ridecamp@endurance.net: [endurance] Acupuncture & acupressure

[endurance] Acupuncture & acupressure

Linda Flemmer (CVLNURS@CHKD-7.evms.edu)
Tue, 14 May 1996 12:26:42 -0500 (EST)

Our older horse is beginning to show lameness in his hocks & stifles
on both sides (14 years old TB/QH cross, trots big like a
Standardbred). Our vet suggested acupunture & some Xrays of the
hocks since rest over the wnter did not seem to cure the problem.
(It has recurred after 3 months of moderate training.)

I've never been a believer in alternative medicine, but Tom (our vet)
convinced us to let him try acupuncture. I expected a raving lunatic when
Major (the horse) had all the needles stuck into him. Instead, he
got a dreamy, far away look to his eyes & almost went to sleep! He
seemed slightly more comfortable last night than he usually does, &
Tom will be back Thursday to repeat the acupuncture & review the hock
films w/ us.

Also, a vet came up to me after we finished the Biltmore (even before
I left the vetting area) & asked to see my horse's back leg. My
first thought is "OH NO - What's wrong!". She wanted to show a
colleague an acupressure site. After she stimulated it, Rocket sighed
and let his bottom lip flap! He looked so blissful!

Is this the normal reaction of a horse to acupuncture/pressure? How
long should we expect the effects to last? Will it reverse a
lameness in a joint, or does the horse just feel better? Needless to
say, Major has the rest of the summer off AS A MINIMUM to see if he
will become & stay sound.

Linda Flemmer
ABF Challenger ("Rocket") & Eternal Point ("Major")
Blue Wolf Equestrian Supplies/ Blue Wolf Ranch
Chesapeake, VA

"In case of emergency - Fur side up, steel side down!"