What is equine acupuncture?
Equine acupuncture is a complementary therapy that uses very fine needles at specific points on the horse’s body to help promote relaxation, improve circulation, reduce pain, and support the body’s natural healing processes. It may be used as part of a treatment plan for musculoskeletal pain, arthritis, muscle tension, performance-related issues, and other conditions.
What to expect at your horse's acupuncture session
Your veterinarian will start by reviewing your horse's history and examining them to understand where pain or tension may be coming from. Very fine, sterile needles are then placed at specific points on the body and left in place for a short time.
Most horses accept the needles with normal handling, and many relax or even look sleepy during treatment. Many horses start with a few sessions spaced closely together, then move to maintenance visits based on how they respond. We'll talk with you about a schedule that fits your horse's needs and workload.
Could acupuncture help your horse?
Acupuncture may be worth considering if your horse has:
- Back pain, muscle tension or stiffness
- Arthritis or other ongoing musculoskeletal pain
- Performance-related problems, such as resistance to work or a drop in performance
Acupuncture works best as part of a complete plan. Because performance problems often have more than one cause, we may recommend a lameness or performance evaluation first. Acupuncture can then be combined with chiropractic care, medication and the other therapies your horse needs.
Schedule your horse's acupuncture appointment
Call us at (952) 435-8387 to ask whether acupuncture could help your horse or to book a visit with our equine team.
Equine Acupuncture - FAQ
Does acupuncture hurt my horse?
Placing acupuncture needles is nearly painless, and there should be no pain once the needles are in. Most animals accept treatment with only normal handling, and many become drowsy or relaxed during a session. Side effects are rare, especially when treatment is performed by a veterinarian trained in acupuncture. Source: Virginia Tech Veterinary Teaching Hospital
Is acupuncture safe for every horse?
When performed correctly by a trained professional, acupuncture is generally regarded as safe and has few side effects. It isn't right for every situation, though. Horses that can't stand still, are very fearful, have bleeding disorders or have infected skin at the treatment site may not be good candidates. Your veterinarian will check for these concerns first. Source: Merck Veterinary Manual
What conditions can acupuncture help with in horses?
Studies suggest acupuncture may help horses with musculoskeletal conditions and lameness, and it has also been studied for neurological, reproductive, respiratory, digestive, skin and behavioral problems. Research is still developing, so we see acupuncture as one part of a treatment plan rather than a stand-alone cure. Source: University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine
Can acupuncture be used with other treatments?
Yes. Integrative therapies such as acupuncture are meant to be used alongside conventional veterinary care, not in place of it. For orthopedic and neurologic problems in particular, they are often paired with rehabilitation and other treatments. We'll explain the benefits and limits of each option so you can choose the best plan for your horse. Source: Merck Veterinary Manual
Should my horse have a lameness exam before acupuncture?
Often, yes. Pain is the most common cause of lameness in horses, and it's important that a veterinarian identify where that pain is coming from so it can be treated properly. A lameness or performance evaluation helps make sure acupuncture is the right fit and that nothing needing other treatment is missed. Source: Merck Veterinary Manual
