Pin firing

{{Short description|Obsolete treatment of horse injury}}

{{For|the mechanism used in a gun or explosive|firing pin}}

File:Bowed_Tendons.jpgs showing marks from recent pin firing treatment]]

{{Main article|Treatment of equine lameness#Counterirritants}}

Pin firing, also known as thermocautery,[http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/horse-health/2006/november/21/pinfiring-proves-obsolete.aspx "Pinfiring proves obsolete"], Thoroughbred Times, Brian Nielsen and Jessica Fattal, November 21, 2006 is the treatment of an injury to a horse's leg, by burning or freezing. This is supposed to induce a counter-irritation and speed and/or improve healing. This treatment is used more often on racehorses than on other performance horses. It is sometimes used in the treatment of bucked shins or splint, curb, or chronic bowed tendons.{{cite web |author1=Clyde Johnson, VMD |title=Pin Firing |url=http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=2783 |website=The Horse |access-date=3 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306023744/http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=2783 |archive-date=6 March 2012}} There was also the theory that it would "toughen" the leg of the horse. This treatment is prevalent in equine veterinary books published in the early 20th century; however, many present-day veterinarians and horse owners consider it barbaric and a cruel form of treatment.{{cite web |url=http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/horse-health/2000/October/21/Pin-firing-A-needless-pain.aspx |title=Pin firing: A needless pain|work=Thoroughbred Times (October 2000) |accessdate=April 29, 2009}} It is not generally taught in veterinary schools today.