03/31/2026
Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that has been practiced for thousands of years. It involves inserting very thin needles into specific points on the body to promote healing and balance.
The acupuncture points we use on horses are transposed from the original points developed for humans.
From a modern medical perspective, acupuncture may:
• Stimulate nerves, muscles, and connective tissue
• Increase blood flow
• Trigger the release of natural painkillers like endorphins
• Influence the nervous system and brain activity
From the very young to the very old, here's an example of a horse that greatly benefited from Acupuncture.
Lucky Chips lived well into his 30s and, in his old age, had a marked swayback - a genetic condition caused by the breakdown of the ligaments that normally hold everything in place. As his back dropped, the orientation of everything in his back changed, making it harder for him to lie down to sleep or roll.
Acupuncture was the magic treatment for him. If we treated him every three weeks, he could lie down to sleep comfortably, roll and get back up well, and canter around with his herd, keeping everyone in line.
Lucky Chips had a very obvious problem, but lots of older horses have aches and pains that can be helped with acupuncture, extending the good years
