Equine Hydrotherapy

Although there are many positive results from the use of Hydrotherapy there are also many reasons as to why some horses should not use hydrotherapy to aid their rehabilitation.

 

It is highly recommended that if a horse has a back injury , it should not enter the swimming pool, this is because there is a massive increase in strain throughout the swim which is more than likely to cause further damage to the horses back. The horses back hollows during a swim, ideally we need the horses muscles to stretch over the spine; this can be achieved by using the Aqua Treadmill. Another contraindication for swimming horses is if the equine has a heart condition they should not be swam, this is because the pool increases the likelihood of a heart attack on the horse.

 

It is emphasised that each horse who enters the pool wears a heart monitor at all times so that their heart rate can be monitored throughout the exercise.

 

Veterinary surgeons and horse owners should avoid using the swimming pool for their horses if the horse has any of the following conditions:

• Acute joint inflammation

• Skin infections

• Open wounds

• Upper limb lameness

• Respiratory disease

• Muscle inflammation

(The Horse, 2012)

 

"Proper diagnosis of the condition, having properly trained personnel, acclimation of the horse, and having specific treatment protocols are necessary for optimum results." ( Christy.M.West, The Horse,2012)