Firing of Horses

Position

"The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) is opposed to the procedure known as firing."

Background

Firing has been used in the past as therapy in the treatment of lameness in horses. Although counter-irritation remains the basis for some therapies in veterinary and human medicine, there is no evidence of the efficacy of pin firing to justify the pain and tissue damage caused by the procedure.

(Revised November 2000)