EQUINE HYDROTHERAPY REHABILITATION OR TRAINING?
THERAPY OR TRAINING?
There is a common misconception with equine hydrotherapy that only horses that have a requirement for rehabilitation from an injury will benefit from it. This is not the case – all horses may benefit from incorporating some type of hydrotherapy in their regular training routines. Read on to find out from the experts how your horse may benefit from including some hydro- therapy in their training regime.
WHAT IS EQUINE HYDROTHERAPY? Equine hydrotherapy is limited to three main modes; swimming, walking and trotting through water on a motorised treadmill belt or on a walker (or through a stream!), and cryotherapy – cold water or ice therapy. The Equine Therapy Centre at Moulton College is fortunate to have the three modes of equine hydrotherapy under one roof so our team of staff are proficient and experienced at training and rehabilitating horses using a combination of all three modes. Hydrotherapy, coupled with traditional overground and ridden exercise can give your horse the extra edge in its training, resulting in optimal performance.
SO HOW DOES IT WORK?/WHY IS HYDROTHERAPY SO GOOD/SPECIAL? The mechanisms involved in equine hydrotherapy are not quite the same as they are for humans (or dogs!) although the positive effects of being submerged or partially submerged in water are the same. Water provides resistance, buoyancy and a massaging effect. Let’s look at the differences between the modes …
AQUA-TREADMILL
The aqua-treadmill is potentially the most useful piece of equipment in the training and rehabilitation of horses. Any horse, at any age and at any stage of training can benefit from some work on an aqua-treadmill. If a horse can walk overground, i.e. not be on box rest, then there is no reason they shouldn’t be walking on an aqua-treadmill. It only takes a very small amount of water to induce a big response in the way a horse moves so it does not have to be a strenuous exercise and is not a true cardiovascular fittening tool as horses are only walking and potentially trotting on an aqua-treadmill not cantering or galloping. A session on an aqua-treadmill might be the equivalent of a hack mentally and a schooling session physically, with the exercise often likened to pilates or yoga for horses and can work them through the entire scales of training.
SO WHO/WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR? • Non lame horses – horses that are allowed to walk (and trot).
• Encourages horses to work evenly and ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dr Jessica York PhD - Equine Hydrotherapist Jessica oversees the operation of the Equine Hydrotherapy Centre and has been working at Moulton College since 2010. Jessica is passionate about the benefits of hydrotherapy treatment, so much so that she attained a PhD investigating the effects of water depth on the kinematics of the axial skeleton. Through utilising her in depth scientific knowledge coupled with her sympathetic horse handling skills, Jessica is able to develop bespoke rehabilitation treatment plans for all of the horses visiting the Centre.
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• Works on core strength and balance • Horses that are coming back from injury, e.g. kissing spines, tendon, ligament or muscle injuries.
• Fit, strong horses that need an optimising workout!
SWIMMING
Swimming is most useful for horses that have a need to gallop regularly or benefit from galloping. It is a cardiovascular workout and a great fittening tool in this sense of the word. It is therefore a calorie burner too! Most horses swim well or learn to swim very quickly but it certainly isn’t for all horses! In particular, horses that have suffered with back issues do not benefit from swimming as horses have to keep their noses up out of the water to breathe, thus making them quite hollow through their back so potentially exacerbating existing conditions. Likewise, horses should be relatively fit and well to really benefit from swimming so swimming is not often used as a rehabilitative tool. A crooked horse overground is usually a crooked horse in the pool. Look to use the aqua-treadmill instead to help straighten the horse up!
SO WHO/WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR? • Horses that are fit and well and have reason to canter or gallop.
• Horses that need to improve or maintain fitness without concussive forces. • Horses that need to lose weight.
COLD WATER SPA
The cold water spa is a freezing cold salt water Jacuzzi. Think of it like standing in the sea on a winter’s day! This mode of hydrotherapy, although also shown to be preventative of lower limb injuries by keeping tendons cold, is most often used in the acute stage of a lower limb injury. The spa is incredibly good at cooling and so reducing inflammation and has been evidenced to heal tendon injuries faster and better than what a period of box rest would do. However, the spa does not suit all horses. Horses that are particularly fresh or sharp or that dislike standing still, are not suited to the spa. It can be quite a spooky environment!
SO WHO/WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR? • Horses that have an acute lower leg injury and/or lame in a lower limb, e.g. tendon tears or sprains, splints, swellings and heat. Some wounds.
• Best for quiet horses that will tolerate standing still.
• Best for inpatients that can make use of it up to three times a day!
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Initial ‘Taster Sessions’ for the horse’s first time to acclimatise the horse to the environment, equipment and to us start at £30.
INTERESTING CASE STUDIES
We are lucky to work with some fabulous horses and lovely owners. Some of which are happy for us to share their story. Have a look at our blog posts online here:
http://mcequinehydrotherapy.blogspot.com/ WHO ARE WE?
The hydrotherapy team is led by Dr Jessica York who gained a PhD in how horses move through water on the aqua-treadmill, and supported by a team of passionate and experienced staff. Feel free to get in touch to speak to a member of the team.
Contact us NOW to find out how Hydroptherapy may benfit your horse on: 01604 673570
CAN I GIVE HYDROTHERAPY A GO FOR MY HORSE?
Yes! Is the short answer. As previously stated, the aqua-treadmill is an ideal exercise medium for all horses that are able to at least walk overground. So the aqua-treadmill is a great place to start if you’re not sure. An individualised exercise session can be tailored for any horse from the first day after a period of box rest to international competition horses that gallop and jump regularly.
DO I NEED A REFERRAL FROM MY VET No! Is the short answer. It is not currently a regulatory requirement to have a Veterinary Referral for equine hydrotherapy. However, we do work closely with all Vets and will make contact with your Vet on your behalf to advise them of our plans and they can let us know any relevant information. We are also happy to liaise with your physiotherapist or chiropractor etc. if required and work closely with all allied professionals to ensure the best course of action for your horse.
CAN MY HORSE STAY WITH YOU? FAT CAMP/BOOT CAMP? Yes! We offer full therapy livery for as long or short as required and the type and frequency of hydrotherapy sessions can be tailored to suit. Why not consider leaving your horse with us when you go on holiday so you can rest assured that your horse is getting really constructive exercise so that when you return your horse is fit and well and ready to go!.
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