After obtaining his veterinary degree in 1983 in China, Xie (pronounced shay) settled in Florida establishing the institute in 1998. Its methods have been proven worldwide to be a revolutionary treatment rapidly gaining momentum in the racing community. Championing this 2,000 year- old tradition to treat equines, Xie advocates both acupuncture and herbal formulations based on ancient recipes in his pharmaceutical line, Dr. Xie’s Jing Tang Herbal. All equines in the Far East, from the General’s war charger to ranks of cavalry horses, were kept battle ready with this approach to wellness and injury.

For thousands of years, treating the animal through multiple modalities including acupuncture, herbal medicine, tongue and pulse diagnosis and food therapy have proved highly effective. Tongue and Pulse (T & P) is the P.E.P. scan of Chinese medicine, giving the practitioner a non-invasive glimpse into the deeper tissues by indicating imbalances in the flow of Qi (chee) at superficial sites.

Once a diagnosis has been decided, the practitioner can determine the next course of action. Variants are by animal, the age and mentation of the horse and the stage of training. Herbal medicines are very effective on their own, but work best in combination with acupuncture. The formulations are specific for treatment of various ailments, and powerful. The bonus is fewer side effects than conventional medications. Most of the Jing Tang herbals are safe for race testing requirements, with a few requiring a minimal withdrawal time.

Dr. Michelle Reller, a licensed DVM from Micanopy, Fla. is also an accomplished TCVM devotee, who has attained the highest levels of certification in both acupuncture and herbology under Dr. Xie. She shared with Midwest Thoroughbred how she incorporates into her practice the Qi tenets. Successfully treating the great thoroughbred General Quarters in his early three-year old campaign, Dr. Reller shared her results of the TCVM teachings.

Tongue & Pulse Diagnosis

After first identifying the equine, tongue and pulse further shapes the final diagnosis. The oral cavity is checked, and the color and shape of the tongue noted. A healthy, normal color should be light pink, like a peach blossom. Indications of problems are a tongue that is pale, red or anything else. Shape is also important — a tongue that is swollen, thin and small, wet or dry are all flags to an abnormality in the animal. Another important factor is the coating, both color and thickness.

Pulse diagnosis is equally informative. Using the carotid artery, both sides are done in three aspects - superficial, middle and deep. These positions correspond to different organs and structures. The pulse is further evaluated by strength, rhythm, speed and shape. Variations in the normal range, as well as fifteen abnormal pulse patterns can be detected. Although the tongue & pulse exam is a DVM diagnostic tool, it is not to say that owners and trainers familiar with their animal can’t be well-informed, and observe their animals regularly to alert the vet at the first sign that something may be amiss.

At present, there are over 3,000 DVM’s globally who have included Dr. Xie’s certification into their medicinal bags, in every discipline of equine athletes. Success stories abound, with turnaround results that are eye-opening. For a practitioner near you, simply refer to their website at www.tcvm.com for a listing, or call the Chi Institute directly at 800-891-1986 and ask if Dr. Xie is in! 

Success Story of Traditional Chinese Medicine

In December 2005, the CBS Early Show declared Dr. Huisheng Xie, “the leading authority in animal acupuncture in the U.S.” Endorsed by the most honorary gentlemen of the China National Society of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine in Beijing, China, Xie’s Jing Tang formulas are given thumbs up by both RACE and individual state’s racing regulations, and comply with testing requirements bar a handful of herbals that require a minimal withdrawal time. Most popular are Body Sore, Shen Calmer, and Liver Happy.

Jennifer Hayford, owner/trainer used TCVM herbal and acupuncture therapy to turn around horse Danielle’s Magic. At age 7, he sheared his ilium breaking out of the gate at Colonial Downs. “The vet said put him down. His eyes weren’t telling me ‘I’m done’, so I took him back to Ocala. Through my blacksmith, I found Dr. Reller, and with a combination of acupuncture and Body Sore, she had him back to the races and he just retired at 9, to stand at stud.”

Bettina Gates, owner/breeder of Legacy Farms, Morriston, Fla.

“I had a home-bred Tiger Ridge short yearling filly, Snootie Patootie, who developed a large OCD in her left shoulder. Clinically, on a 1 - 10 (10 being severely lame), she was a 12. Three D.V.M.’s declared she would never be pasture sound, and to put her down. Dr. Michelle Reller, a long-time friend, suggested a course of therapy. She put together a special mixture of magic, and the response after two months of stall confinement was unbelievable! After three months of treatment with herbology, she was completely sound, got to the track (Finger Lakes) and won a number of races. She’s still going strong as a 4-year old. The product that turned her around was very inexpensive; no surgery, injections, just a simple feed supplement.”

top