Leanne O'Sullivan
Ground conditions can have a major impact on a horses' limbs and, during the summer months in Ireland, we often deal with the full spectrum of potential ground conditions.
Owners and horses go from dealing with hard ground and the associated injuries one minute, to dealing with soft ground and the potential problems it can present the next.
But what are some of the things we should be looking out for and ultimately what can we do to help?
The age-old solution to all of the above has been frequent stints of cold hosing and, in certain cases, medication and treatment prescribed by a vet. The problem with cold hosing, as hydrotherapy expert William Hayes tells us, is that "tap water during summer months is approximately 11°C, trying to take down heat and inflammation with water at this temperature would be both time-consuming and - with the new introduction of water charges - expensive.”
But what if you had access to a purpose-built equine hydrotherapy spa, where the water is cooled to 2°C?
William Hayes is the owner of the Curragh Equine Rehabilitation Centre and Hydrotherapy Spa. William comes from a long line of professional horse people and has developed a respected reputation for being a versatile and successful horseman.
Having spent six years in the Army Equitation School, competing in the international classes at the RDS on three occasions, William also trained, rode and won on his own horse at two point-to-points, as well as the La Touche Cup, at Punchestown Festival in 1993.
The Curragh Equine Rehabilitation Centre caters for a range of equine needs, including breaking, training and behavioural correction, where the focus is to ensure the horse's comfort and wellbeing at all times, through understanding, patience and knowledge. William has incorporated a dynamic aspect to the facility, a tailored equine hydrotherapy spa, which has been in operation since 2006.
HOW IT WORKS
The water used in the hydrotherapy spa is maintained at a temperature of 2°C. It is designed to simulate the sea, except that the horses are secured in a purpose-built facility incorporating many safety features, such as rubber matting on the floor and side walls. The structure itself is approximately 25ft long which allows the horse plenty of room to feel comfortable, relaxed and unrestricted whilst in the spa.
The spa holds 500 gallons of water containing 100kgs of Dead Sea salt. Epsom salt and chlorine are also added. This creates an aquatic environment that has a high concentration of salt. This type of environment provides what is known as the osmotic effect (explained in the accompanying illustration) and is therefore capable of reducing oedema (fluid build-up in the tissues of the body) and decreasing pain.
It is this unique aquatic environment that gives the spa a major advantage over routine cold hosing. The spa acts to reduce inflammation, decrease pain and clear infection. Jets are positioned at different levels within the spa to create a constant circulation of water.
The spa has been successful in treating most injuries which occur in horses' limbs including tendon injuries, inflammation, sore shins, laminitis, cuts and wounds, joint injuries and ligament strains. The temperature of the water stimulates blood flow to the horse’s legs, increasing healing power.
William recalls an instance where a horse suffered a tendon injury and, due to significant swelling, the veterinary surgeon could not perform an adequate ultrasound scan.
The horse received hydrotherapy treatment and, once the swelling began to subside, the veterinarian came back to scan the horse. Directly after a session in the spa, the vet noted an image on the scan showing tiny blood vessels pulsing due to increased blood flow.
The temperature of the water, along with the high concentration of salt, also helps kill germs and stops them from multiplying.
The spa can be hugely instrumental in effectively pinpointing the site of injury. William explains that “the best results are often seen a few hours after spa treatment. The horse’s skin will have dried and the area of injury will become quite hot to touch. Uninjured areas will remain cooler and the unaffected legs will be ice-cold”.
A hydrotherapy session lasts 35 minutes in total. It is available to horses, ponies and people, yes people! The senior Kildare GAA football team have visited the spa frequently in the past, finding it most beneficial in their post-match recovery. Both horses and humans have found the experience to be very relaxing.
The spa can be used not only as a method for managing injuries but also as a way to have a horse feeling its best prior to competition and as a therapeutic post-exercise treatment to revitalise the horse’s tired and sore legs following hunting, racing, jumping and other activities.
Depending on the horse's needs the spa can be used three-to-four times daily. The only time the spa shouldn’t be used is straight after surgery or stem cell procedures.
Ned Gowing, veterinary surgeon at Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital, is clearly a fan. "Of all the therapies developed in recent years for the treatment of injured horses, the hydrotherapy spa is in my opinion the most beneficial."
William and Fiona Hayes own the Curragh Equine Rehabilitation Centre, Ballymartin Stud Farm, Ballysax, The Curragh, Co Kildare.
Tel: 087 6178477
Web: curraghequinehydrospa.com
Why not check out Matty Tynan's natural swimming pool. Maontri has won six races under rules and you can see her here stretching her legs in the pool.