Complimentary Therapies for Horses

We have all tried an alternative therapy at some point in our lives, whether it was chiropractic, shiatsu, acupuncture or even a Bach Flower Remedy. Today we have many choices, not only in our own health care, but also for that of our equine partners. Performance of any kind is dependant on wellness. While traditional veterinary medicine will be your first choice, there are quite a few other modalities that can also resolve physical problems. Many also address underlying emotional and psychological issues that inhibit wellness. 

Holistic Medicine
Holistic Veterinary Medicine goes beyond the “fix the problem” considering the whole horse and examines emotional problems, stress, nutrition, behaviour and environment when assessing the patient. Many horses present in a state of "dis-ease." At this point the holistic challenge lies in the question "why?" By a series of analytic observations and appropriate testing the goal becomes finding the absolute root source of the pathology. A simple-appearing symptom may have several layers of causation. Only when the root cause of the ailment has been found is there the possibility for a lasting recovery. Once this cause is found, the most efficacious, least invasive, least expensive, and least harmful path to cure is selected. Several modalities may be used on the path to cure. It is some of these modalities which will be briefly examined here.

Homeopathy
Homeopathy is a system of medicine based on the principle that "like cures like." Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of Homeopathy, was the first person to purposely utilize this method of treating disease.

Hahnemann did not agree with the accepted reason why the medicine quinine helped in the treatment of cases of malaria. He began to take quinine on a regular basis, and after a short time produced the symptoms of malaria in his own healthy body. The symptoms would disappear only when he stopped the medicine, only to appear again if he repeated the dose. He concluded that quinine was a positive treatment for malaria not because of its bitter quality, but because in crude form, it could produce symptoms of the disease.

Hahnemann then began to treat patients according to this principle, using smaller and smaller doses of the medicines. He found they would not only respond, but would have few of the side effects that were so common to the medications used by more conventional practitioners. He theorized that the Homeopathic remedies, in their minute doses, carefully selected to match the patients' symptoms, gave the body the information it needed to heal itself. Although no one has been able to prove or disprove this theory, Homeopathy is accepted in most parts of the world today as a very scientific method of treating disease.

There are over 1500 known homeopathic remedies made from animal, vegetable or mineral sources. Many in their crude form are toxic or inert, but when prepared and used according to homeopathic principle, are completely safe and effective.

Click Here to learn more about the realm of Homeopathic Medicine.

Acupuncture
Acupuncture is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine which is recognized as a complete science. TCM uses acupuncture and Chinese herbs to maintain a healthy, balanced state of being.

Acupuncture was developed almost 6,000 years ago and is based on the theory that an electromagnetic lifeforce is channeled in its continuous flow throughout the body by a network of meridians. Needles are inserted at specific points along the meridians to stimulate or disperse the flow of this lifeforce in order to correct the imbalance.  Equine acupuncture dates back as far as 3000 BCE during the Shang and Chow dynasties. One of the first veterinary textbooks, “Bai-le’s Canon of Veterinary Medicine”, written around 650 BCE was based primarily on acupuncture.

Side effects are extremely rare. No chemicals or drugs ever enter the body and because acupuncture balances the body’s own system of healing, complications, if ever, rarely occur. Conditions such as back problems, founder, navicular, heaves and many other types of lameness have been successfully and reportedly treated.

For more information Click Here

Chiropractic
For many years Equine Chiropractic Care has sustained the most skepticism among equine health practitioners. It has been very hard for veterinarians to imagine how a huge horse can be manipulated to the point of making an “adjustment” of an abnormality. However, over the past several years Equine Chiropractic specialists have perfected this therapy in such a way that veterinarians are now looking at chiropractic in a whole new light. In fact, many Equine Chiropractic practitioners today are veterinarians themselves and brought equine chiropractic to the forefront of alternative therapies.

The chiropractic practitioner manipulates body structures through adjustments to achieve flexibility in the horse’s spine and joints. Chiropractors treat “subluxations”, which are changes (dysfunctions) in the proper movement of a joint. A chiropractic evaluation can detect gait abnormalities and other performance problems. Another use of chiropractic with horses is during a pre purchase exam. There are several techniques which can help identify horses that have chronic neck and back problems and can assist in the assessment of the potential for the horse to succeed in a particular discipline.

Always be sure the practitioner you use has the proper credentials.

Click Here for more information. 

Bowen
The Bowen Technique was developed in Australia forty years ago by Thomas A. Bowen (1903-1982), an industrial engineer who gained a reputation for being able to help his co-workers with their aches and pains. He decided to open his own clinic and by 1975 was seeing 13,000 patients per year. The Bowen Technique is now taught and practiced in 30 countries.

