Exploring Equine Acupuncture

A new look at an old approach to wellness
by Catherine Madera

I wonder if this is available for horses?

Inspired and curious after returning from my first acupuncture treatment, I couldn’t help thinking of my horses. I come from a holistically-minded family when it comes to health care. It was only a matter of time before I dabbled in alternative therapies for the management issues that cropped up in my three horses. If this therapy was beneficial to humans, why not them?

Ancient Alternative
It has been said that there is nothing new under the sun. As it turns out, acupuncture has been used for centuries to manage pain and cure disease in many animals, including horses. The only thing new is its growing use in modern western veterinary medicine.

Acupuncture is a combination of the Latin words acus (needle) and pungare (to pierce) and is believed to have originated in Tibet. It was first studied and administered by the Chinese, who developed theories about pulse, circulation and the heart 4,000 years before western medicine. The ancient Chinese did not limit the use of this therapy to humans, but treated their work and war horses as well. The earliest acupuncture veterinary book was written between 659 and 621 BC.

While there is more than one theory as to how the therapy works, the Chinese believe the placement of very thin needles along specific body meridians—located along the back, neck and limbs—stimulates qi (also called ch’i), or energy flow. The stimulation of this energy is thought to facilitate natural healing. Rather than seeking to control or manipulate a disease, traditional Chinese medicine recognizes illness as an imbalance and seeks to restore harmony in body systems. While dry needles are often used, there are many ways to stimulate an acupuncture point. These include lasers, heat, pressure and electricity, among others.

There is no known anatomical basis for the theory of body meridians, as understood by traditional medicine. Regardless of skepticism, people and horses continue to find relief through acupuncture therapy.

Mixing East and West
Dr. John Zaccardi, a veterinarian in the Northwest since 1983 and co-owner of Mount Vernon Veterinary Hospital, is one of a handful of veterinarians in the Pacific Northwest who is internationally accredited in acupuncture. Once a skeptic of alternative therapies, Zaccardi decided to study acupuncture at the request of a client.

“Once I enrolled and committed to it [International Veterinary Acupuncture Society], although still skeptical, I promised myself I would keep an open mind.”

The IVAS course covered acupuncture treatment for both large and small animals. Zaccardi honed his skills on the animals provided for the program—mostly greyhounds and old lesson horses—and he has found success using acupuncture at his practice in northwest Washington, combining the benefits of eastern and western veterinary treatment.

“Both are attempting to fight a diseased state. Ideally, alternative therapies should be applied in conjunction with western medicine.”

Common ailments treated by Zaccardi include various lameness issues with arthritis and concurrent back pain, as well as neurologic conditions like partial paralysis. An example of his integration of east and west is found in the treatment of horses with sore hock joints and back pain.

“I like to inject the hocks and apply acupuncture for the back pain to get the benefit of both modalities,” says Zaccardi.

Acupuncture can be administered to a horse on site at the hospital (haul-in) or during a farm call. It can accompany other routine treatments such as a dental float, be a one-time treatment for acute conditions, or require multiple treatments such as in the case of chronic arthritis. Acupuncture can be a powerful tool for pain relief, stimulating the nerves and releasing hormones such as endorphins and cortisol. It has been used to treat horses with respiratory, skin, and various musculoskeletal issues including traumatic injury. According to Zaccardi, horses generally tolerate the procedure well, but mild sedation may be used as the process can be uncomfortable.

Current Research
Available research regarding the benefit of acupuncture in horses is positive. Perhaps most notable is the work by University of Florida clinical faculty member and founder of the Chi Institute, Huisheng Xie, DVM. Dr. Xie received a Ph.D. for his study of neurophysiology and acupuncture as pain relief in horses. Xie found that in lameness due to acute injury, 96% of horses treated with acupuncture improved. Of these, 50% actually became sound.

Acupuncture can be used preventatively and to enhance performance in healthy animals. It has even been administered for behavioral issues. This treatment should not be considered a “last resort” after all other forms of therapy have been exhausted. According to Dr. Zaccardi, this is a common misconception.

“Many animal owners don’t consider alternative therapies until all else fails. This is unfortunate, as often the only cases the therapist is allowed to help are those with a poor prognosis.”

It is possible that horse health and longevity can be enhanced as new understanding of the benefits of alternative therapies such as acupuncture are integrated into traditional western veterinary medicine.

For more information about Dr. Zaccardi and Mount Vernon Veterinary Hospital, visit them online at www.mountvernonvethospital.com.

Sequential photos of a horse receiving acupuncture treatment for arthritis can be seen at: http://www.tomjudddvm.com/acupuncture-session.htm.