Alternative Therapies For Horses

Whether your horse is injured or ill, there is no need to limit the treatment to conventional veterinary therapies or medicine. Some equine vets, as well as other animal health practitioners, are qualified to offer various alternative therapies that are not invasive and do not involve drugs.

Before opting for an alternative medical route, it is important to seek the advice of a qualified vet, as some conditions may require urgent medical intervention. These are some of the more common alternative therapies for horses.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is an excellent way to relieve sore or tense muscles in horses. It also can increase the animal’s mobility and suppleness, which can lead to an overall improvement in performance.

One type of the therapy is Chinese meridian massage, also known as Tui Na. Various techniques are employed, depending on the nature of the area being massaged. For example, the practitioner may use their thumbs to gently massage sensitive areas, and the heels of both hands for deep massaging of the horse’s hindquarters or shoulders.

Chiropractic

Also known as veterinary spinal manipulative therapy (VSMT), chiropractic focuses on treating disorders of the spine, joints, and other parts of the musculoskeletal system. The practitioner will manually manipulate the horse’s spine, leg joints, and even tissue, and they may prescribe various exercises.

Equine chiropractic may assist with treating neck or back pain, problematic gait transition or gaits that are not even, and problems with flexibility or bending. It may take one or more sessions before the horse’s movements are as smooth as the action at the top 10 blackjack casinos online.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture for horses works on the same principle as the therapy for people. The practitioner inserts sterile needles into various points on the body known for having a larger number of nerve endings and blood vessels.

The insertion of the needles triggers the release of endorphins and various hormones. It also is believed to stimulate the horse’s life energy, also known as Qi. The therapy may help with treating colic, hives, pain, coughing, and problems with mobility.

Herbal Remedies

Herbal remedies are one of the most effective alternative therapies for horses. The two main branches include Western herbs and Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), which tends to have a more holistic approach that its Western counterpart.

In addition to prescribing medicinal herbs, CHM may also include Chinese meridian massage and acupuncture. According to a 2009 study published in the Canadian Veterinary Journal, various herbs had been used effectively to treat the inflammation of joints, recurring obstructive pulmonary disease, and allergic dermatitis.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy was developed by Samuel Hahnemann in 1796, and it is based on the principle that like cures like. Remedies are derived from a wide variety of herbs, minerals, and animal sources. The idea is that substances that cause certain symptoms in people or animals are administered to the patient already exhibiting those symptoms.

Although homeopathic remedies are heavily diluted to the point that they contain only microscopic traces of the active ingredient, they retain the ingredient’s particular electro-magnetic charge, which is believed to stimulate the body’s self-healing.

Tags: horse health, horse therapy