Keep Your Horse Performing at Its Best
Overall, hydrotherapy is a highly effective and beneficial form of exercise for horses. Not only does it provide a low-impact workout that is gentle on the joints, but it also offers a range of therapeutic benefits that can aid in injury recovery and improve overall fitness.
By adjusting the water level and resistance, trainers can tailor the workout to each horse's individual needs. Additionally, the buoyancy of the water helps to reduce concussion and impact on the lower limbs, while increasing muscle activity.
Water pressure can also help to reduce swelling and stimulate circulation, while cold water can help to alleviate pain.
Whether used as part of a rehab program or as a regular training tool, hydrotherapy is an excellent way to keep horses healthy, fit, and performing at their best.
Benefits of Aquatic Therapy For Horses
Some of the benefits of aquatic therapy for horses are:
- Improves performance
- Encourages soft tissue mobilization
- Develops core strength
- Can reduce recovery time
- Improves muscle tone and strength
- Reduces weight bearing by 40-60%
- Improves length of stride
- Reduces concussion
- Improves fitness and stamina
- Improves flexibility and suppleness
- Promotes muscle development
- Encourages lateral flexion of the back
Why Your Horse Might Need Aquatic Therapy
Swimming is a moderate cardiovascular exercise that reduces strain on musculoskeletal structures. This make it popular among sport horse trainers for improving cardiovascular fitness and hindlimb muscle power. It also eliminates the stress on other soft tissues that land-based exercise imposes.
The reasons for your horse to follow a hydrotherapy-based rehabilitation program are varied, but can include tendon and ligament injuries, back injuries, joint injuries, and returning to fitness after a long break.
If our vets feel hydrotherapy may help, we will recommend a suitable program.