General Precautions and Acupressure for Balancing Heat
Last Sunday, 21 June, marked the summer solstice. The year’s longest day is vital in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It is the annual peak of Yang energy, symbolising maximum light, movement, abundance and activity. In the five-element framework, this is the season of Fire which is ruled by the Heart. And it being the Year of the Fire Horse, there is a lot of additional fire energy in this year’s system.
Yet, as everything is dynamic and ever changing, in the natural cycle the greatest Yang is also a turning point: At the height of the summer, Yin is born. And while, on the longest day of the year, we celebrate vitality, we are also honouring the first subtle invitation towards rest and restoration.
This makes the period around the summer solstice an ideal time to pause and assess our horses’ overall wellbeing. Rather than waiting for obvious problems to appear, TC(V)M encourages us to observe subtle changes and support balance before imbalances become established as obvious symptoms.
In addition to a general check-up, we are currently confronted with warmer or hotter than usual temperatures in many parts of Europe and must find ways to deal with and adjust to the heat to ease the burden of the environmental conditions on our horse and ourselves.
From a Chinese medicine perspective, heat is one of six exogenous, climatic pathogenic factors that can enter the body and cause disease. Usually, such invasion only occurs when there is an imbalance of Yin and Yang or a disturbance of the flow of Qi throughout the body. Heat is a Yang pathogen that consumes body fluids and may injure Yin as a result.
During periods of heat, we need to strengthen Yin: the focus should be on cooling, hydrating and resting.
Practical Steps during a Heatwave
For our horses, this means we need to:
- Ensure constant access to water
- Provide unlimited access to clean and fresh water
- Check water sources, throughs and buckets regularly to ensure they are clean and functioning
- Provide shade and ventilation
- Make sure that horses have access to natural shade like trees or well-ventilated sheds and shelters
- In stables, maximise airflow with open doors and windows.
- Where possible, avoid poorly ventilated indoor spaces.
- Adjust exercise schedules
- The best option is to avoid the heat
- Ride or exercise horses during the coolest part of the day such as early morning or late evening hours
- Reduce intensity and duration
- Give a break when it is too hot. Tomorrow is another day.
- Cool horses properly
- Hose horse down with cold or cool water
- Cover as much of the body as possible
- DO NOT scrape off excess water!
- Replace electrolytes
- Consider electrolyte supplementation for horses that have been sweating excessively
- Monitor for Heat Stress
- Excessive or prolonged sweating
- Rapid breathing that does not improve with rest
- Nostril flaring
- Abnormal / irregular heart rhythm
- Lethargy or weakness
- Reduced performance
- Slow recovery after exercise
- Muscle spasm
- Dark mucous membrane
- Stumbling or poor coordination
- Dehydration
- Refusal to eat or drink
- Dark urine
- Reduced urination
Call a veterinarian if a horse shows signs of extreme heat stress. This is an emergency!
- Horses particularly at risk
- Older horses
- Young horses
- Overweight horses
- Horses with health conditions such as equine asthma, cardiac issues, Cushings, horses prone to colic
A combination of abundant access to water and shade, appropriate workload adjustments and close observation is the most essential and best way to keep horses safe during summer heat.
Acupressure for Balancing Summer Heat
In addition to the above precautions, it is a good time to add some acupressure for balancing heat to your routine. It also is an activity to spend extra quality time and strengthen the connection with your horses while you may be taking a break or slowing down from more strenuous exercise.
Again, our focus is on supporting our horses’ body in strengthening Yin and dispersing excess Yang and Heat from the body.
There are 3 acupoints – amongst a number of others – which are suitable to achieve this: Large Intestine 11, Governing Vessel 14 and Pericardium 3.
Note: This is a sample selection of acupoints commonly used to clear heat and strengthen Yin. To select the most effective and appropriate acupoints for your horse requires an individual assessment by a veterinarian practising TC(V)M or an acupressure / TC(V)M practitioner.
Large Intestine 11
Da Chang 11 | Qu Chi | Pool at the Crook | Earth Point
Location: In the depression in the transverse cubital crease, just cranial to the lateral epicondyle of the humerus, between the extensor carpi radialis and common digital extensor mm.
Characteristics: Clears Heat, cools blood, dispels Wind, resolves Dampness.
Western indications: Fever, immune stimulation, inflammation and stiffness of the forelimb, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dental pain.
Governing Vessel 14
Du Mai 14 | Da Zhui | Big Vertebra | Sea of Qi point
Location: In a depression on the dorsal midline at the cervicothoracic intervertebral space (between the seventh cervical and first thoracic vertebrae), cranial to the highest point of the withers.
Characteristics: Clears Heat and dispels Wind.
Western indications: Cervical and back problems, forelimb issues, fever, respiratory conditions, heat stress.
Pericardium 3
Xin Bao 3 | Qu Ze | Elbow Marsh | Water point.
Location: On the medial side of the cubital crease of the elbow, cranial to Heart 3. (Heart 3 lies between the olecranon crease and the medial epicondyle of the humerus.)*
Characteristics: Clears Heat and dispels Wind. Cools blood.
Western indications: heatstroke, shoulder or elbow pain, skin allergies, rashes and fever.
* Pericardium 3 is not so easy to locate. I recommend to use the bony landmarks on the lateral side of the horse as well as the location of Heart 3 for orientation. And if you work with Heart 3 instead that is equally fine as it is another acupoint for clearing Heat.
For the application of acupressure, work in a calm environment where you and your horse are undisturbed. You can incorporate these sessions into your grooming routine. Start by holding each acupoint with gentle, steady finger pressure for 30–60 seconds, using your index finger or thumb and releasing when you feel the horse soften. Apply the session on both sides of the horse. Always observe your horse’s responses and stop if they show any sign of discomfort or pain and seek clarification for the source of such adverse reaction. These sessions complement, but do not replace veterinary care.
Leave at least 2 hours after feeding any hard feed.
Do not apply acupressure on in-foal mares as addressing certain acupoints can induce labour.
Seek veterinary advice first on any issues that you may encounter.
And otherwise: keep cool and enjoy the summer! 🙂
Hinweis: Pferdeakupressur ist eine ergänzende Behandlungsmethode und kein Ersatz für tierärztliche Betreuung. Konsultieren Sie vor Beginn einer Akupressurbehandlung stets einen Tierarzt oder einen zertifizierten TCVM-Praktiker, insbesondere bei Pferden mit bestehenden Gesundheitsproblemen.