Mary Allen
The use of alternative healing methods is more in demand now than ever – both with us humans and with our horses. Many people use alternative methods, especially with problems of the musculoskeletal system, tension, and stress, or various other illnesses. These include in particular acupuncture and acupressure. We would like to introduce you to acupressure in horses in this article.
What is Acupressure in Horses?
In addition to acupuncture, acupressure is an old form of therapy that originated in China. It has been used purposefully in humans and animals for centuries. Since acupressure is also one of the holistic treatment methods, its use is intended to restore the disturbed balance of the energy pathways in the horse’s body. Life energy flows through everybody along these energy channels, also known as meridians. If this flow is disturbed, for example by blockages or by scars over a meridian, this can lead to an imbalance of this energy. Ailments and illnesses can arise. The type of energy flow also plays a role. If this is too weak or too strong, there may be disruptions along this meridian.
There are 12 main meridians that run through the horse’s body and are connected to the internal organs, to the skin, and also to the limbs to form a unit. The acupressure points are located on these energy lines near the surface of the skin. As a sub-form of acupuncture, acupressure uses exactly the same points on the body. Only the fingers are used in acupressure in order to act with light pressure on the respective points. In acupuncture, on the other hand, the desired points are stimulated by needles.
Targeted pressure on these acupressure points is intended to activate the body’s self-healing powers. The irritated points stimulate the function of the organs or glands, which may only function very slowly. Organs that are working too hard can also be calmed down and harmonized. The pressure sends out signals that are transported to the desired parts of the body via the energy pathways.
What are the Areas of Application for Acupressure in Horses?
The range of this application is very diverse. With the help of acupressure, you can e.g. B. help very well in stressful situations to become calmer and more relaxed. Acupressure can also be used as a support in emergency situations, such as after a shock. Also when it comes to tension and pain in the back area, as support after an injury, for chronic or acute illnesses, and much more. Acupressure can be used alone or in combination with other methods to help your horse recover.
What Should You Watch Out for in Equine Acupressure?
There is ample reading and plenty of information on the internet on the subject of acupressure. The basics are explained particularly precisely and illustrated very clearly. However, you should get help from an animal healer specializing in this field if you want to treat your horse with this method or if you just want to support yourself in stressful everyday life. These professionals are specially trained for this. You have experience in handling the horse and can get an overall picture of the situation. Depending on the cause or symptoms, other treatment measures may need to be taken or a veterinarian may be consulted. A professional can tell you exactly what further steps should be taken to help your pet.
If the therapist shows you how you can supportively acupressure one or the other point between treatments, follow his instructions very carefully. The most important thing when using it is to be calm and relaxed. If you bring restlessness, hecticness, or impatience with you, the application may not work, because your mood will be transferred to your horse and it will itself become more restless and insecure than it might already be.
Take a deep breath and go into the situation easily and relaxed. Choose a quiet environment for this and ideally a time when there is little activity. Since alternative methods should only be used without force or pressure, watch and feel your horse very closely. Does the treatment make him uncomfortable and does he want to try to escape from the situation? Then end this constellation immediately. If you are unsure why your horse is reacting this way, speak to your animal health practitioner and have them show you again. Maybe it wasn’t the ideal approach or your horse just wasn’t comfortable at the moment. But it could also be that the intensity of your pressure was not consistent or that you selected the wrong pressure point. Better to ask more than too little.
How often and for how long you can and should use this method on your horse depends of course on the treatment. Your animal health practitioner will tell you exactly how long you can be supportive or whether you should do more or less.