Principles and Application of Hydrotherapy for Equine Athletes.
Abstract: Hydrotherapy has become a key element within equine rehabilitation protocols and is used to address range of motion, proprioception, strength, neuromotor control, pain, and inflammation. Various forms of hydrotherapy can be tailored to the individual's injury and the expected return to athletic performance. This article describes the mechanisms of action of hydrotherapies and potential use in the clinical management of equine musculoskeletal injuries.
Published by Elsevier Inc.
Publication Date: 2016-02-19 PubMed ID: 26898962DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2015.12.008Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research paper discusses the benefits of hydrotherapy in <a href="/equine-rehabilitation-guide/" title="equine rehabilitation and how it can be personalized to treat specific injuries. It also details how different types of hydrotherapy work and their potential roles in the clinical management of musculoskeletal injuries in horses.
Introduction
This research paper is based on the emerging significance of hydrotherapy in equine rehabilitation. Hydrotherapy, as a method of treatment, is gaining prominence due to its effectiveness in dealing with range of motion, proprioception, strength, neuromotor control issues, pain, and inflammation in horses. Different hydrotherapy programs can be customized to suit a particular injury condition and the anticipated timeline for the horse to return to its athletic performance.
Mechanism of Hydrotherapies
- The study investigates the underlying principles of the effectiveness of various hydrotherapies, detailing how they function to relieve the symptoms of the ailment.
- The hydrotherapy methods’ mechanisms are mapped to their contribution towards addressing range of motion, proprioception, strength, neuromotor control issues, pain, and inflammation in horses.
Application in Clinical Management
- The research article delves into the potential applications of hydrotherapy in the clinical management of musculoskeletal injuries in equine athletes.
- It provides insights into how hydrotherapy can be leveraged as a therapeutic strategy to speed recovery and improve the horse’s rehabilitation process.
Therapeutic Approach Tailoring
- The paper emphasizes the importance of creating a personalized therapeutic approach for each equine athlete.
- It discusses how differing forms of hydrotherapy can be adjusted according to the specifics of the individual’s injury, and the expected return to athletic performance, to optimize the results.
Cite This Article
APA
King MR.
(2016).
Principles and Application of Hydrotherapy for Equine Athletes.
Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract, 32(1), 115-126.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cveq.2015.12.008 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 300 west drake street, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA. Electronic address: Melissa.king@colostate.edu.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Hydrotherapy / methods
- Hydrotherapy / veterinary
- Musculoskeletal Diseases / rehabilitation
- Musculoskeletal Diseases / veterinary
- Pain Management / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 12 times.- Lotan M, Weiss M. Balance and Coordination Improvements in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Resulting from a Hydrotherapy Intervention. Children (Basel) 2026 Jan 8;13(1).
- Pécresse B, Moiroud C, Hanne-Poujade S, Hatrisse C, De Azevedo E, Coudry V, Jacquet S, Audigié F, Chateau H. Group and Individual Changes in Spinal Mobility During a 12-Week Rehabilitation Program Including Swimming in Horses with Axial Musculoskeletal Lesions. Animals (Basel) 2025 Dec 30;16(1).
- Gaulmin P, Marin F, Moiroud C, Beaumont A, Jacquet S, De Azevedo E, Martin P, Audigié F, Chateau H, Giraudet C. Description and Analysis of Horse Swimming Strategies in a U-Shaped Pool. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jan 13;15(2).
- Reis IL, Lopes B, Sousa P, Sousa AC, Caseiro AR, Mendonça CM, Santos JM, Atayde LM, Alvites RD, Maurício AC. Equine Musculoskeletal Pathologies: Clinical Approaches and Therapeutical Perspectives-A Review. Vet Sci 2024 Apr 26;11(5).
- Giraudet C, Moiroud C, Beaumont A, Gaulmin P, Hatrisse C, Azevedo E, Denoix JM, Ben Mansour K, Martin P, Audigié F, Chateau H, Marin F. Development of a Methodology for Low-Cost 3D Underwater Motion Capture: Application to the Biomechanics of Horse Swimming. Sensors (Basel) 2023 Oct 30;23(21).
- Naqvi WM, Mishra G, Pashine AA, Arora SP, Gupta S, Goyal C, Varma AR, Quazi Z, Muthukrishnan R, Kumar Kandakurti P, Umate L. A protocol for the development of PhyCaRe: An extension of the CARE guideline for physiotherapy using the Delphi method. F1000Res 2023;12:838.
- Xu H, Takashi E, Liang J, Chen Y, Yuan Y, Fan J. Effect of Heat Shock Preconditioning on Pressure Injury Prevention via Hsp27 Upregulation in Rat Models. Int J Mol Sci 2022 Aug 11;23(16).
- Santosuosso E, Leguillette R, Vinardell T, Filho S, Massie S, McCrae P, Johnson S, Rolian C, David F. Kinematic Analysis During Straight Line Free Swimming in Horses: Part 2 - Hindlimbs. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:761500.
- Santosuosso E, Leguillette R, Vinardell T, Filho S, Massie S, McCrae P, Johnson S, Rolian C, David F. Kinematic Analysis During Straight Line Free Swimming in Horses: Part 1 - Forelimbs. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:752375.
- Nankervis K, Tranquille C, McCrae P, York J, Lashley M, Baumann M, King M, Sykes E, Lambourn J, Miskimmin KA, Allen D, van Mol E, Brooks S, Willingham T, Lacey S, Hardy V, Ellis J, Murray R. Consensus for the General Use of Equine Water Treadmills for Healthy Horses. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jan 26;11(2).
- Saitua A, Becero M, Argüelles D, Castejón-Riber C, Sánchez de Medina A, Satué K, Muñoz A. Combined Effects of Water Depth and Velocity on the Accelerometric Parameters Measured in Horses Exercised on a Water Treadmill. Animals (Basel) 2020 Feb 3;10(2).
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