Acupuncture for Horses
Acupuncture is a medical discipline that has been practiced with great success for thousands of years. Nevertheless, there are many people who are skeptical of its application methods, treatment options, and perceived results. This is especially true of acupuncture for horses. Even people who have some knowledge of acupuncture would find its practice in horses to be dubious. However, there exists vast amounts of empirical data and historical evidence that, when divulged to even the most resilient skeptic, often leads disbelievers to reconsider. In fact, one of the oldest veterinary textbooks in the world, dating centuries before the birth of Christ, focuses primarily on acupuncture in horses.
While acupuncture is an accepted and accredited medical science, there are only general and sometimes slightly varying theories that describe how it works. In general, practitioners of acupuncture believe that the body is comprised of a vast electrical circuit system. It is this electrical system that powers, controls, modulates, and allows communication to occur throughout various parts of the body. The electrical energy that travels through the body’s “circuit” is known as “Chi” to most eastern civilizations, “Ki” to the Japanese, and simply “energy” in Western medicine. Acupuncturists work on the theory that illnesses and injuries can be caused by disruptions in the electrical flow of body systems. The circuits that appear throughout the body; be it human or horse, are called Meridians, and they are concentrated in areas near organs, nerve clusters, blood vessels, and other vital areas of the body. When illness or injury occurs, it is thought that electrical impulses become blocked or impeded, which can prolong injury, exacerbate illness, and cause disruptions in other important bodily functions. While it has not been conclusively proven that these electrical “dams” occur, numerous studies have confirmed that the body indeed operates on electrical impulses. Thus, the basis for acupuncture is well-grounded.
Acupuncture works by applying various types of needles to the points of meridian known throughout the body. While most acupuncturists believe there are about 350 of these crucial points, it is quite possible that there are many more. The insertion of needles causes a stimulation of neurotransmitters that release endorphins- chemicals that regulate most of the body’s functions. This stimulation allows electrical energy that may be blocked to flow once more, thereby achieving homeostasis; or equilibrium of the affected area. The release of endorphins generates feelings of well-being and greatly aids in reducing pain. Additionally, other chemicals are produced in the area being stimulated such as enkephlins and metekephlins; hormones which help to quell pain, inflammation, and swelling.
While some have argued that acupuncture merely creates a placebo effect, this could not be further from the truth. In order to best understand how this works, try to imagine the body as a simple electrical circuit. If a short appears in the circuit, (such as an injury) energy is reduced to that area or stopped entirely. The insertion of needles essentially acts to reconnect the circuit, and in theory allows energy to not only “pass” through the needle as a connected part of the circuit, but also that negative or blocked energy may be dissipated into the atmosphere by a general type of grounding effect.
So, how does all of this information apply to acupuncture in horses? The answer is surprisingly simple: horses enjoy and greatly benefit from acupuncture! Typically, treatment is well-received by horses, and other than the momentary discomfort caused by the initial insertion of the needle, horses feel no pain. In fact, most equines actually fall asleep or even become euphoric during treatment, which typically lasts from 5 to 30 minutes. Horses have “Chi” and Meridians just as humans do, and experienced veterinary acupuncturists know precisely where these lines of energy lie. For equestrians that are still skeptical, consider that both the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Association of Equine Practitioners recognize acupuncture in horses as a valid and useful modality of treatment. Furthermore, qualified veterinarians can be accredited through the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society. When compared to all other types of veterinary medicine, acupuncture has the longest history and is the least invasive of all practices, and has zero side effects.
If you are considering acupuncture for your equine, be sure to contact a qualified veterinarian. While acupuncture is a valid and extremely effective form of medicine, the animal must still be approached from and diagnosed by traditional methods. This means that your vet will need to conduct a thorough examination of your horse. This will include conversations with you about its behavior, attitude, performance, and many other factors. Your vet will also want to examine the work of your farrier to ensure that any ailments are not due to poor shoeing. Veterinary acupuncturists will palpate key areas of the animal’s meridians, and note any signs of discomfort, concavities, injuries, or other abnormalities. When this assessment is complete, acupuncture may then take place.
There are a number of different types of acupuncture used in horses, and your veterinarian will discuss these methods of treatment with you. Typically, “dry needling” is the most basic of treatments. This is where fine needles will be inserted into areas where energy is believed to be blocked. If the acupuncture is to treat an injury, dry needling does not need to penetrate the actual injury. There are meridian points in horses that can be stimulated by acupuncture without actually coming into contact with sore, injured, or inflamed areas. This type of acupuncture seeks to stimulate the neurotransmitters along four neurological structures. These occur at the following points:
1.) Motor points, such as hips, knees, and joints.
2.) Superficial midline points located along the back of the horse.
3.) High nerve density areas, such as lower limbs and facial areas.
4.) The inside structures of tendons.
Dry needling can offer a number of secondary treatment methods. This can include heating the needle to promote proper blood flow, massaging areas of the meridian prior to treatment, and electro-acupuncture- the addition of a mild electrical current to the needle.
Other forms of acupuncture for your horse may involve the use of hypodermic needles. In some cases, these needles can be used to draw out blood or fluids that have built up in affected areas, or they can be used to directly insert vitamins or antibiotics to the affected site for a prolonged healing effect. Hypodermic needles can also be used to insert gold beads or threads of wire to certain vital sites in order to create a continued flow of electrical energy. These can also be inserted surgically, are harmless in nature, and assist to keep your horse’s electrical circuits connected and running smoothly.
Acupuncture for horses usually requires multiple treatments, with the duration of each treatment typically decreasing successively. Horses can be prepped for treatment with massage, electrical current or low-power lasers on the points to be treated. Sometimes this can have the same or similar effect of the actual act of needle insertion itself. Remember; the object of acupuncture is to restore energy flow, stimulate neurotransmitters, and release beneficial chemicals. Often, horse owners find that using acupuncture for treatment of one ailment also cures other ailments simultaneously that were not thought to be connected, or were not considered part of the treatment. In the vast majority of cases, acupuncture works even if the science behind it seems a little…non-traditional.
You may be asking yourself just what types of ailments acupuncture for horses may cure or help to improve. The following is only a brief list, but as always, consult with your qualified veterinarian to determine if acupuncture may be a viable treatment option for your equine:
* Navicular Syndrome
* Neurological problems
* Allergic Dermatitis
* Arthritis
* Joint Issues
* Attitude
* Facial Paralysis
* Heaves
* Injuries
* Lameness
* Laminitis
Additionally, many performance horses undergo general acupuncture treatments prior to events in order to help stimulate good health, proper attitude, high energy levels, and general feelings of well-being. However, if after reading this article you are still skeptical, then try acupuncture for yourself- even if you have no particular ailment, chances are that you will walk away from the treatment feeling “better.” If this is the case for you, then why not apply the same ancient science to your beloved horse? The Chinese have been doing this for their horses for almost 5,000 years resulting in mountains of documented successes. In fact, acupuncture will often succeed where all other treatments have failed. The reality is that acupuncture should be a first-choice instead of a last resort, due to the fact that it is non-invasive and leaves your horse with no complications or side effects. Try applying that statement to any other form of medical treatment…
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