Poll to Pastern

10/03/2026

👻 Ghost points aren't just a fun name for spooky season, they're a real part of TCM. There are thirteen of them, first written about over a thousand years ago by physician Sun Simiao, and back then they were the go-to points when something in the body seemed disturbed in a way no one could quite explain.

Today we understand that as a disturbance of Shen, the spirit, your animal's sense of calm, presence, and "being themselves." When Shen is unsettled, you might notice anxiety, restlessness, or a horse (or dog, or cat) that just seems off for no clear reason.

LI 11 is one of the Thirteen Ghost Points, known historically as "Ghost Leg." 🕯️

Want to learn points like this yourself? Check out our online course: https://www.polltopastern.com/online-courses

Or get an acupressure chart or two or three: https://www.polltopastern.com/category/acupressure-charts

10/02/2026

🐴 GV14 is a point horses already know, it's where they groom and relax together. In TCM, it's traditionally used for neck and shoulder tension relief, and it's also known to help with spookiness.

You can reach it from the ground or on horseback, and 30-45 seconds a day (or until you see the release) is all it takes.

There's something special about using a point your horse already understands from their own herd behavior, it's not a foreign touch, it's a language they already speak. That's part of why acupressure can build trust so naturally between horse and handler.

Want to learn points like this yourself? Sign up for one of our online courses: https://www.polltopastern.com/online-courses

Acupressure is complementary and does not replace veterinary care.

10/01/2026

Fall is Metal Element season in Traditional Chinese Medicine, linked to the Lungs, the Large Intestine, and the idea of letting go. As the weather shifts, this is a good time to pay attention to your horse, dog, or cat's coat, breathing, and digestion, and to give them a little extra support.

Swipe through for signs to watch for and simple ways to support them through the season. 🍂

Want to go deeper?
📖 Five Element Theory for Animals — available on Amazon and in our online course
📝 Free resources on our blog

09/22/2026

This is her moment. 🐴

Eyes closed. Head low. Completely tuned in to how her body feels.

No distractions, no rushing, just her, fully present while the red light quietly does its work underneath, supporting circulation, easing tension, helping her body do what it already knows how to do.

We don't often get to watch an animal experience stillness like this. It's a privilege every time.

09/22/2026

Today marks the autumn equinox, the true start of Metal Element season in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Metal governs the lungs and large intestine, and it's closely tied to structure, boundaries, and letting go. As we move into this season, it's common to see signs of Metal imbalance show up in our animals: dry or dull coats, mild respiratory sensitivity, low motivation or withdrawal, or even changes in elimination. None of these are dramatic on their own, but together they can point to a system that needs a little extra support as the seasons shift.

This is exactly the kind of pattern recognition I cover in Five Element Theory for Animals book and course: how each element shows up, what imbalance looks like, and how to support your horse, dog, or cat through seasonal transitions like this one.

If you are well versed in acupressure and want reference material for acupressure points that support each element, check out our charts in our store for element support!

09/21/2026

Your horse has a whole team: vet, farrier, trainer, maybe a chiropractor or saddle fitter. But there's often one voice missing from that conversation, the practitioner who's been watching your horse's patterns session after session.

As an acupressure practitioner, I'm not just feeling for tension or movement issues. I'm looking at how your horse's internal systems, digestive, immune, nervous, emotional, are communicating through the body's meridian pathways. A sudden behavior change (girthy, head shy, unusually reactive) isn't always a training issue. Sometimes it's a window into something happening internally that hasn't shown up anywhere else yet.

This doesn't mean I diagnose or override your vet, that's never my role. But repeated sessions with the same horse build a kind of pattern recognition a single vet visit can't always capture.

The goal isn't competition between professionals. It's communication. Your vet, farrier, trainer, and yes, your acupressure practitioner, are all pieces of the same puzzle.

Has your horse's care team ever caught something because everyone was talking to each other? 🐴

09/17/2026

🐾 Heading to the farmers market at McLawland Farm this Wednesday? Come a little early and bring your pup!

I'm hosting a Canine Acupressure Class at 5:30pm right alongside the market! In this hands-on class you'll learn how to locate key acupressure points on your dog and use gentle, simple techniques to support their physical wellness, calm their nervous system, and deepen your bond, real skills you can use at home every single day, not just theory.

You'll be learning directly from me, a National Board Certified Animal Acupressure Practitioner, in a small, relaxed group setting. Then stick around after to grab some local goodies from the market!

Spots are limited and registration is required, so grab your spot before registration closes Sunday!

Come learn acupressure points to support your pups!

09/16/2026

There are a lot of red light therapy devices on the market for horses these days and many of them mass produced and marketed by companies that have never put their hands on a horse 🐴

The EquineGlow Poll is different.

I'm Stephanie, a woman owned small business owner, equine bodyworker, and National Board Certified Animal Acupressure Practitioner with 7 years of hands on experience working with horses. I designed the EquineGlow Poll Cap myself because I kept seeing the same problem: poll caps with limited coverage, too few lights, and diodes that didn't lay flat against the horse's body.

So I started with a foam cutout, tested it on real horses, adjusted the fit, the ear holes, the coverage — over and over for six months until it was right. Because I knew exactly what horses needed. I work on them every week.

The result is a device designed from the inside out, by someone who actually understands the poll, TMJ, and atlas/axis and why supporting this area matters so much for your horse's comfort, movement, and performance.

648 LED light sources | 6 therapy modes | 20 min auto timer | 4+ hour battery life
Small business. Woman owned. Horse person made. 🐴

https://www.polltopastern.com/product-page/equineglow-poll

Introducing our EquineGlow Poll: the ultimate portable red light therapy device for your horse's poll area. As the largest device on the market, it provides unmatched coverage and effectiveness. This innovative solution targets the TMJ, atlas and axis vertebrae, and temporalis muscle, delivering the...