Bowen Technique uses a series of gentle precise moves on specific muscles, tendons and nerves. Research indicates that the Bowen Technique balances the autonomic nervous system, which controls 80-90% of all body systems. This would explain why and how the Bowen Technique works on multiple systems of the mind, body and spirit. It is a gentle, non-invasive and effective neuromuscular re-patterning therapy. Bowen treats many equine issues such as colic, congestion, laminitis, cold back, balance problems, gait disorders, postural problems, arthritic pain, chronic pain, stifle, hock and knee restrictions, hip and pelvic discomfort, asymmetry, sciatica, TMJ Syndrome, hernias, back asymmetry, lymphatic drainage, as well as the release of restrictions and misalignments of the fascia and tissue.

A Bowen session lasts between 45 and 60 minutes. The application of the technique involves stimulating groups of 2-8 precise points consecutively on the body, over muscles, tendons and nerves, using a gentle pressure. There is a 2 -3 minute pause between applications of sets of moves which often puts the body into a deep state of relaxation, allowing the body to process the work. Most horses will experience distinct relaxation and loosening of muscle tension. Often there is relief of symptoms following the first treatment, with changes continuing to occur up to seven days after the treatment. Bowen will not interfere with other medical treatments, however, other manipulative therapies should be avoided for a week after the Bowne treatment as they may undermine the effectiveness of the continuing Bowen work.

Follow this link to learn more about Equine Bowen.

Acupressure and Shiatsu
Unlike acupuncture, acupressure is performed without needles. The practitioner uses their thumbs, hands, elbows and even an occasional knee where appropriate. Work is done along a meridian or on a combination of points from various meridians to achieve the desired goal. Shiatsu is acupressure that is combined with stretching joints as well as other techniques.

Acupressure reduces pain naturally by stimulating the body to release endorphins which are the body’s built in pain relievers. Acupressure also increases the nutrient supply to muscles by promoting cellular exchange thus preventing the buildup of harmful fatigue products, and metabolic wastes.

Shiatsu is useful in soft tissue injuries, including muscle strain, sprains, spasms and aches located in the back, shoulders, neck and hind quarters. Shiatsu speeds recovery after injury by increasing blood flow to the affected areas, while lessening inflammation and swelling to the joints.

To learn more Click Here

Equine Reiki – The Usui System of Natural Healing
Reiki (pronounced “Ray-Key”) is a Japanese word which means; a feeling or spirit of the miraculous, or of the marvelous, or of the mysterious, or of the divine. Reiki is a gentle hands-on healing art. The Usui System of Reiki Healing was conceived in Japan early in the last century by Mikao Usui, (1865-1926) a Japanese scholar, seeker, teacher, and healer. He was inspired to fast at a sacred site for 21 days. At the end of the 21 days, he had a visionary experience of the life force which he recognized as reiki, a sacred Japanese concept representing universal spiritual power. This vision inspired him to devote his life to teaching and healing.

A Reiki practitioner is essentially a channel for the Reiki energy. The recipient draws this energy to themselves through the hands of the practitioner. What makes this so efficient is that the recipient may not know the full extent of healing needed on a conscious level, but will know on a sub-conscious level. This is particularly seen in horses who are far more in tune with themselves and their environment than humans. Reiki energy is drawn to the area where it is needed in exactly the correct quantity and at exactly the correct frequency. The body then heals itself. Reiki releases blocked energy and restores natural balance. It is a very powerful therapy, very subtle in its appearance, but inwardly quite profound. It works on the deepest levels of consciousness where dis-ease has its roots.

Physicists have recorded the subtle energies in and of our bodies. Science has shown us that everything in the world is energy which is vibrating at different rates. Research workers at Stanford University have measured and verified that the Reiki energy enters through the head and exits through the palms of the hands. Kirlian photography confirms that what NASA physicists term “The Human Energy Field” exists and that during a treatment there is a definite increase in the emanations from the practitioner’s hands.

Click Here for more information on Reiki and how you and your can benefit form this powerful modality.

Light Therapy
Over 40 years of independent worldwide research has shown that Light Therapy delivers powerful therapeutic benefits to living tissue and organisms. Both visible red and infrared light have shown to be highly successful at effecting change at the cellular level. Visible red light penetrates tissue to a depth of 8-10 mm (less than ½”). It is successful in treating problems close to the surface such as cuts, wounds, scars, trigger and acupuncture points and is particularly effective in treating infections. Infrared light penetrates to a depth of 30-40 mm (1” – 1-1/2”) which makes it effective for treating bones, joints and deep muscle.

Light Therapy can increase circulation by forming new capillaries, which are additional blood vessels that replace damaged ones. It can stimulate the release of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) which is like energy currency. When an ATP molecule is broken apart, energy is released. ATP is needed for healthy muscle contraction and other cell functions. Collagen production can be increased. Collagen is the protein used to repair damaged tissue and is also the substance that holds all cells together. RNA and DNA synthesis is increased thus helping damaged cells to be replaced more efficiently.

