Physical therapy for
horses is a rapidly evolving field. Over the past ten years there has been
much research published on the use of physical therapy on horses. The
treatments used for drug-free rehabilitation include ice, heat,
exercise, massage, lasers, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and
magnetic fields.
The human sports medicine specialist works by
referral from a physician. Similarly the equine sport therapist must work
in close co-operation with the veterinarian. A thorough veterinary
evaluation should precede the use of any therapeutic machine or procedure.
The successful outcome of physical therapy is dependent on the accuracy of
the diagnosis. Input from the rider and trainer is also of great value.
When applying the tools and techniques of physical therapy to horses, clear
goals must be established as follows:
- Reduce pain
- Restore range of motion
- Restore strength
- Prevent injury
Pain Reduction
This can mean a reduction in the amount of
medication necessary for pain relief or it can mean pain control
solely through the use of the therapeutic modality. We need to be able to
select the most appropriate technique and modality for the situation.
Restore Range of Motion
Restoration of complete range of movement of a
joint. The pain of injury or surgery often leaves a joint immobile. Over a
period of time this immobility results in contractions in the soft tissue
around the joint. Shortening and stiffening of these structures will cause
immobility long after the pain is gone. Inactivity or box-rest can lead to
a loss of function as muscles atrophy and adhesions form in the injured
area. Manual stretching exercises can reduce the loss of function if box
rest is essential.
Stretching exercises should be an essential part
of all rehabilitation work to elongate the connective and contractile
tissues and avoid contractures as the horse guards the injured part
through recovery. If a program of flexibility exercises is begun
immediately after surgery or injury normal range of movement can be
maintained.
Restore strength
After injury a body part will require some rest
in order to repair itself. Unfortunately this rest leads to disuse atrophy
in the surrounding musculature. Weakened muscles are vulnerable to injury
themselves and they set the stage for re-injury when there is a return to
activity.
Injury prevention
This is a rapidly growing area in equine sports
medicine, there is still much to learn about how to optimally
condition the horse for his work or sport. It is important to be
aware or discover injury while it is most readily treatable. Many
therapies and modalities are non-invasive in nature and are most effective
in the early stages of the injury process. Once a horse is visibly lame an
on-going process must be reversed. Rehabilitation is a much more
challenging task at this stage.
