Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine

While western medicine has only been in existence for a couple hundred of years, traditional Chinese medicine has been used for close to 5,000 years to cure ailments on all animal species.

Recently there has been a response in horse owners reaching out for complimentary therapies such as acupuncture and herbs as answers to conditions that western medicine does not have a good answer for. In humans, acupuncture is used in musculoskeletal conditions and injuries, for reproductive issues and infertility in women, and for a variety of internal medicine issues with great success. Acupuncture also addresses blockages or disruptions in the flow of Qi through the meridians in the horse. In western terms, it is the stimulation of alternate neural pathways that affect pain and neurochemical pathways, resulting in changes in pain, sensation, blood flow, and immune function.

Acupuncture involves the precise placement of fine, sterile needles at specific points in the horse’s body to stimulate the nervous system and promote the body’s natural healing process. This process is minimally invasive and stimulates nerve endings, increases blood flow, releases endorphins, and regulates inflammatory and immune responses. It is commonly used to help manage musculoskeletal pain, improve mobility, support rehabilitation, and enhance overall performance. Improvements can also be seen in digestion support and overall stress and tension.