When Traditional Isn't Enough: Why I’m Exploring Equine Acupressure

Even back when I first started my nursing career, I was drawn to holistic health. It didn’t take long working in hospitals to realize our healthcare system is mostly reactive—focused on fixing things after they go wrong—rather than proactive about staying well. That early insight planted the seed.

Since becoming semi-retired, I’ve earned my certification in equine massage and become deeply involved with a holistic medical device (BEMER), both as a practitioner and representative. I use it for my horses, for myself, and it has reshaped the way I think about wellness, longevity, and supporting the body’s natural healing processes—mine and my animals’.

So where am I now?

Taking a deep dive into equine acupressure.

If you’ve followed me for a while, you likely know Rosie, my heart horse and the driving force behind so much of my learning. She’s a very complex case. In 2022, she was diagnosed with Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) and Insulin Resistance (IR)—and for a while, we had things under control.

But in 2024, she experienced her third bout of laminitis, and this time, our usual interventions weren’t helping. By December, I genuinely feared we were nearing the end. Thankfully, my vet suggested trying one last thing: Ertugliflozin, a human diabetes drug that’s recently shown promise in helping horses regulate insulin.

The hope was that Rosie would only need it short term—a metabolic reset of sorts. While we haven’t been able to discontinue it yet, she’s stable on a half dose. The downside? This medication can stress the kidneys and liver, which led me to seek additional, non-invasive support for her system.

Enter acupressure.

I’ve always respected acupuncture, and acupressure appealed to me as a gentle, hands-on therapy that could complement my current offerings (BEMER sessions and equine massage). It’s drug-free, non-invasive, and—bonus—done with just your hands.

In case you're new to it:

Equine acupressure involves applying gentle pressure to specific points on the horse’s body—often located along invisible pathways called meridians—to support balance, comfort, and overall wellness. These points correspond to the same ones used in acupuncture, just without the needles.

The goal is to stimulate the body’s natural energy flow (Qi, pronounced “chee”), helping release tension, support healing, and bring the system into greater harmony.

Sounds like something I’d love, right? Exactly.

Especially for Rosie—her system is so sensitive that I have to be cautious about adding supplements or medications. Acupressure felt like a safe option.

The Universe Gave Me a Nudge

Like a lot of things in life, I had the thought—and then the universe responded. First, I spotted a Facebook ad for an online class called Equine AcuBasics. Then, one of the continuing education platforms I follow sent an email about a new Equine Acupressure course. Okay, message received.

I took the AcuBasics course first. It was simple, beginner-friendly, and included material for dogs and cats as well. I appreciated that it didn’t dive too deep into the history of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) but gave a practical intro to eight foundational points—what they’re called, how to find them, and their benefits. It included diagrams, video demos, and text instructions.

Trying It on My Horses

I’ve now used acupressure on Spoon once and Rosie twice. Spoon usually responds very openly to BEMER and massage—lots of releases. I expected the same here, but during this first acupressure session, he didn’t show much reaction. Maybe because it was my first try. I used just four points focused on general wellness and hind-end support (Spoon has stifle and hind-end arthritis; Rosie has intermittent stiffness in that area too).

But Rosie? She surprised me.

Even during the short 10-minute session, she gave me subtle but clear signs—blinking, licking, head lowering, heavy eyelids. But what blew me away: the moment I took off her halter, she let out a loud neigh, followed by four huge yawns. No outside stimuli. Nothing had changed in the barn. It seemed like a true release.

The next day, I paired her BEMER session with all eight acupressure points I’d learned. Again—dreamy eyes, licking, head low. At the end? Another big neigh, four more yawns. I really wish I’d had my camera running!

A Safe, Gentle Addition to Wellness

The beauty of acupressure is that it’s generally safe and gentle—when practiced thoughtfully. There are contraindications (pregnancy, fever, acute conditions), and of course, it should never replace veterinary care. But in supporting circulation, energy flow, and helping prevent stagnation (think of a murky, still pond), acupressure aligns perfectly with everything I believe in.

As I continue with my Fundamentals course, I’m realizing just how many points there are to learn. But I’m also discovering targeted points to support the liver, kidneys, and digestion—areas Rosie especially needs help with, given her metabolic condition.

My Takeaway So Far

This journey is just beginning. My goals right now are to:

• Practice on my own horses (and maybe a few friend’s horses)

• Improve my ability to locate and remember points

• Learn to interpret more subtle responses

• And eventually, consider adding acupressure to my service offerings

I truly believe acupressure has a place in preventative care, general wellness, and supporting healing and vitality. There’s even emerging clinical research to support it.

One thing I’ve learned already: don’t overdo it. Rotate your points. Less is often more.

Want to Try a Few Points?

If you’re curious, I’d be happy to share a couple of simple, safe acupressure points you can try with your horse. Just send me a message!

Just remember: I’m learning right along with you. I’m not a certified acupressure practitioner (yet!), and I don’t offer this as a paid service. But I’m happy to share what I’m discovering.

Until next time,
😊