EVERY once in a while, my job as a writer and that of an equine sports therapist is brought together through one story. In the case of The Irish Equine Rehabilitation and Fitness Centre (IERFC) in Lisburn, it is a long time since I have been so moved by the sheer passion and dedication displayed by the small team of women who run it.

Opened three years ago by Michelle Kane, this revolutionary facility for Ireland was borne from Michelle’s personal experiences seeking quality rehabilitation for her injured horses.

Michelle had seen at first-hand what good rehabilitation can do when her horse won the Down Royal League despite having had a fractured neck, six-month ataxia and a year of rehab.

The 12-stable IERFC has already seen hundreds of horses through its immaculate barn. Their purposefully affordable rates allow the facility to be a resource for all, from the Olympic horse to the pony club pet, and they have treated horses as young as nine months old.

Karen Ferris is the IERFC manager and has an air of confidence that only a lifetime in horses can bring. When I met Karen, she was in the process of the daily and forensic cleaning routine, which is as thorough as the rehab work itself.

Cleaning routine

Every inch of the clinic is utilised intelligently: there is a fresh, airy feel to the entire space. The cleaning routine is no mean feat; given that Karen is a talented jockey (she’d just won a point-to-point a few days earlier on her horse Daenerys Stormborn), her physical fitness has to be a bonus. Fully qualified in the treadmill, equine massage and rehabilitation and managing the day-to-day in the clinic, Karen also offers pre-training of racehorses.

A simple spring clean is not an option at IERFC; instead, a daily and forensic cleaning ritual lays the foundation for everything they do. With 5,000 litres of chlorine and saltwater to PH test daily, filters and tank cleaning, the daily scrubbing of stable walls, dust extraction and bedding spray, plus the physical scrubbing down of the spa unit daily, it comes as no surprise to hear that 12-plus hour days are not unusual.

Also an essential part of the team at IERFC are talented horsewoman and IERFC apprentice Amy Roberts and recent apprentice recruit Jessica Huff.

Anyone working with horses for long enough knows that it takes a team to keep them at their best, and the IERFC welcomes any dedicated team a horse may have with them or offers in-house professional services if required.

One of the most unique and impressive things about IERFC is its belief in working holistically with vets, chiropractors, physios, dentists and farriers.

The collaborative attitude ensures the best possible treatment standards for the horses, whether for rehabilitation or fitness training. Amongst the equine professionals working alongside IERFC is Henk Offereins DVM MVSc MRCVS. Henk is veterinary director of international operating company Equine Tendon, specialising in tendon injury management and prevention programmes. IERFC also has a long-standing relationship with Worthington Chiropractic and Laura Devenney, Doctor of Chiropractic, holds a weekly clinic.

Water treadmill

IERFC is unparalleled in Ireland, in that the staff are all qualified water treadmill practitioners. Coldwater aqua therapy is fast becoming an integral modality for the development and training of all equine disciplines, from show jumping to trotting and from racing to dressage.

High performance needs close attention, and Irish Olympic rider Joseph Murphy is just one example of an equestrian who understands the value of the IERFC facility.

Murphy has built regular water treadmill sessions into the fitness regime for several of his top horses, as well as salt room therapy sessions for their well-being.

Regular sessions in the water treadmill develop muscle volume and strength, up to four times faster than in-hand training, and in particular can strengthen the back muscles enormously. Balance and stability improve alongside an increase in stride length.

For injured horses, the aqua treadmill offers simultaneous cardiovascular exercise whilst repairing and strengthening tendons, ligaments and muscle strength.

The equine saltwater spa facility at IERFC is another piece of kit that enables the expert team to tailor a programme to a horse’s specific needs. The spa is a helpful tool, utilising water containing a high concentration of Epsom and pure salt, chilled between two and four degrees, which reduces inflammation and heat to an injured limb.

The water has an analgesic effect whilst also offering positive wound healing. The adjustable water depth means that it can treat multiple injuries, and the aeration works as a form of massage. The salt in the water also promotes the movement of fluid within an injured limb. The spa is a drug-free therapy and can be used for injury prevention and to increase mobility and reduce swelling in the limbs before and after competitive events and training.

Salt therapy

The knowledgeable staff at IERFC engage both systems for the most tailored rehab plan, alongside utilising the simplicities of gentle turn out, in-hand walking, and other prescribed exercises or stretching. Combining modalities and expertise ensures optimal support in a horse’s recovery, bespoke to its unique needs.

The salt therapy facility at IERFC offers natural anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antihistamine, helping horses with breathing issues, allergies or skin irritations. It works particularly well to combat sweet itch.

The horse inhales the dry, salt-enriched air deep within the lungs: the inhaled salt loosens mucus, and inflammation reduces, making more room in the airways for the animal to breathe.

For skin issues, salt therapy reduces inflammation and improves the circulation on the skin surface. Following salt therapy, horses often experience significant symptom relief. It boosts the immune system which can reduce the use of steroids and antibiotics in some cases. Salt therapy is utilised a lot in the racing industry: it is gaining momentum across disciplines, championed by the likes of showjumper John Whitaker.

IERFC also has a treatment area with solarium, turn out paddocks, sand and fibre joint-cushioning arena, and a place for clients to wait comfortably for their horses to be treated. It can be an anxious time for owners, and the team are considerate of that.

There is soon to be a dedicated 50ft lunge pen for observation and biomechanics assessment. Michelle also has an exciting piece of technology in the pipeline, a first for Ireland, which can’t be disclosed for now.

Still, as someone with a keen interest in equine health, I will be excited to reveal it to readers when the time comes. In the equine industry, it can take courage to care about the detail and commit genuinely to the time required to rehab an injured horse properly or look at an animal’s performance in enough detail to devise a successful physical path to improvement.

Michelle and her team at IERFC have the vision, expertise and heart to provide these ground-breaking facilities for all horse owners in Ireland, no matter their level.