Hydro Therapy Spa experiences - good, bad & indifferent...

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kinglouis

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Hi

Anyone used this for ligament damage? My horse pulled his high suspensory from the bone behind the knee approx 9 months ago and although he is loads sounder there is still a little way to go. My vet is suggesting turning away till the spring - argh - so I am looking into alternative therapy's to see if this helps. Horse has already had shockwave, adequan, tildron and loads of rest and walking in straightlines! Hydro therapy sounds like it may well help my boy but before spending the money I would just like to know everyone elses opinion/experiences with this treatment?
 
My boy had psd in his near hind. the vet thought it would be 6 months before he started ridden work. Shockwave was mentioned as a treatment.

Instead we spa's daily for a week, every other day for the next week, he then had a week off (due to staffing issues!!) then he was every 3 days until 8 weeks.

During this time he still went out overnight and was on the walker twice a day.

The vet gave us all clear to start ridden walk work at 8 weeks and for canter work at 12 weeks.

Vet said on a scale of mild, moderate or severe his psd was moderate.

Have also had a horse with a foreleg tendon injury who was constantly reinjuring himself at the owners yard. Once he came in and had regular spa and walker exercise he has since been given the all clear for canter work.

Another horse, strained front suspensory. The vet saw it the morning after horse had done it in field. Asked to scan 5 days later. From reaction on first day he was expecting quite a major injury. Horse went in spa every day until scan. Vet could barely find the problem.

If you decide to go ahead with spa treatment I would recommend that you have the site scanned regularly (we recommend 2 weeks) especially if exercise is being increased. I spoke to a racehorse trainer who put his horses through the spa as part of their day to day training. As a result he missed the fact that his horse had a massive tear in the tendon as the spa kept the swelling down and the horse sound.

Please pm me if you would like anymore info. Please note there are several different makes of spa's, some of which are better than others. Also the spa treatment is often only as good as the staff carryiing out the treatment.
 
I have had good results using spa treatment although my vet believes that the spa may speed up recovery but the end result will be the same. I might be wrong but I understood that the sooner you start spa treatment after the injury the better?
 
I am a big fan of spa treatment. Had quite a few injuries on our yard that vets had said a period of box rest for. Bottom line is with every one, box rest was halved! Whilst I do not believe in miracles, & their is no greater healer than time each & every horse has come back really well & not one has had a recurrence (sp)of the original injury. Though I do think that treatment is more beneficial if started asap after injury. One other thing noted is that poor hoof quality has improved dramatically during treatment. Anyone else found this?
 
i am also a fan of spa treatment and in my opiion better late than never.

i too have noticed a difference in hoof quality after being in the spa
 
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