Equine hydrotherapy is the use of water to improve a horse’s health, particularly in rehabilitation and for building fitness. It leverages the properties of water like buoyancy and resistance to aid in muscle strengthening, injury recovery, and pain relief. Common forms include swimming, water treadmills, spas and cold hosing.
The benefits of hydrotherapy for horses are the reduction of stress on joints and limbs, the promotion of muscle activation and increasing joint mobility. It can also help alleviate pain and reduce inflammation, improve muscle tone, stamina and cardiovascular endurance.
There are various forms of equine hydrotherapy and here at Rase Rehab we have a static spa, which uses cold water, salt and aeration to aid healing and provide pain relief.
Conditions which may benefit include tendon and ligament injuries, laminitis, splints, sore shins, open wounds, and hoof conditions. It is an effective and drug free therapy.
Using temperatures as low as 2-4oC helps reduce the heat of inflammation and the low temperature slows the conduction of the nerves that conduct pain signals. Both of these actions provide analgesia (pain relief). Additionally, the cold inhibits enzyme degeneration of tendons post injury.
The addition of salt to the water acts as a hypertonic poultice, reducing fluid in wounds as well as inhibiting bacterial growth and colonisation. The water density also increases with salt, which in turn increases pressure to aid fluid and waste dispersal.
Aeration of the water in the spa has a massaging effect and increases the dissolved oxygen content of the equine spa solution. Oxygen is important for cells in the healing process.
The spa can be used as an adjunct to other treatments (such as pain relief and anti-inflammatory drugs, wound dressings etc.) or as a standalone treatment option. It gives a greater range of treatment options to our clients and their horses and the ability to optimise treatment outcomes and recovery times.
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