefit from the same structural care as elite competitors.
What to Expect on Your First Visit
A sport and performance visit at In Stride Chiropractic goes beyond a standard chiropractic appointment. Dr. Katie approaches every performance animal with a competitive mindset, evaluating not just where the problem is but how it is affecting movement, output, and longevity in their specific sport.
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Here is what the first visit looks like:
Performance and Movement Evaluation
Dr. Katie begins by observing how your animal moves and carries themselves. For performance animals this evaluation is viewed through the lens of their specific sport and the demands it places on their body.
Hands-On Examination
A thorough orthopedic, neurological, and palpation exam assesses joint mobility, muscle tension, and spinal alignment from head to tail. Dr. Katie identifies not just the primary areas of dysfunction but the compensatory patterns that develop around them.
First Session
Your animal receives their first chiropractic adjustment during the initial visit. Dr. Katie uses precise techniques appropriate for your animal's size, species, condition, and sport specific demands.
Custom Performance Care Plan
Before your visit is complete, Dr. Katie walks you through a personalized care plan built around your animal's specific sport, competition schedule, and performance goals. You will also receive home care guidance and supportive techniques to use between visits.
Ongoing Performance Maintenance
For competition animals, regular maintenance care is often as important as acute care. Dr. Katie works with you to build a schedule that keeps your animal at their structural best throughout the training and competition season.
Ready to give your competition animal the edge they deserve? Reach out and tell us about your dog or horse and what they compete in.
Why sport and performance animal owners in Dallas choose In Stride
There are animal chiropractors in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. There are very few who understand the world of sport and performance animals from both sides of the fence.
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She Competes Herself
Dr. Katie is not just a practitioner who helps sport and performance animals. She competes with her own dog in disc sports, Fast CAT, and dock diving. She understands the demands of competition life, the training schedules, the pressure of a season, and what it takes to keep a performance animal at their best because she lives it herself.
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A Lifelong Equestrian
Dr. Katie spent 13 years competing in hunt seat and studied classical dressage in college. She brings a competitor's eye to every equine patient, evaluating movement and performance through the lens of someone who has trained and competed herself.
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AVCA Certified
Dr. Katie holds certification from the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association, the gold standard credential in animal chiropractic care. Her training covers both small and large animals, giving her a uniquely broad foundation for helping performance animals across species.
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Chiropractic Plus Rehabilitation
Most animal chiropractors offer adjustments. Dr. Katie goes further. Her blend of chiropractic care and rehabilitation gives performance animals a more complete approach to recovery, maintenance, and peak output.
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Parker University Graduate
Dr. Katie earned her Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Parker University, graduating as salutatorian of the Animal Chiropractic Program, one of the most respected animal chiropractic programs in the country.
Sports and Performance Animal Chiropractic FAQs
We know you have questions before reaching out, and we want to make sure you feel confident every step of the way. Here are a few of the questions we hear most often. For a full list visit our FAQ page.
Ready to give your competition animal the edge they deserve?
Whether your dog is chasing titles on the agility course or your horse is running their first 3 day event, Dr. Katie is here to help them perform at their absolute best.
Reach out and tell us a little about your animal and what they compete in. We will make sure we are the right fit before anything else happens.
"Dr. Lackey Has Been So Good"​
Dr. Lackey has been so good. We are driving from Farmersville about 40 miles to Carrollton.
She’s well worth the drive! She’s quick to respond if we have questions, and is so sweet and patient with my older pup.
- ASM
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"Chasing Balls And Bubbles Like A Puppy"​
Our 11-year-old dog has hip dysplasia, and we were willing to try anything to keep her comfortable. That’s when we found Dr. Lackey. She is incredibly kind and gentle with Maggie, and thanks to her care, Maggie is running and jumping again—chasing balls and bubbles like a puppy.
She’s clearly in much less pain since starting treatment. If you’re looking for a great chiropractor, look no further than In Stride Chiropractic.
- Clarissa H.​​
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"Thanks For All You Have Done"​
Dr. Lackey has been treating my horse routinely for the last couple months. During my ground work and dressage my horse was having a difficult time flexing at the poll. I have seen significant benefit not only on the flat, but in our jumping too.
Our show jumping looks way more effortless and she seems to have relief in her back now too. She can really get her legs under her and isn’t jumping so flat. Thanks for all you have done, Dr. Lackey!!
- Ashley E.​​
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"Couldn't Be Happier With The Care"​
We’ve been taking our dog Jack to In Stride and couldn’t be happier with the care he’s received. When we first started going, Jack was having pain just walking, but now he’s doing so much better — even asking to go on walks again! Dr. Lackey is amazing with him.
She takes her time, clearly loves dogs, and really knows her stuff. She’ll even get down on the floor with Jack to help him feel comfortable and relaxed during his session. She also gives us clear, simple exercises to do at home and uses a variety of innovative treatments in the office. We’re so grateful for the difference she’s made — highly recommend In Stride to anyone who loves their dog!
- Seph J.​​
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