Alternative therapies – are they right for your horse?

By Justine Thompson

How to...

22 April 2009 09:09

Some people swear by alternative or complementary therapies, often claiming they have worked where conventional treatments have failed, while others doubt their efficacy.

Whichever camp you fall into, it’s always useful to know what the individual therapies are and how they might be of use in your situation. Some therapies aim to heal while others will help through relaxation or on an emotional level.
Take a look through the treatments listed below and click through for further information as required.

1 Shiatsu

Finger pressure applied to acupressure points to stimulate natural healing. Shiatsu is based on the theory that 12 meridians run through the horse’s body and, when stimulated, can have a beneficial effect on the horse’s health and stimulate the body to heal itself.
It can treat many problems – emotional and physical – including strains, headshaking and wind-sucking.
For more on Shiatsu click here
www.equineshiatsuassociation.com

2 Acupuncture

Needles are placed into specific acupuncture points to help rebalance body energy. Energy lines (also known as meridians that run through the body) can become blocked, putting the body out of balance – acupuncture helps restore energy flow.
It can treat many problems, including those with the skin, nervous system, respiration, musculoskeletal (such as arthritis), digestion and sprains.
For more on Acupuncture click here
www.equinenaturaltherapy.com/equine_acupuncture.htm

3 Bowen

This is a soft tissue therapy in which the practitioner rolls his/her fingers or thumbs over specific muscles, tendons and ligaments to stimulate the body’s ability to self-heal. It can bring increased energy levels and relieve pain.
Treats a variety of  problems including one-sidedness, stiffness, behavioural problems, lameness, and lymphatic system and immune system problems.
Click here to read more on Equine Muscle Release Therapy
www.thebowentechnique.com

4 Homoeopathy

A treatment in which plant, mineral and animal sources are used to help remedy all sorts of conditions. Homoeopathy is based on the Law of Similars – a remedy is selected that will cause the same symptoms as the illness shown.
It treats problems including arthritis, navicular, lung problems, laminitis, sarcoids, thrush, skin complains, nervousness, excitability, etc.
www.homeopathy-soh.org

5 Cold water hydrotherapy

Your horse is secured in a cold water hydrotherapy spa, usually a fibreglass unit, which fills with cold salt water. The water is a natural healer while the turbulence has a massaging affect on the horse.

Can treat a range of problems, from tendon injuries, arthritis, laminitis and concussion through to improving performance. It reduces heat and swelling, and can treat open wounds.
www.equinenaturaltherapy.com/equine_hydrotherapy.htm

6 Magnetic therapy

Magnetic energy fields help increase blood supply, allowing more oxygen to enter the bloodstream. This brings more nutrition to the body, and can balance out energy and reduce muscle wastage. Horses can wear magnetic gear and magnetic balls can be rubbed over the body.
Magnetic therapy can help to alleviate points of tension, strain and pain, and improve performance and flexibility.
For more on magnetic therapy click here

7 Osteopathy

This treatment pinpoints and treats damaged muscles, ligaments, nerves and joints.
It looks at the relationship between the structures of the body and uses soft tissue massage and manual adjustment techniques for a range of musculoskeletal problems.
Back pain, arthritic pain, joint pain, muscular aches, pains and strains.
www.osteopathy.org/NJENQ851AI

8 Reiki

Reiki works through energy transference. The practitioner places their hands on the horse and the healing energy passes through them to encourage self-healing.
Reiki can treat many conditions including back troubles, wounds, headshaking, behavioural problems, past trauma and stress-related and behaviour problems.
For more on Reiki click here
www.reikiassociation.org.uk/

9 Healing

This is a natural energy therapy. Healing takes many forms – a healer may act as a channel for healing energy, to help a horse relax, release tensions and stimulate self-healing. Many healers claim to be able to communicate with the horse on a telepathic level to help identify problems and their causes, and to help the owner communicate better with their horse.
The treatment may help with relationship, physical and behavioural issues.
www.alternativehorsesociety.co.uk/healing.php

10 Equine Iridology

In this treatment the structures of the iris (in the eye) are analysed. Marks, signs and discolouration in the iris (seen as the blueprint of the body) are all studied to locate health problems, strengths and weaknesses in the horse, and degrees and sites of inflammation.
This treatment can help identify the source of health problems and/or assess general well-being.
www.naturallyanimals.co.uk and www.equineiridology.eu

11 Animal aromatherapy

The use of nature’s essential oils and herbs to improve and maintain physical and emotional well-being. Plant remedies are offered to the horse for self-selection and he will usually choose the remedies he needs, method of application he prefers (smelling, licking or topical) and dosage required. Oils and herbs can help with many different issues, from past loss or trauma, to improving physical conditions. Remedies can also be prepared to support human health.
For more on animal aromatherapy click here

12 Crystal therapy

Crystals have a charge - an electrical pulse or vibration - which when properly channelled can, so the theory goes, balance and restore the body’s natural energy flow. This is easily upset by injury or disease and must be restored if healing is to succeed.
Stones are selected according to their properties and what the particular problem is, and then rubbed on or worn close to the body.
For more on Crystal therapy click here
To read a case sutdy concerning Atlantis Crystal Therapy click here