Exploring Alternative Therapies for Healthy, Happy Horses

Ensuring the well-being of our equine friends is paramount, and while traditional veterinary care is essential, alternative therapies do exist that offer a complementary approach to promoting health, wellness, and performance for our beloved animals. Below we'll examine just a sampling of the available therapy alternatives that have given horse-lovers around the world healthier, happier companions just by being slightly unorthodox.   

Acupuncture Originating in China thousands of years ago, acupuncture is a holistic therapy which involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body to stimulate energy flow. This flow, called chi or qi, can promote healing within the body. It is believed that if these flows become "blocked", then certain pain and illness can spread. To "unblock" these chi pathways, small, thin needles are inserted into certain points, called acupoints, along the body. Once the pathways are cleared, energy is once again free to travel across the body, bringing health and wellness. Western science, on the other hand, believes that the needles of the acupuncture actually stimulate the nervous system to create certain chemicals, mainly endorphins, which are known to ease pain and increase circulation. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter whether or not the pain relief is due to unblocked chi or a chemical reaction, it only matters that the ones we love, whether human or equine, find relief from its practice. Please note, however, that only veterinarians (and in some states, trained acupuncturists) are legally allowed to perform acupuncture on a horse, so please be mindful of this when seeking out a provider.   Acupressure Just like with acupuncture, acupressure involves unblocking certain energy pathways throughout the body. A non-invasive alternative to acupuncture, acupressure relies on the provider using their thumb, fingers and palms to create targeted pressure on certain points along the horse's body to alleviate muscle soreness, spasms and other ailments.   Chiropractic Care Just like humans, horses can experience misalignments in their musculoskeletal system, leading to discomfort, decreased performance, and even injury. With chiropractic care, hands-on therapy focuses on restoring proper alignment and function to certain areas, mainly the spine, neck and pelvis area. By employing gentle adjustments, chiropractors can help alleviate pain, improve mobility, and enhance overall performance. Interestingly enough, both veterinarians and human chiropractors can become certified to work on horses, so check the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association to find a practitioner near you.   

Equine Massage Who doesn't love a good massage? Equine massage therapy is not only a pampering treat for our equine companions but also a valuable tool for promoting physical and mental well-being. During massage, the pressure and movements of the practitioner help to increase blood flow throughout the horse's body, increasing oxygen and nutrient delivery to the muscles and tissues that need it, as well as removing water waste and speeding up regeneration. Through a combination of strokes, kneading, and pressure techniques, equine massage therapists can release tension, improve circulation, and soothe sore muscles.   Low-level Laser Therapy Also known as cold laser or therapeutic laser therapy, this type of equine therapy involves the emission of infra-red light to the areas being treated. This type of therapy decreases inflammation and helps to stimulate healing and increase collagen production by targeting affected areas with specific wave-lengths that interact with the horse's tissue at a cellular level. It's still a relatively new therapy in the equine world as the most research has been pooled around treatment of humans, however in both species the practice has been helpful in treating musculoskeletal pain, wounds, swelling and other types of maladies.   Therapeutic Ultrasound Much like diagnostic ultrasound, therapeutic ultrasound also uses sound waves, however where diagnostic is used to find and diagnose injuries, therapeutic is used to penetrate the soft tissues and 'deep heat' the area on a cellular level. Deep heating is useful as it increases blood flow to the affected area and stimulates healing. It has been shown in both humans and animals that ultrasound therapy can increase joint mobility, decrease muscle spasms, heal bones and many more types of injuries.   PEMF Therapy Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy is a relatively new technology on the market that was originally devised for human use and then modified to treat and help heal equines. The goal of PEMF therapy is to increase blood flow to the regions needing treatment. In horses, this is achieved by producing electromagnetic fields with varying waveforms and frequencies that are transmitted via specialized wearable devices. One such company that manufactures these innovative devices, Bemer, provides comprehensive PEMF tech in the form of fully adjustable horse blankets, cuffs and neck applicators. Overall, PEMF therapy has been shown to not only be very effective at improving circulation within treated areas, but also at treating various conditions in both humans and horses alike as well.     Kinesiology Tape Kinesiology Tape (KT) has been used in the sports industry for over fifty years and was first developed by Dr. Kenzo Kase as a way to aid in pain management. Since its invention, KT tape has evolved to treat the dermal, neuromuscular, circulatory and lymphatic systems in humans and animals alike. It's a thick and especially tacky tape that works by creating tiny convulsions at the microscopic level on the skin underlying the fascia that create a massaging effect on the various layers of skin. KT tape can also be used for lymphatic drainage as the tape is placed in such a way that helps the underlying fluid to move from areas of high pressure to low.   Herbal Remedies Humans have been using herbal remedies since the dawn of time, so falling back to such an age-old tradition isn't really that much of a stretch. When using herbal remedies for your equine friends, it's important to understand they should be taken in conjunction with a veterinarian approved treatment plan - not in place of one. With that out of the way, herbal remedies are often found as supplements that you add to a horse's feed, however topical treatments are also available. Supplement companies are not legally allowed to say that their products "cure" anything, they can merely bring helpful benefits when used in conjunction with other medical methods. Take for instance Echinacea, which can help boost immune function in both horses and humans, or flaxseed, which can help with itchy skin caused by bug bites. Both of these remedies are safe to add to a feeding regiment and can have health benefits for a relatively small price tag, however always consult your veterinarian before starting your horse on supplements, even if you feel there is very little risk.   Magnetic Therapy Magnets, in and of themselves, do not have any healing properties, but it is well documented that magnets do attract electronically charged blood particles to the applicable area, thus aiding in enhanced circulation and providing slight pain relief and promoting healing. Some equestrians will throw magnets in boots, wraps and blankets as doing so can relax tense muscles and help relieve both muscular and skeletal aches and pains. Magnetic therapy may not be as flashy or fancy as other therapies, but when pain is involved, every little bit helps.   As equestrians, we are entrusted with the care and well-being of our equine partners. By embracing alternative therapies such as acupuncture, chiropractic care, equine massage, and beyond, we can unlock new avenues for promoting health, happiness, and harmony in our horses. Remember, every horse is unique, so what works wonders for one may not be the right fit for another. Take the time to explore different modalities, listen to your horse's cues, and work collaboratively with your veterinary team to develop a holistic approach to equine wellness.