Rehab - using aqua therapy

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Millertime

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Does anyone have experience or views on using equine swimming as a 'safe' way to rehab a horse with ligament issues following box rest?

My vets out tomorrow so I'm going to ask him, but thought I might to gather some other opinions first in case he laughs at me!
 
Its supposed to be very good for horses as it takes the weight off their limbs whilst strengthening and toning them. Never tried it but read a lot about the benefits. The sea is very good for the same reasons and I believe that the salt in the water, especially as its so concentrated, is really good for horses.
 
Not with horses I'm afraid but my Golden Retriever, who has severe hip dysplasia goes regularly and its improved her no end!! She can now walk quite long distances and has lost a shed load of weight.
I have heard that sea water is brilliant for horses too - in fact we're considering taking my mare to the beach so she can go and stand in the sea!!

If it works anywhere near as much as it has for my pooch, go for it no doubt!!
 
WE don't have a pool but my worry would be (and I stress that I am not a vet so would always recommend that you check with them) the shape a horse makes when it swims.

When we ask a horse to work properly you ask it to create a n shape (bascule) in its back. ie the hocks come under and 'sit' and the back comes up beneath you whilst still swinging. When you swim a horse it works in a u shape. So rather than helping with the top line it develops the muscle beneath the neck.

You don't mention which ligament is damaged but injuries of ligaments/tendons in the hind legs can be very closely related to damage to the Sacroilliac area.

So when rehabbing a horse with a ligament injury I would want to be building up the work slowly on different surfaces (starting with hard, level and non slip) but making sure that the horse was using its back correctly so that it wasn't compensating in either the hind limb or the back for a problem in either the hindlimb or the back.

So, as you have already mentioned I would have a chat with your vet and it may be that the swimming could be incorporated into a programme at some point.

Good luck.
 
I've had first hand experience of spa therapy although it was simply the spa rather than swimming. I've seen success with front suspensory ligament problems and I'm sure your vet will be happy to talk through the different options depending on injury. Good luck :)
 
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