Megan Campbell, D.V.M.

Acupuncture is an alternative therapy used by many horse owners to treat a range of ailments.  Chinese philosophy promotes that an energy, called Qi (pronounced chee), courses throughout the body in channels called meridians.  These meridians connect the internal organs to the exterior of the horse.  When Qi is imbalanced, the body malfunctions and disease results.  Acupuncture needles are inserted into points on these meridians and the energy that flows through these points becomes balanced again.  Stimulating a specific acupuncture point on a horse's body correlates to a therapeutic effect.  Acupuncture can be used to treat lameness, gastrointestinal problems, respiratory disease, infertility and reproductive problems, eye problems, renal disease and behavioral issues.