My horse had accupuncture yesterday

[YorksG]

It was amazing to watch, she seemed to really enjoy it. It was the second treatment, the first time she had chiropractery (sp) as well. The results are incredible, al the stiffness down her right side has gone and she is moving freely again. Sorry for the quite self-indulgent post.

 

[_Libby_]

coool , what made you decide to try it?
Have you had acupuncture?

 

[YorksG]

It's a bit of a long story, but boiled down, I thought I was loosing my nerve on Amber and my ability to ride her, she was threatening to bronk, esp on right rein canter tranitions, so got a person I trust to come and give me a lesson, said I wanted her to ride Amber, prove all was well and then bully me.

She listened to my explanation and then looked at the mare and said she was tight down the right hand side, we use the same vet. He does the chiro and the accupncture, he came out and agreed with my instructor. It was great and worked so quickly. I haven't ever had it but will think about it in future.

 

[pottamus]

I have no experience of accupuncture on horses but have had treatment on myself for the last four months for a back problem! I swear by it and all the better if it is followed up by some sort of remedial massage to get the muscles to relax and release. I have been in pain never experienced before with my back over the last 4 months but I would not have got better but for my wonderful accupuncturist.

 

[Bossanova]

Our eventers have regular accupuncture and we gets referrals in on livery here for the local accupuncturist to treat too. It's fab, really does work wonders. The most interesting point I think is the needle that stimulates appetite- our skinny tb that doesnt enjoy food never stops eating for about 24 hours after the treatment!!

 

[TarrSteps]

We had a great accupuncturist vet where I lived before - he held a trainer's license, showjumped a bit himself and had been to China to study. Some of his results were really amazing, particularly with back/muscle complaints that didn't respond to other therapies. He did a couple of horses for me and I always suggested him to clients who were stumped.

Apparently accupuncture is also particularly good for pain relief (studies with people look promising) so the only caution is one has to be careful what other therapies are used with it as the horse may not "say" if it's overstressed.

It is starting to get more commonly practiced by other vets, ones who do not have much of a background in it, and I have to say I found many of these practicioners far less effective. They seemed to do it on a "paint by numbers" basis instead of really assessing the horses like the first fellow. I guess as more people jump on the bandwagon it will be the same old problem of telling the pros from the posers.

Glad it helped.