Alternative Horse Therapy
Traditional veterinary medicine, much like in the human world, is often based on treating symptoms rather than the cause, or the underlying problem. Alternative horse therapies, on the other hand, are ancient forms of treatment that take a holistic approach to the whole body, mind, and spirit of the horse, to treat the underlying causes of problems manifesting in the body, and promote an overall sense of well being.
There are many types of alternative horse therapy treatments used to treat a large range of problems that your horse may be experiencing. It is recommended that alternative treatments be used regularly as a preventative treatment, rather than having to use them as a treatment after damage has been done. Below are some of the most commonly practiced alternative therapies for equine treatment, and well being.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture, as an alternative therapy, which uses tiny needles inserted into meridians, or certain parts of the horse body, to maintain the horses balance, as well as promote good overall health. The examination and treatment requires close observation of the horse to identify the points of the body that need the treatment.
Chiropractic Therapy
Chiropractic treatments also need close observation of the horse, after a close observation the horse body is then manipulated to improve the flexibility of the horses spine, and joints. Horse chiropractic therapy is much the same as human chiropractic therapy and can increase the performance of a horse by moving joints into place to assist with overall performance.
Body Work
Bodywork is the term used for massage therapy, which treats soreness in the horse muscles. Unlike chiropractic therapy; bodywork concentrates on the horses muscles, rather than joints. This therapy is used to promote efficient movement by taking away the soreness in the horse muscles.
Homeopathy
Using naturally occurring substances diluted down to minute particles are the basics of homeopathy medicine. This therapy is used for treating diseases in a horse body. Homeopathy is an ancient Chinese form of medicine, which has been used successfully with horses and humans alike to treat a large range of diseases, and illnesses. Homeopathy is usually used along with other alternative therapies, such as chiropractic, bodywork, and acupuncture.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy uses fragrances that can affect the mood of a horse, assist in healing, and promote a sense of wellness. Aromatherapy is often used alongside herbs in a horse diet, to reduce irritation of the digestive tract, for better overall health, and well being.
Other Physical Therapies
There are many physical therapies being introduced to treat pain in horse tissues, and bones. Some of these therapies are known as magnetic therapy, laser therapies, electrical stimulation, and ultrasound, and are often used by veterinarians.
In most cases, the horse body can heal itself without medicines, synthetic, or alternative. But when natural therapies are used, they provide quicker healing times, and a feeling of overall well being, which will put the horses body into the healing mode faster, and possibly reduce healing times considerably.
November 15th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Lame horse help? Boen therapy?
Now, this is NOT my horse. It’s a horse on my yard, the vet is coming out to see it on Monday. So no “take it to the vet now!” comments!
This horse is lame in back, according to his owner he’s “not moving properly”. Now, he has a history of his pelvis being out of line but he is not responding to any pressure across his back. Myself and the YO have examined him to see if we could shed any light before the vet arrives (of course we know we are not vets etc etc). However, we’re a bit stumped! There’s no heat, swelling etc. and he doesn’t react to pressure anywhere on his body. Apparantly he was fine until he had his monthly Boen (I think that’s how it’s spelt) session last week. I’m sceptical about anything like that, and if they’re not a qualified “back man” then they aren’t going near my horses but she is very into alternative therapies. We disagree on this but we are both adults and I respect that she has her way and I have mine - however; could the Boen therapy thing cause lameness? I know it’s something to do with muscles so do you think it’s possible that the therapist has damaged the muscle?
It's "Bowen" therapy, my mistake. Heres the site - http://www.thebowentechnique.com
http://www.equinebowentherapy.com/ << there's the equine one
I agree - I'm old fashioned too! Anyway, this horse has these massages every 4 or 5 weeks, along with his natural horsemanship clinics and he was at Tai Chi for horses the other week….. Whatever happened to the good old fasioned way?
November 16th, 2008 at 3:30 am
I think your suspicions could be valid. I can only speak for myself (as a human!!) when I injured my back and was told that a deep tissue massage would relieve the pain as well as the Chiropractor. Well, let me tell you I was so sore after being manipulated in that manner, it was worse than the original pain. Supposedly it lets the lactic acid out of the muscles to soften them to relieve the tenseness. But perhaps it hit a nerve.
I looked at this Bowen site and it seems that they use somewhat of the same methods as a massage or Chiro. and it is very possible that this guy is experiencing muscle soreness due to the manipulation. I am so old fashioned and not into this new fangled stuff..especially done by unqualified people. I could probably give a better massage!!
Was this his first treatment..or does this happen after every treatment then the soreness subsides? Maybe they went deeper and harder than the last treatment?
It is my opinion that it could be related and should be mentioned to the Vet so he is not looking for a needle in a haystack causing the lameness!!
***EDIT****
What next..Yoga, Ballet or maybe Karate..going for a black girth!! Tai Chi??? I'm trying to picture this in my mind…I could help her spend her money on more useful things!! Has any of this been beneficial?
What happened to your job at GlenEagle?
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