Flight is a beautiful 26 year old New Forest pony who has been with her current owner since she was just 8 months old.  At 6 years old, Flight developed serious skin reactions and blood tests revealed allergies to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, wheat, sugar beet, various pollens and flax seeds. She has always loved her work and is a wonderfully cheeky, high spirited mare who had been ridden up until March 2015 when she became very lame left hind.  X-Rays taken at this time revealed osteoarthritis of the left stifle and lysis of the tibia. Flight had her stifle medicated with steroids in May and July 2015 but with little improvement.

I was contacted by Flight’s owner in November 2015 as she was extremely concerned about Flight’s level of pain and quality of life and was interested about how acupuncture treatment may be able to help.

On examination at rest, Flight stood with her left hindlimb held sticking outwards from her body. At walk, there was inward foot rotation during weight bearing on her right hindlimb. There was increased foot flight and hover of both hindlimbs, with the left worse than the right. Flight had very poor ability to counter tail pull and was very unsteady behind, looking as though she may fall over to the side. She was lame left hind at walk and was almost unable to trot.

Flight responded very strongly to acupuncture and her owner reported a marked improvement after just one treatment. Currently, she is receiving acupuncture at 3 monthly intervals which is maintaining her at an excellent level of comfort. Flight is very much stronger, stable and is moving confidently and soundly at walk. Her owner says she is trotting and cantering in the field which is something she had previously been unable to do.

Flight’s Owner writes:

“With pain from arthritis and weak hind quarters Flight’s quality of life was becoming compromised.  Unable to give her any anti-inflammatories I turned to Emma to see if acupuncture would help.  After regular acupuncture treatment the improvement in Flight’s posture, strength and movement is nothing short of incredible.  Five months ago she could not stand straight, now she trots up the field each morning – not bad for a 27 year old!” Jacqui

This was typically how Flight was standing prior to starting acupuncture.

Flight is a very strong responder to acupuncture and becomes very sleepy and relaxed during treatments