Page 615 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

owing to the horse’s conformation, acupuncture is likely to be needed at regular intervals as

the underlying problem remains. The aim of treatment in these cases is to enable the horse to
VetBooks.ir continue to perform without pain and so lengthen and improve the quality of its working life.

When acupuncture is used to stimulate gut motility and reduce the pain associated with
colic, a single session usually suffices.

Acupuncture as a preventative treatment

Acupuncture has a valuable role as a preventative treatment. Fit competition horses taking
part in a wide range of disciplines are prone to developing minor injuries that often go

unnoticed. Eventually these build up and cause the horse to compensate by altering its way of
moving and this makes it susceptible to more serious injury. Regular examination and

treatment throughout the season can catch these injuries at an early stage. By restoring
normal blood supply and function to the muscles, they heal quickly and competition
schedules are uninterrupted.

How will the horse feel following acupuncture?

Most horses and ponies are very relaxed following treatment. Owners are always warned that

the horse may feel better, worse or the same following the first session. Most horses treated
for musculoskeletal problems will show some improvement. Very often the owners report
that the horse seems much happier in himself. Subsequent treatments tend to give longer

remissions until the horse remains pain free.

Occasionally, those being treated for very sore backs experience tenderness for up to 48
hours following the first treatment. The vet will usually advise against brushing or ridden

exercise for that period of time. A horse should never be worked hard immediately following
acupuncture.

It is important to realize that, as with every treatment, there will be failures as well as
successes.

Are there any risks?

As acupuncture can only be done by a vet who will have a good knowledge of anatomy, the

risk to the patient is minimal. By far the greatest risk is that the vet will be kicked or bitten!
The very small risks include:

• haematoma

• infection