Equine Acupressure Charts – The Spleen Meridian in the Horse

The knowledge of meridians and acupressure charts is the foundation of every acupressure session with your horse. In this article, we’re having a look at the equine spleen meridian and its most powerful acupuncture points. The Spleen meridian plays an important role in treating digestive disorders and problems of the genital tract.

Acupressure Points on the Spleen Meridian

The Spleen Merdian in the Horse

The Spleen meridian is the Yin meridian of the Earth element. This meridian starts at the medial aspect of the coronary band, travels up the leg toward the groin area, and terminates on the lateral thorax.

Clinical Application of Pressure Points

• SP 01 – Stops Bleeding in the esp. urogenital area, digestive issues such as diarrhea, tympany, and swelling of the hind legs.
• SP 06 – Masterpoint for the abdomen and urogenital tract. Digestive issues, problems of the urogenital tract, benefits Qi and Yin, lameness of the hind legs, stops bleeding.

How to Treat Pressure Points

There are multiple different ways how to work with acupuncture points. Professional practitioners use needles or acupuncture lasers to stimulate them. But you can achieve a beneficial effect by massaging them with your hand as well. This technique is called acupressure.

Equine Charts PDF

Massage Techniques for Acupressure

During acupressure, you will use your hands to be aware of any changes happening in the body. These could either be an existing blockage or the free flow of Qi after removing a blockage by acupressure treatment. Learning to sense what the body is communicating takes practice. You can educate your hands by focusing on the various sensations experienced during these sessions and by learning what the sensations indicate.

Massage Techniques:

• The One-Finger Technique: During this technique, you’ll use the finger pad of your thumb. Place it on the acupressure point and apply gentle pressure to it. Depending on the location, you can gently move your thumb and work a little bit deeper into the tissue. This technique is best used on fleshy, well-muscled body parts or on the legs.
• The Two-Finger Technique: To perform this technique, place your middle finger over the nail on your pointer finger and apply gentle pressure on your horse’s body surface. This technique works very well in the back area.

Practise, Practise, Practise!

The meridians and acupoints that will be treated are just under the skin, so you only need to apply gentle pressure. Extreme pressure could cause additional pain. If your horse ever shows signs of discomfort at any point, stop to apply pressure and move on to a different area.

If you are unable to feel changes in your horse’s body at first, that’s ok! It takes time to learn how to feel the sensation of moving Qi and removing blockages through the hands. Simply apply gentle pressure to the acupoint for approximately 30 seconds. If you don’t manage to stay on the point for the full 30 seconds, don’t worry, that’s ok too, it will still work. While performing your acupressure session, look for signs in your horse.

Recommended Acupressure Book & Videos

How do I Know it’s Working?

Your horse’s body will give you clear signs that your massage is having a positive effect on their well-being. Releasing blockages and promoting the free flow of Qi will make your horse gradually relax and show you release signs such as:

• Yawning
• Stretching
• Chewing
• Playing with their tongue
• Blinking with their eyes
• Releasing tension by shifting weight from one leg to the other

Earth Element

The Five Elements theory forms the basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Each of the five elements Wood, Fire, Earth, Water, and Metal include subcategories such as climate, body tissue, emotion, and internal organ.

You can find more information on the five elements here.

The five-element system also applies to your horse’s personality and physical constitution. Every horse can be categorized into one of the five elements. This gives us more information on dietary preferences and disease predispositions.

The Earth Element Horse

Earth-element horses are relaxed, honest, and caring companions. They don’t skip meals as they’re always hungry. The most prominent part of earth-element horses is their tummy even though they tend to have big heads as well.
Disease predispositions: overweight, chronic gastrointestinal problems.