Position on Thermocautery or Pin Firing

When applied judiciously and in conjunction with appropriate analgesia and aftercare, thermocautery or pin firing has been considered an acceptable therapeutic modality for specific conditions in the horse. With the advent of current science-based procedures to treat specific musculoskeletal conditions in the horse, AAEP no longer supports the use of thermocautery or pin firing.

Approved by the AAEP board of directors in 2019.