Equine Bodywork: A Comparison of Alternative Therapies

The equine world is turning more to natural and alternative therapies to wellness.

My horse refused to move forward. Sure, he could be lazy in the ring as opposed to the trails, but even when I moved him forward he wouldn’t bend to the inside. His tail whipped in agitation and when I asked for the trot, he pinned his ears. He could be grumpy or it might be past time for a bodywork session. But what type of bodywork is best for my horse?

The equine world is turning more to natural and alternative therapies to wellness. As such there are increasing options for owners when it comes to bodywork and natural therapies. Knowing which option is best for your horse can be difficult so here is a comparison of the most popular options available, including acupuncture, chiropractic work, cold laser therapy, Magna Wave therapy, and sports massage.

Bodywork is a versatile choice for owners and can provide a multitude of benefits. Most often the goal is to prevent injury, increase flexibility, or to reduce healing time post-injury. Additional advantages may include relaxation, lymphatic drainage, reduced inflammation, increased wound healing, lessened pain, and more.

Types of Equine Bodywork

Acupuncture

Traditional Chinese medicine believes illness is a result of imbalances in “qi” or life force. This balance is represented by the Yin “darkness” and Yang “light” that are in opposition but balanced. When this balance is upset, the end result is illness. Acupuncture is the ancient Chinese modality of inserting small needles into acupressure points along the meridians, or channels, or the body to remove energy blockages and aid healing by reestablishing balance. The result is an almost immediate release of endorphins, and as a result it is most commonly used to treat pain.

This treatment is performed only by veterinarians who are licensed in either medical acupuncture, also commonly known as Western acupuncture, or traditional acupuncture. Medical acupuncture focuses not on qi, but on the anatomy and physiology of the client. As a result, sessions may be costly especially when multiple sessions are necessary.

  • Performed by a veterinarian
  • Frequency: Acupuncture is recommended every one to two weeks for acute symptoms and every three to four weeks for maintenance.  The sessions should be customized to fit the needs of your animal based on tension, activity level and need.
  • Cost: $$$
  • Pros: Works quickly, is minimally invasive and effective.
  • Cons: Invasive so this must be done by a veterinarian which can be costly.

Cold Laser Therapy

Laser Therapy can accelerate healing and improve the repair and regeneration of tissue in the horse. Common uses are wound healing, pain management, tendon/ligament injuries, muscle tears and neurologic injuries. While research is still catching up with this therapy, Laura Petroski-Rose, BVMS, a veterinarian for Kentucky Equine Research notes: “Various studies show that laser therapy increases the production of collagen, a key component of soft tissues; improves the alignment of collagen fibers; and increases the strength of tendons. In addition, pro-inflammatory mediators reportedly decrease with laser therapy.” To treat, cold laser beams are directed at the local area of injury, whether tendon, ligament, joint, spine, brain, or acupuncture meridian, for three to 20 minutes. The most commonly used laser is aClass 3 strength and penetration may only reach one inch deep.

  • Performed by anyone, but certification and training is recommended.
  • Cost: $
  • Frequency: As needed
  • Pros: Noninvasive and shown to be effective for pain relief and reduction of inflammation, especially in soft tissue injuries that can be hard to treat. Lasers are affordable.
  • Cons: There is no FDA clearance required for lasers used in equine therapy. While the cost of cold lasers can be lower there may be some products with no validation or quality standards. Anyone can buy a laser but they should not be used without instruction or supervision.

Equine Chiropractor

Spinal manipulation or manual therapy is a popular therapy. Provided by licensed veterinarians only, the vertebrae and surrounding tissue are manipulated into place and realigned properly. This therapy is a common choice for horse owners and used often in disciplines like horse racing.

  • Performed by a licensed veterinarian.
  • Frequency: As needed depending on the horse, activity level and severity of the symptoms. May be done every two weeks for onset but is commonly performed every six months.
  • Cost: $$$
  • Pros: Noninvasive option which realigns the vertebrae and releases tension quickly allowing the horse to move correctly and freely.
  • Cons: Can result in inflammation and muscle soreness. Limited downtime after the session with no riding or exercise.

Magna Wave Therapy

Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) or Magna Wave PEMF provides a gentle pulse to stimulate cell metabolism and improve circulation by opening the cell wall and moving oxygen through the system. According to Pulse Equine: “The device sends a pulsing magnetic field through a soft, rubber coil into the body. As the magnetic field pulses on, the cell membrane is gently pulled by the magnetic field. On the off-phase of the pulse, the cell membrane is relaxed. As the cells expand and relax, the cell membrane becomes more permeable, allowing the cell to release waste, toxins and inflammation and receive oxygen and nutrients.”

Recommended by Magna Wave, the only provider in the United States to all veterinary practices, this therapy is becoming increasingly popular. Magna Wave provides a training and certification program and the machine is large but portable, providing almost 12 inches of penetration.

  • Performed by a certified practitioner
  • Frequency: During show season recommended twice weekly.
  • Cost: $$$
  • Pros: Horses often find this therapy relaxing.
  • Cons: The machines are expensive (think thousands of dollars) and training is required, but it can be done online. Also, most insurance companies will not cover the provider for use of this technology.

Sports Massage

Sports massage provides behavioral, physical and preventive benefits to both pleasure horses and equine athlete using the hands, fingers and elbows of the therapist to target tight muscles and acupressure points. The therapist will manipulate the soft tissue to loosen muscles, joints, tendons; increase blood flow and lymphatic activity; and reduce stress. This therapy may be used in exercise warmup; cool down; general maintenance; pre- and post-competition; and rehabilitation for working animals and pets.

  • Performed by a certified Equine Sports Massage Therapist (ESMT)
  • Frequency: Varies depending on the horse, activity level and symptoms. Sports massage may be done as much as three times weekly for serious rehabilitation but is commonly performed every four to six weeks for maintenance.
  • Cost: $$
  • Pros: Noninvasive and provides immediate relaxation and relief. The horse’s natural movements finish what the massage therapist begins in the session.
  • Cons: There are currently no regulations as to licensing and certification. Laws vary state-by-state regarding whether veterinary supervision is necessary.

It is hard to know what is right for your horse but the good news is there are many options of varying costs and frequency.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) guidelines recommend that a veterinarian should examine an animal and establish a preliminary diagnosis before any alternative treatment, like chiropractic, is initiated.

Heather Wallace is a Certified Equine Sports Massage Therapist (ESMT) and certified Canine Sports Massage Therapist (CCMT) providing holistic wellness to animals throughout Central New Jersey. She is also the writer and photographer for the blog, The Timid Rider, which focuses on the struggling confidence of a returning adult equestrian. She is the award-winning author of Confessions of a Timid Rider and Girl Forward. In her spare time, of which she has little, she spends her time with her husband, three children, two dogs, and pony. You can follow her on social media @timidrider or at heatherwallace.us .