Finding the Right Therapy For Your Horse

There are thousands of modalities available to aas Acupuncture, except the finger is used to place
Therapist to use on many thousands of injuries andpressure on a point rather than a needle. There are
diseases. Most people aren't educated in the uses ofmany qualified teachers and schools around the world
all of them. Often, a client will say that they "have triedin this modality. I highly recommend Equine
everything," but their horse is still lame. I wonder whatAcupressure, A Working Manual by Soderberg,
everything includes.Zidonis, and Snow. There is an accompanying poster
Have they tried MyoFascial Release, Acupuncture,showing the meridians, and these women teach their
Chinese Herbs, Chiropractic, Neuromuscular Therapy,well-researched methods worldwide.
Reiki, Deep Tissue Massage, Aromatherapy, andChinese Herbs: If you've found a Veterinary
Hydrotherapy? Generally, the answer is no.Acupuncturist, they are usually an educated Herbalist,
Each modality can address one little thing that theas well. This is important because not only is the
others cannot. Also, each body responds differentlyequine digestive system unique, but some herbs can
according to the indication. I've seen horses respondbe toxic if not properly administered.
really well to Aromatherapy or Chinese Herbs when allHerbs are very effective when used as poultices as
else has failed. Chinese therapies, after all, have beenthey can draw heat from an area. They are also
used with positive results for thousands of years. Ineffective in relief of pain, relaxation, allergies, and
addition, each modality will address a differentdigestive ailments. Be sure that you consult with a
pathology or part of the body or mind that anotherqualified expert before using Chinese herbs on your
does not.animals or yourself.
Yes, sometimes the representative of a certainChiropractic: Based on the principles that a structural
therapy can be strange. I understand that a typical 60imbalance can lead to internal disease by way of
year old cowboy isn't going to attend an energydisturbance to the nervous system. Treatment includes
healing workshop on behalf of his horse. That's why it'smanipulation of soft tissue, the spine, and other joints to
up to a motivated Horse Therapist to sort through thebring the rest of the body back to normal function.
riff raff on behalf of your client and his horse.Most Chiropractors also work with nutrition and other
My personal preference is Sports Massage. I like tobehaviors that affect overall health and wellness.
give and receive it. My background and core educationGenerally, a Chiropractor will massage the soft tissue
is in muscles. If your muscles are flexible, and havearound the problem area before persuading a joint to
adequate blood flow, they will function properly, andmove back into balance.
adjoining joints will not have stress placed on them.Chiropractic was one of the first alternative or
There are, however, always special circumstancescomplimentary therapies accepted in the modern
when it comes to chronic pain syndromes. SometimesEquine world even though The American Medical
the cause needs to be addressed, other times theAssociation called Chiropractic an "unscientific cult" and
mind causes the stress that can affect the organs.boycotted it until losing a 1987 antitrust case.
When Sports Massage doesn't bring relief, and theA modern Chiropractor must be licensed as a
attending Veterinarian has used up his bag of tricks,Veterinarian or a Human Chiropractor before attaining
sometimes a Therapist needs to research further.a license to perform treatments on horses. Like
The modalities that I've listed below can be researchedAcupuncture, it is not uncommon to find a Veterinarian
on behalf of your horse, but a human will benefit fromthat is also a licensed Equine Chiropractor. Be sure to
the variety of choices, as well. It is important to consultconfirm that a person has the proper qualifications to
with the horse's Vet, and to check references andperform a manipulation on your horse.
required certification or licensing before using anyChiropractic treatments have been proven to bring
Therapist. Most Certifications or Licensing Boardssubstantial relief to a subject with spine and other joint
require practitioners to carry Liability Insurance, so it'ssubluxations.
not inappropriate to request proof of insurance beforeNeuromuscular Therapy: Commonly known as Trigger
hiring a Practitioner. In fact, it is recommended. If theyPoint Therapy, this therapy is applied to specific areas
don't carry insurance, it's likely that they are notof pain. An important part of this therapy is that the
property certified.client tells you if a point refers pain to another area of
Myofascial Release Therapy: In many cases, fasciathe body. Of course, a horse can't communicate this
becomes stuck over an area of the body. This can beverbally, but an experienced Therapist will watch the
caused by scarring, or by chronic inflammation. A lot ofears or other areas of the body for flinching or
sport horses have this condition over the rump area,tightening.
specifically, the Gluteus and Bicep Femoris areas. It isThis type of treatment is used as both a diagnostic
somewhat like placing plastic wrap over the kitchenand therapeutic technique and there is now a
counter. In this case, you can slip your hand under oneMaster'degree available in the Therapy. A powerful
end of it to peel it up. In an enclosed body part, thesoft tissue technique, many experts that have
release must be achieved without slipping your handresearched other types of therapy have become
under one end.involved in this ever evolving and powerful technique.
Myofascial Release Therapy is a technique thatThe St. John Method is a popular method.
requires a sustained hold against the tissue to cause itReiki: Reiki is an ancient form of energy healing. A
to release from the outside. This therapy is beneficial instudent must perfect and be attuned by a Reiki
areas that have been stuck for some time. It can bringMaster in 3 levels of Reiki before becoming a master
great relief, add to mobility, and prevent further injury tohimself. Reiki is an energy that brings love and positive
nearby joints. An expert book on the subject is calledthoughts. Although a silent, energetic therapy, horses
Release The Potential by Doris Halstead. There is alsorespond very well to this ancient form of healing. As in
a great video course for Equine Therapists by Markthe other therapies that I've mentioned, beware of
Barnes.unqualified practitioners.
Acupuncture: It's as old as the hills. For over 2000Aromatherapy: The best way to describe how aroma
years, Acupuncture has been practiced for pain relief,can affect the body's endorphins is to remind you of a
disease, and anything health related. Animals respondspecific smell from childhood. Maybe the smell of your
well to Acupuncture where a fine, hair like needle isGrandmother's kitchen, the incense that was burned in
inserted into points on the body that correspond toyour church, or the ground after a rainfall. A familiar
meridians relative to the organs. I've seen many casessmell can awaken parts of your brain that relate to
where acute and chronic pain has been relievedwellness or even sadness. It is described as the limbic
through the use of acupuncture. You shouldn'tbrain anchoring past experiences with certain aromas.
necessarily wait until nothing else works to tryTherefore, as with all therapy, the wrong oil can trigger
Acupuncture because it can improve the overall wella negative response so you should derive your
being of a body. If you want your horse to betherapy and advice from a qualified Aromatherapist.
generally well, an Acupuncture treatment can do justAromatherapy can be beneficial in horses with anxiety
that. Acupuncture is governed by each state, andissues where drugs have not worked.
practitioners are required to be licensed. It is notThe next time that your client tells you that they have
unusual to find a Veterinarian that is a licensedtried everything, ask them again. There is a plethora of
Acupuncturist. That's the perfect scenario.even more therapies to try!
Equine Acupressure is based on the same principles