Horse Acupuncture

Horse Acupuncture – Pony Acupuncture

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It is possibly true to say that horses and ponies respond to energy medicine in a more dynamic and dramatic way than most of our domestic species. They are extremely sensitive and reactive. It is a real privilege to work with them. Horse acupuncture is no exception to this.

In general, horses and ponies appear to enjoy their needles and, if not actually enjoying them, they still usually tolerate their veterinary acupuncture treatment very well. Some patients have even shown unequivocally where they want needles placed. It is this interaction that makes acupuncture for horses (equine acupuncture) so rewarding.

AVMC policy is that we do not sedate horses for acupuncture. Sedation with drugs is toxic and can alter the body's perception, interpretation and processing of the treatment. It will also mask any responses, observation of which feedback from the patient is vital to devising ongoing treatment programs. If a horse or pony objects to what is offered, we take it that there should be another way to treat the patient or that the point selection is not suitable for that individual. Other points can be chosen and there are other methods of point stimulation. Horses and ponies appear to be extremely aware of their needs and there is usually a reason for them objecting to a particular needle.

We perform a full chiropractic check on each patient, correcting any problems discovered, so that skeletal alignment and muscle tone are optimised, prior to acupuncture treatment. Horses' back problems are a special interest.

At the AVMC, the Acupuncture Vet uses LASER stimulation for some patients, in preference to needling. Horses and ponies are well able to demonstrate which suits them best. In many cases, we use both.

We also use Moxibustion or Electroacupuncture, as needed. These therapies are applied as part of an integrated treatment program.

Acupuncture vet work: a sample of the horse diseases and conditions that we are called upon to treat with equine acupuncture are (in alphabetical order):

Arthritis
Asthma
Azoturia
Back Pain
Back Problems
Behavioural Problems
Broken Wind
Colic
COPD
Crib Biting
DJD
Equine Recurrent Uveitis
ERU
Grass Sickness
Headshaking (Headshaker) – see image
Heaves
Hormonal Problems
Infertility
Joint
Kissing Spines
Lameness
Laminitis
Ligament
Mareishness
Moonblindness
Myoglobinuria
Myositis
Navicular
OCD
Paralysis
Pedal Ostitis
Periodic Ophthalmia
Periodic Uveitis
Recurrent Ophthalmia
Recurrent Uveitis
Ringbone
Setfast
Shaker
Shaking
Shiverer
Shivering
Sidebone
Sinusitis
Spavin
Spinal Problems
Stomach Ulcer
Suspensory
Tendon
Tying Up
Ulcer Stomach
Uveitis
Wind Sucking
Wobbler

Veterinary Acupuncture, when delivered in a holistic package, stimulates a return to more normal energy balance within the body, thereby enhancing endogenous healing capability. There is evidence* that acupuncture treatment, especially in the case of intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), may stimulate stem cell activity to improve and hasten healing. There may be a cross-over here, between Acupuncture and Stem Cell Therapy, possibly making the invasive intervention of Stem Cell Therapy more of a distant option. See also: LASER Therapy.

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Holistic Vet – Homeopathic Vet – Acupuncture Vet – Herbal Vet – Chiropractic Vet – Natural Feeding – Alternative Vet – complimentary Vet – Natural Vet

*References:

Moldenhauer S, Burgauner M, Hellweg R, et al. Mobilization of CD133(+)CD34(-) cells in healthy individuals following whole-body acupuncture for spinal cord injuries. J Neurosci Res. 2009 Dec 22 [Epub ahead of print].
Yan Q, Ruan JW, Ding Y, et al. Electro-acupuncture promotes differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells, regeneration of nerve fibers and partial recovery after spinal cord injury. Exp Toxicol Pathol. [Epub ahead of print].
Sun Z, Li X, Su Z, et al. Electroacupuncture-enhanced differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells in to neuronal cells. J Sports Rehabil. 2009;18(3):398-406.