All About ... Hydrotherapy

Standing a horse in a stream was a water therapy used in the past for all types of leg problems.  Water soothes and cleanses, it draws away inflammation and infection.  

Nowadays there are several other ways of treating injuries using water.  These each use one or all of the properties of water to help horses recover from injury:- 

·         Buoyancy - eliminates most of the force of gravity.

·         Hydrostatic pressure - is an upwards pressure which is exerted on the body when in water, the depth and density of the water affects the pressure.

·         Cohesion - water gives an equal resistance in every direction, this is only altered when the body moves through water.

Cold Spa Hydrotherapy

Used to treat lower leg inflammation associated with injuries. The cold water (2° to  4° C)takes heat and inflammation out of the limbs.  The salt in the water increases the density of the water, therefore increasing the pressure, this helps to disperse fluid in the limbs. The salt water when cold also provides some pain relief and the water is aerated which offers a massaging effect.   

This type of therapy is usually applied in a large 'container' where the horse will stand.  There are doors at either end of the container for the horse to be walked in and out.  Once the doors are closed and sealed the container is slowly filled with water.  A 'session' usually lasts about 15 minutes.

Used for: 

·         Laminitis

·         Tendonitis (injury to the superficial digital flexor tendon, deep digital flexor tendons and check ligaments)

·         Desmitis (strain or tearing of the suspensory ligament)

·         Arthritis

·         Shin splints

·         Bursitis/synovitis (swollen joints, windgalls)

·         Wounds and skin infections

·         Over reaches, nail prick

·         Abscesses, bruises, corns

·         Thrush

 

Water Treadmills

These help to build muscle whilst putting less stress on the front legs.  It is low intensity so can be used for horses recovering from injury as they return to work.  The horse has to step further underneath with the hind legs which helps to develop the hindquarters.  This is basically a treadmill in a container with water!  The water can be of varying depth and the speed of the treadmill can be varied according to the horse.

Hosing

This is a type of therapy you can easily do at home.  Aiming the hose just above an injury will wash away dirt but also slow down the inflammation process, reduce the swelling and the pain.  The action of the water running down the leg also gives a massaging effect.

Used for:-

·         Wounds

·         Tendonitis (injury to the superficial digital flexor tendon, deep digital flexor tendons and check ligaments)

·         Desmitis (strain or tearing of the suspensory ligament)

·         Shin splints

·         Bursitis/synovitis (swollen joints, windgalls)

Riding in the sea will obviously have similar effects to the Cold Spa Hydrotherapy, if you are lucky enough to be close to a beach which allows this!

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Until next time!

Jo