Acupuncture for Horses - Bob Larkin

This case study about acupuncture for horses describes effective pain control and management of navicular disease in a geriatric equine patient with chronic pain. The patient receives treatment and is seen by a hoof carer in regular intervals.

 

Bob Larkin is an approximately 30 year old cob gelding, grey and living in this sanctuary in the Northeast of Scotland for several years now.

He developed navicular disease and was lame in both front legs. When he was presented for treatment, he showed signs of lower back pain, too.

 

Treatment started in August 2009 where acupuncture points in the shoulder area, the lower back and hip area were treated with dry needling, initially once weekly.

 

Bob Larkin is a very gentle and layed back horse, there were no problems at all in needling acupuncture points in various places all over the body.

He relaxed visibly within seconds after inserting needles into GV14, GV4, GV3 and Bai Hui.

 

His carers saw a significant improvement in his movements and together with regular trimming of his hooves through a qualified hoof carer, he is at the moment not showing any signs of lameness any more and is kept barfooted.

At the moment (Oct.2009), he receives still an acupuncture treatment every two weeks. Selected points concentrate on the area of shoulder and upper leg areas on both sides and on the lower back-hip area.

Points lie on the Governer vessel, Bladder meridian, Gallbladder meridian, Large Intestine- and Spleen Meridian and ST36.

 

So far, the treatment results of acupuncture for horses in this case are very satisfying.

The quality of life has improved a lot for this horse with acupuncture therapy. In conjunction with a regular professional hoof trimming it may be possible to control his lameness problem well.