Equine Acupuncture

Frequently Asked Questions!

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is the stimulation (usually using needle placement) of a specific point on your horse’s body, resulting in a therapeutic effect.  

What are the most common uses for equine acupuncture?

Acupuncture is commonly used to treat musculoskeletal problems such as lameness from many different causes, muscle soreness, back pain, and arthritis. It can also be used for some neurologic disorders such as facial nerve paralysis or horses with anhidrosis (not sweating).

How can acupuncture help my horse? How do I know if my horse will benefit from acupuncture?

Acupuncture can be used to treat a variety of conditions in your horse, from maintaining your equine athlete at the top of their performance to helping your geriatric horse be more comfortable day to day. However, there are some cases where acupuncture is not recommended. Please contact us if you have any questions and we would be happy to discuss your horse and decide if acupuncture would be beneficial.

Do the acupuncture needles hurt my horse?

Most horses tolerate acupuncture extremely well, with some animal becoming so relaxed that they will fall asleep. The needles used for acupuncture are very small and flexible, so they don’t feel like a normal needle used for injection. Acupuncture is actually often used for providing pain relief. However, as ever horse is an individual, some may be more reactive to the needle placement. We will work with you to tailor the treatment plan to provide the most benefit with the least amount of stress for your horse

How long does it take to see results? Will my horse need more than one treatment?

Many times improvement in your horses condition will be seen right away, but the effects may not last as long without completing a treatment course. The number of treatments will vary for each case. Typically, acute conditions resolve quickly (1-3 treatments), while chronic conditions usually resolve more slowly (4-8 treatments). Many conditions benefit from a maintenance treatment schedule (such as once monthly) after the initial treatment course.

Is there “down time” after acupuncture?

Depending on the condition being treated with acupuncture, there may be a short period of rest recommended in order to gain the most effect from the treatment

Who can provide acupuncture for my horse?

Only a licensed veterinarian who has completed additional training after veterinary school is qualified to provide acupuncture for your horse.