It is dark and downright cold this morning! The ride starts at 5:00 a.m. and it is 3:30 a.m. Too cold to sleep and Samson, my 8-year-old gelding, is probably just as cold and stiff as I am. I can hear him moving around in his pen just trying to keep his blood circulating. I'd better get up and do something to help him warm-up and prepare for the many miles ahead....

Endurance and pleasure trail riders know how important it is to have their horses feel energized and warm before heading out for a cold, early morning ride. Cold, stiff muscles, tendons, and joints can cause injuries and certainly will affect the animal's ability to perform at his best. Many riders are offering their horses' Acupressure Sessions as part of their conditioning routine to maintain their animal's health and fitness.

Acupressure is an ancient healing art. This noninvasive, deceptively gentle complementary modality can profoundly impact your horse's balance of energy, health, and general attitude. For trail riders, acupressure is particularly powerful because it is safe, drug-free, and always available.

Our friend Sara was riding in the high planes of the Colorado Rocky Mountains last summer with a group of her horse-buddies. Two days into the four-day ride, she noticed that her 16-year-old mare, Gracie, was having difficulty breathing and showing signs of distress. She was not sure if it was the altitude or over exertion, but she knew she had to do something quickly. They were at least 25 miles from any hope of finding a veterinarian.

Luckily, Sara had studied acupressure and had her acupressure text with her. She searched through the book and found specific acupressure points to use for respiratory issues and anxiety and was able perform a session that address the problems Gracie was exhibiting. By the next morning, Gracie was bright-eyed and ready to hit the trail.

Acupressure has been used to treat animals for 1000's of years. It is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine and since the Chinese valued their horses and live stock so highly they used acupressure to keep them healthy and strong. Acupressure has proven to:

Relieve muscle spasms
Build the immune system
Release natural cortisones to reduce swelling
Release endorphins necessary to reduce pain
Enhance mental clarity required for focus in training and performance
Resolve injuries more readily by removing toxins and increasing blood supply.

As Bobbi Richine, long-time endurance rider and owner of Rocky Mountain Training Center in Colorado, USA, points out, "Endurance riding has its challenges. You have to be committed to considerable conditioning and consistent acupressure sessions can greatly affect your horse's soundness and the outcome of a ride!"

Acupressure Session
Offering your horse an acupressure session along with fitness conditioning program will help to enhance the flow of Chi, life-force energy (pronounced "Chee," also seen as "Qi"), and blood. By performing an acupressure session you are actually giving your horse the advantage of:

Balancing the flow of energy throughout his body
Boosting his immune system
Reducing the potential for fatigue
Increasing fluid in his joints to enhance flexibility
Reducing any minor soreness or pain
Sending more blood and nutrients to his four limbs, and
Supporting his body's ability to regulate his temperature in relation to the external temperature.

Additionally, when you take a break from the trail or at the vet checks on an endurance ride, use the acupressure points shown in the chart, "Fitness Warm-up," to give your horse that extra edge. Your horse will enjoy the ride and you will be more assured of hearing those glorious words from the vet - "Fit to continue!"

A GUIDE TO AN ACUPRESSURE SESSION
Start by finding a location where you and your horse feel safe and where there are few distractions. Slowly, take three even breaths. Think about how you want to help your horse feel better; taking a moment to formulate the intent of your treatment is very important. Begin by resting one hand near your horse's shoulder. Place the heel of your other hand just off the mid-line of your horse's neck at the poll and gently stroke down his neck. Continue stroking down the horse's back to the hindquarters staying to the side of the midline. To finish, stroke down the outside of his leg to the coronet band. Your opposite hand can trail along the same path touching the horse lightly. Repeat this stroking procedure three times on each side of your horse.

Now you are ready for Point Work. Rest one hand on your horse wherever it feels comfortable. You are going to perform the actual Point Work with the other hand. Use either the thumb or two-finger technique depending on what is most comfortable for you.

Thumb technique: Place the tip of your thumb directly on the acupressure point, also called "acupoint," and hold the point gently, but with intent, while counting to 30 slowly.

Two-finger technique: Put your middle finger on top of your index finger and then place your index finger gently, but with intentional firmness, directly on the acupressure point while counting to 30 slowly.
Follow the "Fitness Warm-up" chart during the Point Work segment of your treatment. Watch your horse's reaction to the point work. Healthy energy releases are: yawning, deep breathing, stretching, muscle twitches, release of air, and softening of the eye. If your horse is overly reactive to a particular point or exhibits a pain reaction stop holding that point and move on to the next. Try that point again at a later session to see if he is more comfortable.

To complete your treatment session, rest your hand comfortably on the horse's shoulder. Place the heel of your other hand just off his poll and stoke down his neck, continue stroking over his back to his hindquarters, keeping your hand to the side of his spine and down the outside of his leg in exactly the same way you did to start the session. Your opposite hand can lightly trail along the same path the working hand. Repeat this procedure three times on each side of your horse. It can take 24-hours for the effects of an acupressure treatment to be experienced.