Professional human athletes experience strain from frequent and demanding training and performance. They use a variety of complementary therapies to promote the body’s natural healing processes and ease the discomfort you experience so as not to interfere with your performance. Equine athletes may also benefit from a variety of integrative therapies to help them feel and perform their best.
The big advantage of using complementary therapies is that they do not involve drugs and most therapies are allowed during competition. Exceptions include electroacupuncture, shockwave therapy, Class IV laser therapy, and cryotherapy as they are not permitted during FEI sanctioned events. (Always check the rules governing the contest).
Although many complementary therapies are helpful and can be incorporated into your horse’s health program, Tracy Turner, DVM, MS, Dipl.ACVS, ACVSMR, founder of Turner Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery in Stillwater, Minn., says he considers the cost-benefit ratio when deciding which to recommend to his clients.
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