Mousley House Farm

--- MHF Equine Therapy Centre ---

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equine Hydrotherapy Spas

 

Racings elite and a privileged few of the countries top competitive

 

riders have been able to make use and appreciate the huge benefits

                                                                                            

of cold spa treatments to their horse's health and longterm soundness.      

 

  

 

 

 

Now this treatment is available to every horse whatever the level

 

with the installation of a Panama Spa at Mousley House Farm

 

Equine Therapy and Training Centre. We installed our Panama

 

Equine Hydrotherapy Spa in autumn 2005 and since then we

 

have treated a variety of equine problems from strained and

 

bruised tendons to open wound injuries on a horse that fell on

 

a tarmac road. Since our equine spa was installed, we have

 

received an increasing amount of veterinary referrals, a sure

 

acknowledgement that there is a growing understanding of

 

the benefits of 'alternative therapy' treatments as they see the

 

positive results.

 

 

How Hydrotherapy Works

 

Salt water is chilled within the

 

spa and held at a constant

 

temperature between 2 and 4

 

degrees. 12 air jets create a

 

powerful stream of bubbles 

 

much the same as in a

 

conventional spa.

 

This is beneficial to the healing process in four ways:-

 

1.  Temperature -

 

     The very cold water reduces cellular metabolism

      thereby placing less demand and strain on the

     circulatory system for oxygen and nutrients. Blood

     vessel walls are less permeable reducing the amount

     of fluid accumulating at the sight of injury and the

     numbing effect of the cold water acts as a topical

     analgesic.  When the horse leaves the spa the rapid

     temperature change from the cold water to normal

     room temperature triggers a surge of fresh nutrient

     oxygen rich blood to the area.

 

2.     Salt concentration -

 

     The salt water acts like a poultice helping to cleanse

     wounds and draw out infection. Additionally, its salt

     concentration has been found to influence how

     effectively a wound is healed.

 

3.      Depth of water -

    

     The greater the depth of water, the greater the pressure

     applied to the swelling and the more effective the fluid

     dispersal.

 

4.    Aeration -

   

     Increased dissolved oxygen has been shown to speed

     healing. The massaging effect relaxes the horse reducing

     heart rate and therefore stress.

 

                             

When a tendon injury is suspected it is vital that swelling is reduced

so that accurate scanning and diagnosis by a veterinary surgeon

can take place. What may start as a bruise or strain to collagen fibres

can deteriorate rapidly due to the effects of the enzyme collagenase.

The action of this enzyme is reduced by the cold temperature of the

hydrotherapy spa improving the prognosis. Where swelling is allowed

to persist during the healing process new collagen fibres form cross

links rather than in alignment. This new tissue is weak and prone to

re-injury, a constant source of anxiety when bringing horses back into

training. Hydrotherapy has been shown to resolve tendon injuries not

just more quickly but with better tissue type.

 

 

Amazing results have been achieved in the healing of severe flesh

wounds and the production of proud flesh often associated with lower

leg injuries due to the poor blood supply is dramatically reduced.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regular use of hydrotherapy removes many of the stressors within

tissues before any inflammation develops.  Cold also significantly

improves surface bone density, reducing the opportunity for

bone stress related injuries. Where horses are subject to the

unnatural environment of being stabled for long periods of time,

circulation particularly within the lower limb is poor. Use of the

hydrotherapy spa helps maintain a good supply of fresh blood and

nutrients improving joint, tendon, hoof and bone health.

 

 

The Hydrotherapy Spa is a drug free treatment that has been

proven to reduce time off work, promote long term health and is a

complimentary therapy to the competitive horse as it can be used

up to and including the competition day.

 

For further information on the Equine Hydrotherapy Spa or to book

your horse in for treatment please contact us on -

01926 484798 or email us on mhf.equinecentre@tiscali.co.uk

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