Horses have evolved over 55 million years. Being a prey animal and feeding off grasses mostly, horses have evolved from small compact animals to animals with strong, muscular and large bodies, long legs able to run swiftly and adapt to eating low-nutrient forage. Horses have successfully adapted over the years and have physically shaped to have long necks, long heads and eyes able to scan with wide periphery able to remain watchful for predators. They have strong teeth, jaws and advanced digestive systems to easily process grasses, and an ability to increase their gait into a run in a moments notice. At a full gallop, the diaphragm of the horse forces air in and out of the lungs with each stride. This process saves muscle power which is expended in rapid leg movement. The horses brain power is spent mostly on the physical movements she makes.
Due to their intelligence, ability to learn and process information, have long term memories, are curious, hierarchical and social in nature, around 6000 years ago the horse was recognized by humans as being a resource and was saved by domestication. Horses were protected from predators and started to blend into human civilization. This is when the human-horse bond and strong relationships started to develop. The horse’s various roles in human-related activities have created strong and reliable relationships with each other.
Due to their natural dependent sensitivities and biological needs, we can minimize the stress we put on them by providing as natural of an environment as we can, including high nutrient requirements, rest, exercise, positive training, positive relationships and natural holistic and preventative healthcare regimen.
Acupressure and traditional medicine were an integral part of the ancient Chinese daily lives. The Chinese knew that both animals and humans live by the same laws of the natural world, including seasonal shift. By living longer and healthier lives, we need to adhere to the harmony and natural cycles of the seasons. Health issues, acute or chronic, arise from deviating from our natural cycles. The foundation of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is that “health and well-being can be achieved only by remaining centered, guarding against squandering of energy, promoting the constant flow of qi and blood, maintaining a harmonious balance of yin and yang, adapting to the changing seasons and yearly macrocosmic influences, and nourishing one’s self preventively (Zidonis & Snow, Acu-Horse, 2013, pg. 13).”
Through its evolution, TCM has proven to continue to be a rich resource for natural healing for both humans and animals alike. In TCM we look at each horse as a unique being and in its entirety within her environment. We look at happiness and health together as the emotional and physical state correlated to the overall wellness of the animal. Most illnesses come from a breakdown of internal stressors as well as immune system breakdowns. Using TCM we practice preventative care. The Chinese thought it wise to sustain and maintain good health rather than wait until the immune system became weak and illnesses set in. This consistent practice and regimen will allow the body to constantly be able to adapt to external environmental and internal shift.
In today’s world, TCM is widely recognized for its many benefits in the Equine Therapy world. TCM continues to be incorporated in the horse’s life around the globe consistently, proven to be highly effective and beneficial to maintain physical health, mental stability, heal injuries and illnesses and enhance longevity within the equine population.