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Equine Sports Therapy Lecture
by
Mimi Porter, Equine Therapy, Inc.
Therapeutic
modalities in the treatment and rehabilitation of equine injuries
offer a gentle, drug-free alternative to traditional treatment
methods of horse injuries or can work in symbiosis with them.
The
three objectives of Equine Therapy in an effective injury treatment
program are:
Pain
reduction or management
Return
of full range of movement to the injured part of the horse’s body
Maintenance
or perhaps improvement of balanced strength through the full range
of movement
Injury
rehabilitation goes through three characteristic phases:
The
Inflammatory
Phase
after an injury is necessary, but should be kept short, since the
amount of initial swelling equals the rehabilitation time needed.
Rest, ice, and compression limit the bleeding that always occurs with
injury. Electrical currents (TENS therapy) are effective for pain
reduction in the acute phase. Therapeutic ultrasound facilitates
healing in the acute phase. Low power photon lasers are effective in
pain control and to stimulate natural debriment.
The
goals of Equine Therapy in the Inflammatory Phase are the control of
swelling, pain control, and the start of active and passive range of
motion exercises.
In
the Repair
Phase,
photon therapy can have an astonishing effect on the growth
stimulation of fibroblasts, collagen cells and capillaries to develop
granulation tissue. Numerous studies show that tissue treated with
laser has denser collagen fibers that are thicker, better arranged,
and more continuous with existing collagen fibers than non treated
tissue. Mimi showed some terrific examples of rehabilitated injuries.
Photon therapy can also be very effective to increase
microcirculation in the hoof and reduce the bounding pulse in
laminitic horses. Even bone cells respond to very low level, high
frequency Ultrasound signals during fracture repair.
In
the Maturation
Phase
the Equine Therapist is focusing on motion. Modalities that increase
the intramuscular temperature make this task easier. Hot packs can
raise the intramuscular temperature by about 0.8 degree Celsius.
Ultrasound in comparison can raise the temperature in 10 minutes by 4
degree Celsius. Ultrasound can also help to administer certain
medications through the horse’s skin through phonophoresis.
However, the main focus is on improvement in function through active
and passive stretching exercises to improve the elastic component of
muscle and peri-articular tissue. These exercises:
Increase
joint range of motion
Increase
functional length of muscles
Improve
performance efficiency
Decrease
incidence of new injury
If surgery is
necessary, astute post operative care makes the difference for a
successful surgical outcome. Also, there is a high risk of horses
being re-injured, because of lack of conditioning during down time.
The underwater treadmill (AquaPacer) is the primary reconditioning
tool for injury rehabilitation.
Orange
Clover Farms’ Equine Therapy and Training Center offers
a place for sport horses to recover from injuries or surgeries while
receiving further conditioning and training. Equine patients
receive a variety of rehabilitative therapies and treatments in our
full service boarding facility per veterinary recommendation. We are
one of the first facilities in the country to offer the use of an
Equine Underwater Treadmill in addition to other alternative
therapies. Our goal is a synergetic relationship between horse
owners, veterinarians, and therapists for the benefit of the equine
athlete. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you
may have or to arrange a personalized tour of our facility. Please
let us know if you would like to be on our mailing list for clinic
and seminar invitations.
We
are look forward to seeing you at our next seminar or clinic!
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