Quote:
Originally Posted by v j stauffer
I worked as a groom for Charlie Wittingham 40 years ago. Pin firing was a VERY common practice to help young horses that might be a little shin sore. In fact the procedure was done on many sound horses just as a preventative measure and to induce better blood flow. He also often did what was called "blister" his babies. That was also a way to strengthen the shins and foreleg and expand blood flow to all parts of the leg and foot. Talk about much ado about nothing.
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You're skimming past the major point, though. Despite its acceptance in the past (and a rather tepid endorsement from the AAEP), pin-firing in recent decades has become an equine welfare issue. In many circles it is considered an outdated/archaic method of "therapy". The term "therapy" should be used very loosely because in no way is it a pleasant procedure for a horse to undergo...even the aftercare--which involves applying irritant "paints"--is not without it's question marks.
Furthermore, while the rationale behind it superficially seems to make sense, there is really no evidence that pin-firing is an effective therapy.
