The doctrine of the five elements
both humans and animals have certain tendencies in the elements (strengths
and weaknesses) from birth. But an element can also manifest itself strongly if (depending on circumstances/stage of life) there is an imbalance in it.
The teachings of the Five Elements – Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water – form the foundation of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and therefore also of equine acupuncture. They describe the natural phases of transformation in which all living beings and forces of nature are interconnected. Each element represents specific functions in the body, emotional states and energetic processes that influence one another and must be kept in balance.
More than two thousand years ago, Chinese healers developed this system to understand health not merely as the absence of disease, but as harmony between body, mind and environment. In horses as well, the Five Elements serve as a guide to identifying imbalances and treating them in a targeted way – for example through acupuncture, massage or adapted management and feeding.
In this way, knowledge of the Five Elements helps to understand each horse’s individual constitution, to strengthen its qualities and to correct disharmonies at an early stage – for a healthy, balanced and willing partner.