Complementary Therapeutic Options for Horses
Ed Boldt, Jr., DVM
July 1, 2008
The two most utilized therapies in equine medicine are veterinary acupuncture and chiropractic.
The two most utilized therapies in equine medicine are veterinary acupuncture and chiropractic.
Not too many years ago, proponents of massage therapy, acupuncture and acupressure, chiropractic, and other complementary or alternative therapies for animals often were dismissed as part of the lunatic fringe. Today, with apologies to Bob Dylan, the
Acupuncture can be effective in treating chronic pain and musculoskeletal disorders such as lameness, Heiderich told her listeners. She said it also can be beneficial for eye problems, mild colic, respiratory disorders, anhidrosis (the inability
Some of the more typical clinical signs horses with a neck problem might present include stiffness, muscle atrophy, patchy sweating, shortened forelimb stride, forelimb lameness, and abnormal head carriage.
The sacroiliac joint, which forms the articulation between the pelvis and the spine, is often considered a location of elusive pain in horses. However, its deep location and, thereby, limited accessibility make diagnosis (via nerve blocks) and
Back pain is often suspected in horses, but most treatments haven’t been researched much or at all. Results of a study designed to measure the effects of massage, chiropractic, and phenylbutazone (Bute) on back sensitivity were presented at the 200
Subluxation (partial dislocation) of the coxofemoral joint between the femur and pelvis in horses is rare; only two cases have been reported in the literature. However, six cases were seen at the University of California, Davis, in a three-year
Even if they can’t tell you where it hurts, horses with back pain will soon be able to benefit from Scottish and Austrian research focusing on the long muscles of the equine back.
In the article, which is slated for an upcoming edition of
As the human population turns more to nontraditional modalities such as acupuncture and chiropractic, it’s only natural for the trend to carry over into equine medicine. Ed Boldt, DVM, owner of Performance Horse Complementary Medicine Services i
Complementary medicine is based primarily on preventing the disease, disorder, or other ailment before it happens, with less emphasis treating it after. This is a bit of a contrast to what Westerners think of as traditional medicine.
The use of “complementary” therapies continues to increase in veterinary practice. While there are a myriad of modalities that fall within this broad term, the two most utilized are veterinary acupuncture and chiropractic (sometimes referred to
Veterinarians have heard of “promising” claims of “complementary” or “alternative” veterinary medicine (CAVM) for at least three decades. The only thing that’s not been forthcoming is good evidence of effectiveness.
Not long ago, veterinarians generally considered most forms of alternative medicine to be a “smoke and mirrors” approach to treating horses. Today, many veterinarians are embracing at least two forms of alternative medicine–acupuncture and
There are many causes for back pain in horses, and they can range from the dramatic to the benign.
Whether you choose to embrace alternative or complementary medicines is, of course, up to you. However, a word to the wise: To protect yourself, your horse, and your bank account, select a licensed veterinarian who has taken advanced
The James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Colorado State University is now among the first veterinary teaching hospitals in the country to offer acupuncture and chiropractic services to equine clients.
Gayle W. Trotter, DVM, MS,
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