I’m a big believer in vaccines, dentistry (by a veterinarian), routine Coggins, and all the vital wellness care provided by your team. These are essential parts of every horses’s health and I encourage every client to maintain an established relationship with a primary care veterinarian. I simply play a different role in viewing wellness through a TCVM and integrative lens. I look beyond routine preventive care to consider the whole horse—subtle changes or patterns of imbalance, support comfort and function, and promote long-term health and performance. My goal is not to replace traditional preventive medicine, but to add another layer of care to it.

While I may sometimes note lameness as part of my evaluation, I do not perform diagnostic lameness exams. TCVM doesn’t have to replace the sports medicine approach—it can expand it. By collaborating with primary veterinarians and sports medicine colleagues, we can bring a different perspective to the same patient, complement existing diagnostics and treatments, and create a more complete picture of the horse’s health, comfort and performance.

AEQUUS does not carry diagnostic imaging—and that’s intentional. I believe some of the best answers come from combining different perspectives. A TCVM examination and body scan provides a clinically informative assessment. Published research (link here) has demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity of certain acupoints associated with locations or disease.

This information can work in both directions. Findings during a TCVM exam may help your team more precisely target an area for diagnostic imaging or additional workup. Likewise, previous imaging, diagnostic findings, and treatment history can help us focus the TCVM examination and develop more individualized treatment strategy.

I don’t view TCVM and conventional medicine as competing ways of finding the answer. They are different tools—and when we use them collaboratively, we can build a more complete picture of the horse in front of us.

Different tools for the same goal. Rather than performing intra-articular joint injections, AEQUUS focuses on complementary treatment modalities including acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, aqua-acupuncture, and moxibustion among others.

These therapies aren’t intended to replace appropriate joint treatments. Instead, they give us additional ways to support the horse while working alongside conventional sports medicine care. When joint injections or further orthopedic treatment may be indicated, we collaborate with your practice to keep everyone working toward the same goal.

When pharmaceuticals are indicated, I encourage clients to work with their primary veterinarian for appropriate prescribing and ongoing management.

Within my scope of TCVM care, I may recommend veterinary herbal medicine and individualized food therapy when appropriate. These therapies are selected based on the whole horse, their individual TCVM pattern, current medications, diet, and existing medical conditions.

AEQUUS is not an emergency or primary care service. That said, I believe strongly in supporting my veterinary colleagues. When appropriate, I may be available on a case-by-case basis to assist with patient care at the request of your practice. These cases are accepted by veterinary referral only, allowing me to provide additional support while respecting your VCPRs.

Need another set of hands? Need to brainstorm about a complicated case?

In addition to referral-based integrative care, Dr. Bickel may be available to support your practice on an as-needed basis for consultation or collaborative management—anything from casual conversation to independent contractor arrangements for practices seeking a concierge-like service for their clients.