Light Therapy is safe and effective with no side effects. For more information Click Here.

Electro-Acuscope Myopulse Therapy
The Electro Acuscope Myopulse is a highly sophisticated electro-therapy instrument that introduces a low voltage micro current through injured tissue and accelerates the healing process. Unlike other more conventional forms of electrical stimulation such as T.E.N.S. or Interferential Therapy, this therapy facilitates tissue repair and cell regeneration at an accelerated rate, usually cutting recovery time by as much as 50%.

 The Acuscope uses electricity to treat pain by stimulating the nervous system. The Myopulse is the companion instrument to the Acuscope. It stimulates muscles, tendons and ligaments, reduces spasms and inflammation and strengthens tissues damaged by injury. Electro-Acuscope Myopulse Therapy is used by veterinarians, certified equine and animal therapists, hospitals, sports medicine practitioners, professional athletes and countless private physicians.

In application, it is very similar to ultrasound in that it is administered by using conductivity gel and a brass probe to perform specific trigger point therapy. A treatment takes approximately 20-30 minutes, with significant relief experienced after the first few treatments. Depending on the nature of the condition, the patient may require an average of 8 to 12 treatments over a 30 day period to attain maximal results.

Because of its profound effects on tissue repair, the Electro Acuscope Myopulse Therapy System can be used successfully for a broad range of neuro-musculo-skeletal disorders - both chronic and acute.

To find out more Click Here.

Equine Sports Massage
Massage therapy has been around for thousands of years. It provides both psychological and physiological effects and is completely successful in effecting the skin, muscles, blood vessels, lymphatic system and nerves.

Equine Sports Massage enhances performance by helping the horse to reach its full potential by improving and increasing circulation, enhancing muscle tone, relaxing muscle spasms, preventing and relieving adhesions and increasing the range of movement.

Today, many equine athletes have regular massage therapy as part of their conditioning regimen. Horse owners the world over have seen the benefits of massage and schedule routine visits to enhance performance, as well as prevent injury.

To learn more, Click Here.

Tellington Touch
The Tellington Touch Equine Awareness Method is a training system for horses that incorporates body work, groundwork, and riding exercises to help improve the co-ordination, balance and athletic ability while deepening further understanding between the horse and its owner.

Developed by horsewoman, Linda Tellington-Jones, TTEAM is widely used the world over by competitive and pleasure riders, Veterinarians and trainers to educate and rehabilitate horses of all ages and breeds.

With its foundation in the Feldenkrais Method of Awareness Through Movement, TTEAM techniques take the horse through a series of gentle exercises to help alter existing habitual postural patterns. This encourages them to use their bodies more effectively. As posture dictates behaviour, many unwanted behaviors such as rearing, bucking, or biting etc. can be completely corrected as the horses posture improves. TTEAM enables the horse to move beyond the instinctive responses and encourages them to become more active as opposed to re-active.

It is not necessary to adopt the whole TTEAM philosophy or to use every exercise to make a difference. Learning just a few of the simple body TTouches and movements can make a huge difference in your horse’s life.

Visit the TTEAM site to learn more about this fascinating and highly successful method.

Bach Flower Remedies
In the early 1930’s the noted British physician and scientist, Dr. Edward Bach observed that his patients would display emotional and psychological difficulties prior to the onset of physical illness. He also observed that these difficulties inhibited the body to utilize its natural healing abilities to prevent or overcome disease. He left his practice and dedicated the rest of his life studying the relationship between a person’s state of mind and the onset and pregression of disease.

Bach believed that the only way to truly prevent or deal with illness was to address the underlying emotional causes and he believed that chemical drugs could not do this. He also believed that the side effects of chemical drugs far outweighed any good they might provide. Bach believed that safe and gentle treatment could be found in nature.

Through his studies, Bach discovered that the preparation of 38 flowering plants, trees and special waters alleviated a broad range of emotional and psychological difficulties safely and effectively.

Bach’s Flower Remedies come in small stock bottles. They are affordable, easy to use and there is no improper or wrong method of applying them. They can be added to food, water, or taken directly from the bottles. For animals they can even be rubbed inside the gums, nostrils or added to treats. It is not even necessary to count the number of drops. Suggestions are given to offer a parameter of accepted dilution, but one cannot overdose the remedies for they are completely safe and non-toxic. And they are just as effective for humans as they are for animals.

To learn more about Bach Flower Remedies and which remedy suits which condition, Click Here.

These are but a few of the alternatives we have to choose from in our quest to prevent dis-ease and treat injuries and illness for ourselves as well as our horses. All of these therapies are safe and effective. I hope you will take the time to learn more about each one and if and when the time comes you may make a more informed and intelligent choice.

Donna Nearing