By: Matthew M. Brendal
ALTERNATIVE AND ADDITIONAL THERAPEUTIC VETERINARY CARE
Acupressure
This therapy is based on using manual pressure at acupuncture points or tight muscle groups. The practitioner/therapist is usually an equine massage therapist that has completed an equine acupressure course. This therapy can assist in healing or helping the horse recover, but is not near as powerful as acupuncture. Acupressure may be best used as a “tune up” for a horse that is sore or tight.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is grouped under the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). TCM includes herbal medicine and acupuncture. Acupuncture uses needles placed at certain “acupuncture points” based on the diagnosis of the acupuncturist. The needles open “meridians” and assists the body’s natural healing response. Acupuncture in a properly trained veterinary can be a very powerful tool to restore health. Only a licensed veterinarian that is certified by a veterinary acupuncture organization can legally practice acupuncture. The search for a qualified veterinary acupuncturist should start with a group like the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society www.ivas.org.
Chiropractic
Massage
Equine massage therapy is a very good way to keep your horse supple and prevent/reduce injuries. Massage therapy manipulates muscle groups, which helps relax and increase blood flow to the muscles. This is an excellent therapy to give your horse once a month if he/she is being ridden frequently or the horse has persistent minor aches/pains that cause reduced range of motion.
There is no national/state regulatory body to certify an equine massage therapist, usually the school that trains the therapist certifies the therapist.
Chiropractors treating horses has become more and more common place. Chiropractors help realign bones that have become misaligned which is usually the neck and back. You may want a chiropractor to conduct an exam if your horse falls, is involved in an accident or the horse’s body seems unbalanced (one side atrophied). It may be a good idea to have an equine massage therapist do several treatments after the chiropractor completes his/her adjustments. Only a licensed veterinarian or licensed human chiropractor that has completed the animal chiropractic courses and is certified by a veterinary chiropractic organization can legally practice acupuncture. The search for a qualified veterinary chiropractor should start with a group like the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA) www.animalchiropractic.org.
