Equine Therapy
Eastern and Western Therapies Combine in Horse Treatment
When it comes to the health and wellness of your horse, equine therapy can offer you options to assist with the healing and improved function of your horse. Most therapies are noninvasive and growing in popularity among horse owners. The options available for your horse are for treatment of orthopedic and neurologic disorders. Treatment can include hands on techniques such as massage and acupressure, electrical techniques, and alternative techniques.
There are many benefits to implementing equine therapy with your horse. For example, therapy can help with pain control, swelling, strength, and range of motion.
Manual Techniques
Massage Therapy: Typically used on soft tissue and muscles for improved circulation. Massage techniques can also be used for improved tissue mobility following surgery or injury and assist in the reduction of swelling.Myofascial Release: A hands-on technique where applied pressure causes a release in tension in both superficial and deep tissue. It has been recommended that this technique be followed by muscle movement such as walking.
Stretching: Another equine therapy technique used to improve flexibility in muscles and other soft tissues. Stretching your horse before riding is just like you stretching yourself before heading out for a run.
Acupressure: This technique involves the use of hands or fingers to place pressure over acupuncture points. For best results, one should have an understanding of acupuncture points and Chinese medicine.
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Thermal Techniques
Heat: Heat has an effect on circulation and metabolism in tissue. It can be applied in dry or moist forms. Due to the impact on tissue circulation, applying heat help to improve the flexibility of muscles and surrounding tissue.Cold: Usually ice pack or cold hosing are methods of applying cold therapy to tissues. Cold acts to decrease circulation which helps in the reduction of swelling and inflammation following injury. Cold therapy also acts to control pain by blocking pain pathways.
Electrical Therapy
Electrical Muscle Stimulation: A type of equine therapy that involves the use of electrical stimulation to make the muscles contract. It is best used in horses for improving drainage, preventing muscle atrophy, and re-educating muscles for improved function.Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) : Another form of electrical therapy, used to stimulate nerve function, decrease muscle tightness or spasm, and induce muscle contraction to maintain muscle strength and function.
Electro-acupuncture: This is an electric agent used to help with pain control and healing. The difference between this technique and the electric modalities discussed above is that this agent uses different settings for treatment. Frequency, pulse rate, and pulse width settings are set differently than with the other lower frequency agents.
Pulsed Electromagnetic Units: Usually placed over affected joints and tissues. This equine therapy technique is thought to reduce inflammation following an injury or surgery. The used of pulsed electromagnetics has been shown to help with circulation and healing.
Laser Therapy: A technique that uses an intense beam of light to assist in the healing process through reduced swelling and improvement of circulation.
Mechanical Techniques
Ultrasound: A type of equine therapy that uses sound waves at a setting which produces a deeper heating action in the tissues without an overheating of the surface skin. Ultrasound can aid with healing through reducing inflammation, reducing pain, reducing muscle tightness or spasm, and wound healing. It is a technique that should only be applied by an educated and skilled individual because misuse can cause tissue damage.Acupuncture: A use of traditional Chinese medicine using acupuncture points to block pain, restore circulation, and relax muscles.
Other Alternative Therapies
Photonic Therapy: A different approach to stimulate acupuncture points. This therapy technique uses the photonic energy from infra-red light waves for a less invasive procedure for stimulation.Aromatherapy: Involves using essential oils for improved balance in all body systems. Similar to aromatherapy used for humans, there are essential oils available for use with horses and other animals. It should not be a substitute for quality veterinary care.
Reike: A form of "energy therapy" of Chinese medicine. Practitioners use their hands over specific points on the horse's body where they may detect a change in energy flow. There is currently no clinical evidence to support this technique, but it can be used in conjunction with tradition treatments. It should not be used as a substitute for veterinary care.
Cranio-sacral Therapy: Uses extremely light finger pressure to aid with improved body movement. Pressure is applied to the bones of the skull, vertebral column, and pelvis
