EQUINE REHABILITATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Did you know? Many insurance policies cover rehabilitation therapies - on a case by case basis - please call or email for more information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • Post-surgical care • Soft tissue rehabilitation • Conditioning for sales and training • Conditioning after lay off • Rest or "spa" time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ““I highly recommend LLERC for any or all of your rehabilitation and conditioning needs”
LLERC is now a member of IAVRPT, the International Association of Veterinary Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy |
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Benefits of Hydrotherapy for Horses | Angie Hager | Back to Articles and Links Hydrotherapy is a quickly growing mode of therapy and conditioning for horses. Pools and swimming have been around for a while and have resulted in successful conditioning and rehabilitation. However, there are drawbacks to swimming. Many horses, understandably, scramble in the water and arch their backs to keep their heads above water. This can lead to injury and musculature which is counteractive to most equestrian sports. Lately, veterinarians have developed a safer, more controlled method of hydrotherapy for horses. The underwater treadmill is the latest technology for providing the benefits of hydrotherapy in a safe, controlled environment. Horses are designed in a very unique way. They move a huge amount of weight (approx 900 – 1200 lbs) and a majority of the impact of this weight is on their lower legs, which has no musculature. The impact of each and every step, trot, canter, landing, and sliding stop is in the tendons and ligaments of the lower legs of the horse. Not surprisingly, these are the most injured areas of horses. This is also a very difficult type of injury to rehabilitate, because horses have a hard time just resting and standing in their stalls. In addition, the horse need to have a controlled exercise program to strengthen the injured ligament. Hydrotherapy, specifically the underwater treadmill is an excellent way to provide horses with a controlled, safe way to strengthen and condition. Hydrotherapy provides hydrostatic pressure around the joints to support, takes approximately 60% of the weight off of the joints, and balances the horse on his 4 limbs. Hydrostatic pressure supports the joints and encourages full range of motion to the affected joint. This is very important in the healing process. Moving the joint fully helps decrease scar tissue and encourages the ligaments/tendons to heal by increasing the blood flow to the area. Many times while a horse is walking (hand walk or tack walk), the horse does not use the full range of motion. However, underwater, the horse really uses the entire range of motion of each joint, which helps strengthen and promote healing. The underwater treamill, or Aquapacer, is able to take 60% of the weight off of the horse’s lower legs. This is obviously a great way to strengthen and promote healing of the horse. If you place a horse on stall rest for 30 – 60 days, many horses will jump around, kick etc. out of boredom and stored up energy. This is not a good method for healing. However, when the horse is in the Aquapacer, he/she works out most of the energy, the horse is in a controlled environment and most of the weight is off of the lower leg. This is a win/win for everyone! The Aquapacer is a straight treadmill, which can then be filled with water, up to chest height for many horses. While a horse is in the aquapacer, he/she must use each of the 4 legs equally. As many horse people know, many horses rely on either their front end, or one side is much stronger. This really benefits every horse, and injured horses especially because injured horses frequently end up injuring the other legs, since they are taking most of stress while the affected limb is healing. We have seen numerous examples of this with injured as well as fit/conditioned horses. Hydrotherapy is the absolute best way to condition and rehabilitate the horse. The underwater treadmill can be used for every horse to prevent injury and keep them in top condition. See the AquaPacer in Action
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