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Horse getting chiropractic on its back
The horses need chiropractic also
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Ellen Haight
Acupuncture on a horses back
Acupuncture can help remove pain in the horse's back.
Know your horse’s normal behavior. Learn to recognize different sources and intensities of pain in your horse. Each horse poses a different threshold for pain.
Levels of pain:
Level #1 is the most severe and most clearly recognizable.
Level #2 is NOT obvious although at certain times the pain is observable.
Level #3 is suspected pain due to behavior changes although no tangible proof is known.
HHH: Pain can lead to colic or laminitis!
There is a fine line of pain tolerance with some horses. In severe pain, the abdomen will draw up, the horse looks thinner and the muscle line will be visibly tucked up. Have homeopathic Nux vomica on hand for emergencies and call the vet.
PAIN MANAGEMENT CAUTIONS: Avoid any drug that masks pain, allowing your horse to work in spite of long-term damage to the injured area. Phenylbutazone (Bute) is one such drug that is known to bring injury and even death due to careless dosing, or a particular horse’s sensitivity. Reserve Bute (and all NSAID) use to emergency situations or to prevent joint adhesions under veterinary supervision only. Equoxy fibrocoxib is a new NSAID with good reviews and little to no known side effects. Sustained Bute use has many long-term ill effects such as internal hemorrhaging, either from the lungs, nasal passages, or eventual total breakdown of a large blood vessel. When use is necessary, strengthen blood vessels with Vitamin C before and after. Despite your best efforts in preventing pain through your horse’s environment, workload, and feed, occasions arise when pain relief is necessary.
PRODUCTS AND PROTOCOLS TO MANAGE PAIN
HHH: Essential Oils. Gently apply, but NEVER massage oils over painful, inflamed or swollen joints. Return to massage area of pain after swelling subsides. See www.fuseproducts.com for a pure essential oil and organic herbal blend.
HHH: High dose anti-inflammatory herbs: devils claw, yucca, and boswellia are very effective against pain.
HHH: Hot and cold temperatures serve different purposes. Warming liniments for pain reduction may include aloe vera, lavender, rosemary, and wintergreen. In contrast, cold wraps work best for acute inflammation. Laminitis is indicated by heat in the hoof and should be treated with ice packs for cooling. Warm epsom salt soaks also offer pain relief. Muscle washes, gels and sprays can be relaxing pain supports.
HHH: White willow bark is an alternative to aspirin. White willow bark extract, even in high doses or prolonged use, has almost no effect on the gastrointestinal tract. It reduces pain without masking it.
HHH: Homeopathic Arnica is effective in decreasing pain, inflammation, bruising and shock following surgery. Always consult your veterinarian before giving any medication for pain after surgery.
HHH: Arthrisoothe Gold is an exceptional ready made formula for pain-free mobility. See www.naturvet.com .
HHH: Include B12 when penicillin (or any drug) is administered. B12 injections offer support by maintaining appetite and offering a general sense of well being. Intravenous Vitamin C (15 grams) just prior to administration of anesthetics may lessen trauma and stress, promote healing (along with Vitamin E) and lessen aftereffects of anesthesia. Oral Vitamin C or grape seed may reduce swelling. Simultaneously or in lieu of penicillin (or Bute), supplement high dose proteolytic enzymes such as Enzymedica’s Virastop and REPAIR! (1-888-918-1118).
HHH: Herbal Anodynes relieve pain spasms and help signal when to resume activity after rest following injury. Unlike narcotics that block pain signals, anodynes reduce the intensity of pain and can relieve pain by relieving spasms in organs. Often nourishment is needed to penetrate and warm body tissues such as using lavender, rosemary or wintergreen to quickly bring blood to an area.
HHH: Antispasmodic herbs relieve pain by reducing spasms. Chamomile, hops, mugwort, skullcap, valerian, and vervain are herbal nervines that work through the nervous system. Spasms can also be reduced by improving the affected area’s blood supply with massage using herbs like rosemary oil. Black cohosh can break up spasms by metabolic action.
HHH: Chronic pain and stiffness from arthritis can be treated with amino acids. L-Leucine and phenylalanine are amino acids that work synergistically to block enzymes in the liver that break down endorphins. Endorphins are your horse’s own natural pain relief. These amino acids actually influence how your horse’s brain perceives pain.
HHH: Acupuncture has proven very effective in controlling pain in most horses. Acupuncture usually has no side effects. A variety of painful conditions such as inflammation, arthritis, and muscle injuries can be relieved while the underlying cause of the pain is addressed.
HHH: A professional farrier is necessary to provide minimal pain and conformation support for chronic osteoarthritis sufferers. Proper shoeing of horses can remove some joint stress on horses with faulty conformation which leads to pain. Improper shoeing can also create pain. The key is to prevent damage to the joint before joint movement is restricted or immobilization results.
HHH: Adjustments in riding, equipment, and counter-conditioning can relieve pain. Consider changing the use of a horse if its natural conformation is not suited (or is no longer suited) for the task. For example, a horse unable to hold a dressage posture may be excellent in another sport. Ill-fitting or uncared for equipment can create pain which can easily be eliminated. Re-conditioning may be required to change a mood or outcome that the horse previously associated with pain. A new positive outcome must be experienced so the horse will no longer associate it with a painful result.
HHH: Pain does not have to be inevitable. Your horse’s body is designed to repair itself after injury. By nature every tissue cell is replaced regularly which should lead to resolution if attention is given to your horse’s age, proper diet, exercise, and rest. Weather conditions also contribute to pain and inflammation! Eliminate toxins. Work toward reversing the underlying condition completely. Your horse should continue to eat, drink, urinate and pass manure as usual, yet avoid normal weight bearing on any site of injury.
Shari Frederick, BS, NMD, LE, a nutritional educator, assists horseowners in making healthier, more natural choices in horse care. She is an advocate of natural prevention and support for overall health, healing and stronger immune systems for both humans and animals. Shari is an independent author, international lecturer and self-styled naturalist. She is also a staunch supporter of "Truth in Labeling" for ALL manufacturers. Shari's websites: horserescuefaces.com , healthyhorsehints.com