Horses swimming in the pool facilities | NETC
Like 3 Dislike 0 Published on 4 Mar 2014
Video footage and photographs of horses in the pool facilities at the Northern Equine Therapy Centre.
For more information, have a look at our links:
Website | http://www.northernequinetherapy.co.uk/
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/northernequinetherapy?fref=ts
The Hydrotherapy Pool
We have chosen a circular pool in preference to a straight one to allow the horse to do a longer piece of continuous work to settle down and to build up stamina, rather than having to come out at each end to turn around.
UNLIKE A SPA UNIT, THE POOL ALLOWS TOTAL NON WEIGHT BEARING EXERCISE.
Swimming is very strenuous. We would estimate that one circuit of our pool is the equivalent to one furlong at a canter although this depends on the fitness and physique of the individual animal.
Each horse's work varies according to it's level of fitness, the type of work it does, whether the animal has a injury or is swimming to replace other work and also, perhaps most importantly, how easily the horse swims.
Dogs also benefit from swimming. Greyhounds and show dogs may be swum in a controlled situation and muscle loss due to injuries may be built up safely and without further damage.
The Solarium
The Solarium contains infra red and ultra violet lights. It can be used after swimming to dry the horse off whilst maintaining a constant body temperature. This prevents after exercise chilling and also helps the muscles to relax.
It can also be used as a treatment on its own. The ultra violet rays encourage healthy bone formation and give the animal a feeling of well being. The infrared improves blood circulation to injured parts, thereby speeding up the healing process.
Horses can be washed after muddy exercise and put to bed dry and relaxed. Most horses enjoy the solarium and some even go to sleep!