Acupressure for Summer Heat and other news from Diana
I hope you and your horses are well and happy. After publishing my book Acupressure Point Charts for Horses, An Illustrated Guide to 128 Point Locations and Uses I escaped from the office and went back out to my barn with the horses. Thank you to those who’ve e-mailed or called with stories of acupressure success. It’s nice to know the book is being put to good use helping horses.
This newsletter has information on how to use Governing Vessel 14 to help your horse cope with the summer heat, new acupressure classes, more articles on the web site and the latest news from our farm. Drop me an e-mail and let me know how you are doing. Best wishes always,
Diana
In this Issue:
- Clear Summer Heat with Governing Vessel 14, point charts included
- New acupressure classes
- Dates for 2010 programs here at my facility and in Canada
- New articles on the website: lateral flexion of the poll joint and the benefits of bitless bridles
Farm News:
- Sparky, a “rescue” horse, bursts on to the scene
- A very large cover goes up over my outdoor riding arena
- Timothy, my 31-years young thoroughbred, struts his stuff.
Clear Heat with Governing Vessel 14
The high temperatures and humidity of the summer season can cause illness in older horses, those who don’t sweat properly, horses with breathing issues, skin issues and horses who are asked to work in hot weather. Quick Point Chart 8, on page 34 of my chart book, is devoted to this subject. It has photos showing more than 15 acupressure points that can be used to help a horse stay healthy during hot weather.
A number of these points are also used along with Western medical care to ease illness brought on by heat. This includes high temperatures due to the summer heat, actual heat stroke, the inability to sweat and respiratory distress.
Governing Vessel 14 is one of my favorites in this category. It’s used to help the horse with a higher than normal temperature (fever) due to any condition. You can also prevent problems by using acupressure on Governing Vessel 14 to clear excess heat from the horse on a hot day before trouble occurs. The point is also used to ease skin issues such as hives and help the horse with a stiff neck or shoulder. Many horses find this point calming.
Click here to see the point pages for Governing Vessel 14 from my chart book. The photos, charts and text show the point location and give you finding tips.
Temperature Facts: A horse’s normal rectal temperature ranges from 99 to 101.5 degrees. If your horse has a temperature of 101.5 to 102.5, contact your veterinarian to discuss treatment. Seek immediate veterinary care if your horse’s temperature is 103 degrees or higher. A temperature of 104 degrees or higher is a medical emergency.
Level One and Level Two Acupressure Classes
To help horse owners get a thorough, accurate foundation in equine acupressure and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) I’ve developed two new classes. Both include reading and homework prior to class and six days of class time. Class materials include the new chart book and a 440-page text manual, which explains the theories of TCM and in-depth explanations of the uses of more than 120 equine acupressure points.
Following the classes, students can continue their learning by completing externship requirements out in the field. This guided, independent study deepens their experience with acupressure and, when taken with other courses, qualifies them for a professional certification program through Equinology®.
The Acupressure Level One course is scheduled this year at my facility in Santa Rosa, California, USA and in Alberta, Canada.
Click here for the 2010 schedule.
In the Acupressure Level One course students learn the location and uses of more than 120 equine acupressure points and the location and uses of 12 energy meridians and two extraordinary flows of energy. The course focuses on how to apply acupressure and Traditional Chinese Medicine principles to support the correct flows of qi in the horse. This gives the student ways to help each individual horse reach excellent physical and emotional health.
Click here to see the Level One class flier and registration form.
In the Acupressure Level Two course students will deepen their understanding of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as they learn how to evaluate each horse for incorrect flows of qi. With this information, students can create highly effective acupressure point combinations and lifestyle management programs that will improve the physical and emotional health of the horse. The TCM approach to a long list of problems in the horse will be addressed including: soreness and injury of the muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints, pain due to injury and arthritis, emergency and first aid applications, digestive issues including colic, skin issues, urinary issues, reproductive issues and respiratory infections. Flows of incorrect qi that lead to chronic fear, anger and a lack of clear thinking will also be addressed.
Click here to see the Level Two class flier.
Diana’s New Horse Sparky
I adopted Sparky, a five-year-old quarter horse gelding December 31, 2009. A beautiful red dun, the stocky fellow came with a number of issues including: EPSM, obsessive pacing, nipping and an unhappy and mildly aggressive attitude about work. EPSM is the abbreviation for Equine Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy. It’s a genetically carried problem that makes a horse unable to process glycogen in the muscles. Horses with this issue are prone to muscle soreness, muscle cramping and tying up (exertional rhabdomyolysis) during exercise if they are fed alfalfa, grain, molasses, apples or carrots. Exercise intolerance is the most common complaint.
Since his arrival at our farm, Sparky has thrived on a diet of grass hay and grass hay pellets and regular, structured exercise. Because his previous training experiences were painful, I tried various styles of training in order to help him enjoy our time together. Since Sparky is very smart and food-motivated, he responded well to clicker training. I taught him to touch cones, walk and trot over poles and follow basic longeing requests. This work was all done at liberty (Sparky is free, not wearing any halter, bridle or saddle). Now, in addition to the liberty play, Sparky has graduated to work on a longe line and a few rides under saddle. Acupressure, massage, chiropractic care and Chinese herbs are also helping him unwind the tension of the past.
Click here to see photos of Sparky
A Cover for the Outdoor Riding Arena
We broke ground for construction of a cover for our outdoor arena in the fall of 2009. It was a record winter for rain so we had to wait until May to put new footing in and start enjoying the space. What a pleasure it is to be working in the shade this summer with a lovely breeze streaming through from our neighbor’s pond. Timothy loves his play time in the arena so much he will hardly let us catch him to bring him back to the barn.
Click here to see photos of the new arena cover
Timothy, 31 years young and wilder than ever!
Timothy, my ex-race horse gelding, is continuing to thrive despite the onset of cataracts and hock arthritis. His favorite gaits continue to be walk, trot and gallop! His summer itching and fly allergies are kept in check by frequent cold water baths and a “no-fly” stall and paddock that we created with panels of mosquito netting. Timothy is a beloved character who has helped me train many an acupressure student.
Click here to see photos of Timothy