Equine Therapy for Horses

Equine sports or physical therapists work directly with veterinarians to provide follow-up treatments that aid in the healing of an injured horse, much like sports therapists do for human athletes. The field of equine physical therapy is rapidly growing with an abundance of tools and techniques at their disposal for rehabilitating injured animals.

  1. Equine Therapy

    • Equine therapy aids in the healing of injured horses.

      Equine therapy has become a rapidly evolving field over the last 10 years. Equine physical therapists utilize tools such as heat, ice, exercise, laser, ultrasound, massage, electrical stimulation and magnetic fields as a drug-free alternative means of treatment. Typically, an equine therapist works by referral from a veterinarian or veterinary surgeon after a full evaluation has been made. The accuracy of the veterinary diagnosis contributes directly to the success of the therapist's treatment.

    Heat Therapy

    • A horse will often shift weight from an injured leg onto another, causing further damage.

      Heat plays a vital role in rehabilitation of chronic injuries, which are those that persist or develop over time. When a horse is injured in the leg for instance, it will frequently compensate by shifting its weight off the injured leg and onto another. This results in straining the uninjured leg, often to the point of additional strain. When a horse makes a compensatory change such as this it will eventually cause muscle atrophy or even lameness from neglecting use of the injured leg. Heat therapy can greatly benefit injuries caused by arthritis, bursitis, muscle soreness, tendinitis, adhesive capsulitis or hoof abscesses. Heat therapy increases the metabolic activity in muscle cells, increases blood flow, reduces joint stiffness, relaxes muscle fibers and provides pain relief.

    Cold Therapy

    • Accomplished horsemen attest to the benefits of turning horses with leg problems out into deep snow.

      Cold therapy is often used to reduce swelling and pain in acute injuries. Cryotherapy, an effective cold therapy, can be applied in the form of ice cubes, ice chips, ice packs, bandages soaked in crushed ice or ice cup massage. Ice massage is used for muscle pain, severe bruising, swelling and acute tendinitis. The benefits of cold therapy include pain relief, constriction of capillaries and reduction of inflammation.

    Ultrasound Therapy

    • Ultrasound is a form of acoustic energy.

      Ultrasound therapy acts as a deep tissue-heating agent used to treat musculo-skeletal injuries. Ultrasound treatments can produce deep temperature changes in the underlying muscles and tendons without heating the skin to excess. Ultrasound treatments also deliver nonthermal effects by making physiological tissue changes unassociated with heat. The combination of deep heat and nonthermal effects makes this unique treatment a rather versatile therapy. Because ultrasound therapy softens scar tissue and provides pain relief, it is often used for treatment of hoof wall abscesses, among other conditions.

    Magnetic Therapy

    • Magnetic therapy is believed to relieve pain by increasing circulation.

      Magnetic therapy is an alternative therapy involving the use of static magnetic fields. The benefits of magnetic therapy include pain relief, increased blood flow, behavior improvement and bone repair. Magnetic therapy has also been proven to affect mood, behavior and memory. It is commonly used for treatment of hoof problems, tendonitis, bone fractures and even poor behavior.

    Electrical Stimulation Therapy

    • Electrodes are applied to the skin to stimulate surface nerves.

      Electrical stimulation is used for pain reduction, increasing circulation and promoting healing. In electrical stimulation, electrodes are applied to the skin to deliver intermittent, low-voltage stimulation to the surface nerves. Doing so blocks pain signals and causes endorphins to be released. There are no side effects from electrical stimulation therapy, though benefits include reduction in soreness and improved muscle strength. Conditions commonly addressed with electrical stimulation therapy include muscle atrophy, laminitis, bucked shins and tendinitis.