When horses need to take part in physical therapy, more and more people are using water therapy to rehabilitate them.
Hydrotherapy, as it’s sometimes called, can be quite beneficial to the horse. If the water is in a controlled environment, such as a pool, the temperature can be altered so as to treat certain areas. The force of the water can offer a massaging effect. And we all know that water offers buoyancy and resistance to muscle groups, which can greatly facilitate healing.
Let’s take a look at some of the unique ways water can be incorporated into your horse’s rehab routine, or possibly even a regular habit so as to increase the value of his exercise.
Water’s benefits
Time in the water can help a horse to get an excellent cardiovascular and muscular workout. It helps horses with ligament issues recover from injury because it reduces the weight they’d normally put on their bodies due to being partially supported by the water. Even if you don’t live by a large body of water, some high-tech facilities offer underwater treadmills which help a horse work back from injuries.
Aiding injuries
If pool therapy is practical for your horse, some veterinarians prescribe Epsom salt as part of the rehab program. It can be a great way to assist in reducing inflammation, not to mention reducing body temperature and swelling. Cold and warm water works too, but cold is particularly useful with inflammation. Sometimes cold water hosing is used when pools aren’t available, but that water may not be cold enough and the water pressure isn’t always consistent. Some people fill Styrofoam cups with water, freeze them, and then use the ice to massage a certain area. Always be careful around wounds, as water pressure can tear it open.
Rehab
Horse rehab is a tricky game, because the horse’s injury, discipline and psyche will determine what kind of therapy is used in water rehab. With underwater treadmills, the full-body exercise helps horses get back their full range of motion and increase stride. The smoother, more-controlled movement in the water is arguably better than walking on the ground, and it’s more fun.
If your horse hasn’t encountered water, you might be surprised to learn that horses are fairly relaxed in the water. That’s right, they handle water and swimming decently, so don’t hesitate to explore your options should you think your horse could benefit from a little H2O.
