ROAD TRIP!
By Amy Snow & Nancy Zidonis,
Authors of Equine Acupressure: A Working Manual

Transporting a horse is always an experience even at its best. Loading is the first challenge and then there is the long haul. The longer the haul, the harder it is on the horse. When a horse is confined in a standing position for an extended period of time, he can become stressed, tired, stiff, and sore all over. The road vibration from either pavement or dirt roads is transmitted through the hoof and up through the body. This kind of continuous vibration can directly affect the soundness of muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints… the entire horse.

When a horse feels confined and confused by traveling at high speeds their muscles and other body tissue becomes constricted thus not allowing blood and Chi, life force energy to flow harmoniously through the body. Some horses become so stressed that they refuse to drink water and become dehydrated only adding further complications. The consequences for the horse’s body vary with each horse’s ability to cope with the difficulty of travel.

Horse guardians need to consider ways by which they can minimize the affects of long trips such as breaking up the time spent on the road, staying off of bumpy or high- vibration roads, giving the horse a larger area within which to move, always having a buddy with which to travel, etc. Another way to help reduce the physical and psychological stress on the horse is to perform an Acupressure Treatment before, during, and after traveling.

The Acupressure Treatment given in the chart can: enhance the flow of blood and Chi throughout the horse’s body; reduce soft tissue constriction by stimulating the release of natural cortisone; and, lower the horse’s level of fear by the release of endorphins providing a sense of well-being. This treatment can be offered to the horse within 3 hours prior to departure, everyday during an extended course of travel, and for the following few days after arrival.