Alternative Therapies

sport horse medicine, equine rehabilitation, equine acupuncture, uc davis veterinary hospital

Equine sports medicine and rehabilitation is a comparatively new veterinary specialty. Sarah le Jeune, DVM, DACVS, DECVS, DACVSMR, certified equine acupuncturist, and Jessica Morgan, DVM, PhD, DACVSMR, both specialty clinicians at the UC Davis veterinary hospital, provided some insights into this topic.

carrot exercises for horses, exercise therapy for horses, equine rehabilitation

Immobilization or stall rest is sometimes necessary for a horse's injury to heal, especially in cases of severe tissue damage (such as tendon or ligament damage and fractures), but other times keeping horses moving is actually a better approach. The key is choosing the right exercise for the type and location of the injury. We cannot just tell horses, for example, to engage their core. We have to design exercises that achieve the desired result.

equine hydrotherapy, equine rehabilitation, swimming pools for horses, underwater treadmills for horses, equine spas

Hydrotherapy, the use of water to treat medical conditions, was first practiced by ancient Egyptians, and pools, saunas, baths, and tanks have historically been used to treat health concerns from arthritis to inulcers. Muscles have to work harder to move in water than on land, while the buoyancy of water reduces weight-bearing on bones, joints, and soft tissues, and the pressure exerted by water reduces swelling and inflammation.

electrotherapy for horses, electrical stimulation horses, tens horses, pemf horses, laser therapy for horses, ultrasound for horses, cold laser therapy for horses

Electrotherapy, directing small currents of electricity through the skin for medical treatment, has been widely used in human sports medicine and rehabilitation to treat injuries and optimize performance. Various modalities have made their way into sport horse medicine and rehabilitation. Electrotherapies are built around energy sources that range from acoustics to vibrations.

walking workouts horse, jec ballou horse fitness, keeping horse fit, groundwork horse, conditioning exercises horse, equine therapeutic exercises horse

When a horse suffers an injury, it’s essential to allow for a brief time of rest to aid in recovery. However, in many cases, movement itself can be a form of therapy. Not all exercise negatively impacts a horse's health—on the contrary, it can often enhance overall well-being. Therefore, restricting movement should only be considered in extreme situations.

alternative treatments horse, laws for farriers canada, laws for equine massage, equine chiropractors, horse veterinary associations, injuries horses, horse castration

In Canada, professionals who offer equine massage, equine chiropractic, farriery, and equine homeopathy who are not veterinarians may unintentionally be practicing veterinary medicine, which could be against provincial laws. There is a lack of oversight due to few regulations governing the training, certification, and qualifications of these types of service providers. Moreover, provincial veterinary associations typically only intervene when a complaint is filed by a horse owner. As a result, individuals can easily market themselves as qualified to offer these services, even without the necessary expertise, leaving vulnerable horse owners to "learn the hard way" when choosing a provider.

Herbs for Horses, Probio Plus horse supplement, probiotics for horses, gut health in horses, supplements for your horse, prebiotics for horses

Born from a vision of better supplements for your horse. We humans are a peculiar bunch. As creatures of habit (and not always good habits), we frequently engage in behaviours that we think are good for us. For instance, I take a daily multivitamin without really knowing if or how they actually work.

rehabilitation for horses, equine rehab, endurance equine, hill top arena and spa, equivibe, undeniable equine services, bemer horse products, therapies for injured horse

In recent years, a growing number of facilities specializing in rehabilitation and fitness for injured horses have emerged in Western Canada. These centres cater to horses in need of recovery or improved fitness, offering a range of treatments tailored to individual needs. Services vary depending on the business, with options like treadmills, swimming pools, exercise equipment, saltwater baths, and solariums commonly available. Many centres also provide additional offerings such as bodywork, nebulizer treatments, and retail products.

horse rider injuries, accident-prone horse rider, alexa linton horse person, how to help an injured horse rider

Anyone who has worked with horses knows a few universal truths: Horses get injured. Riders get injured. Horses sometimes injure riders, and riders can accidentally hurt their horses.

regenerative therapy equines, equine musculoskeletal disease, abps horses, dechra equine, provet apc, platelet rich plastma horses, therapy for lame horse

Musculoskeletal disease is a widespread problem, especially in performance horses. Fortunately, it does not have to be a career-ending disease. Regenerative therapies are revolutionizing equine health care, offering versatile solutions for a wide range of conditions. From promoting tissue regeneration to supporting overall health, these cutting-edge treatments are transforming the way we care for our horses.

Pages