Remedial therapy for horses is for those that are leaning away from traditional medicine towards a holistic approach to treating injuries and stress in horses. While traditional medicine has its place in treatment, more and more owners are moving towards remedial therapy to assist the well being of their horses.
It is important to note that traditional and remedial methods can work together well. Always be open and communicative with your horses care providers in the treatment your horse is undertaking to ensure that everything is productive towards a positive outcome.
Definition of Remedial Therapy for Horses
Remedial therapy for horses encompasses the following modalities:
- massage,
- ultrasound,
- laser and
- pulse treatment
- acupuncture
Massage
Some of the benefits of equine massage are that they increase oxygen and blood flow to the system which encourages and aides the immune system. It provides both a relaxing and stress reducing treatment which can also assist anxiety as well as injury.
Massage increases movement and mobility which will greatly assist a horse recovering from an illness as well as giving senior horses a little more comfort as they age.
Ultrasound Therapy
Long wave and shortwave ultrasound has the ability to pass through metal and bone to assist instimulating the muscle and promote healing.
It reduces swelling, decreases spams in muscle andincreases the blood supply to the system which promotes healing. Ultrasound therapy can be used soon after injury and is non-invasive for your horse.
This makes it a fast and effective treatment. Several treatments of ultrasound therapy will start to show improvement in your horse’s mobility.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is the ancient Chinese method of inserting specialized needles into certain parts of the body to stimulate and activate energy which in turn promotes health and well being.
Within equine therapy acupuncture can not only be used for healing but also as a preventative measure for stress and anxiety.
Acupuncture can alleviate muscle pain and discomfort, assist in the healing of scar tissue, assist in chronic pain management and relieve stress and anxiety. When used is conjunction with other remedial therapies it is a very effective and non-invasive form of therapy.
It is quite clear from the types of therapies above that they are more than anything non-invasive and all about being a positive and reinforcing method of treatment. Quite often when recovering from an injury or illness humans can start to feel withdrawn and depressed when they are removed from activity for recovery. Horses are no different. By utilizing remedial therapy methods you can allow your horse the contact and stimulation they require in a calm and responsive manner. This will not only assist them in healing physically but also in keeping a positive mindset which will encourage them to progress.
If you would like to become certified and learn more on Equine Remedial Therapies then let your fingers do the walking and google some of your local ones. Inquire if you can tag along and check them out practicing to give you a better idea if it is something you would like to delve deeper into.Most equine therapists find a great level of satisfaction in being able to assist and heal their patients.
Diane Febles, DVM,CVA is a practitioner of holistic healing.
This may be the career for you, it’s never too late.
