Therapy products

PHYSIOTHERAPISTS DO A SUPER JOB KEEPING OUR DRESSAGE HORSES SUPPLE AND COMFORTABLE, SO WHAT THERAPIES DO THEY USE AND RECOMMEND? STEPHANIE BATEMAN FINDS OUT.

We all know how good it feels when you’ve just been loosened up by your physiotherapist, and we’d like to think it’s the same for our horses. So, how can riders maintain that suppleness between sessions?

Veterinary physiotherapist (PGDip) Natalie Bell advocates the use of Niagara Equissage Pulse between her sessions.

“I often recommend the Equissage Pulse between physiotherapy sessions for a variety of reasons,” she says. “It can aid in a number of conditions as well as help to maintain a healthy musculoskeletal system by increasing circulation and reducing muscle tension. In doing this, it can aid in increasing joint range of motion and stride length.”

Natalie recommends sessions with the Equissage, which delivers cycloidal (three-way) vibrations to the whole body via a back pad or hand held unit, before exercise, to aid with warming up soft tissues and reducing muscle tension. It can also be used post exercise, to aid in the reduction of toxins and reduce tension in muscles.

“I have yet to use it on a horse that doesn’t relax fully into the session,” she says. “Riders comment how relaxed the horses are afterwards, and how well they perform subsequently.”

ABOVE: VIBRATION THERAPY INCREASES CIRCULATION AND REDUCES MUSCLE TENSION. BELOW: A RANGE OF THERAPIES ARE AVAILABLE TO KEEP YOUR HORSE IN TOP CONDITION BETWEEN PHYSIOTHERAPY TREATMENTS.

Ensuring our horses are su ciently warmed up before exercise is essential to preventing injury. Veterinary Physiotherapist Hannah Hartop of Vet Physio UK, advocates the use of heat to help.

“As well as various stretching and dynamic exercises, keeping the muscles warm using hot water bottles, exercise sheets and heat pads, is one of my key pieces of advice,” says Hannah. “To radiate heat evenly into the tissues can be tough, which is why I suggest the Catago FIR (Far Infrared Radiation)-Tech backwarmer.”

The heat pad covers the caudal wither/thoracic spine and lumbo-sacral region which are vitally important to locomotion. I use it fi rstly to warm the tissues up prior to a treatment, using the ‘preheating’ setting which creates relaxation through the tissues that allows me to palpate deeper into the muscle. Secondly, I use it as part of a warm up and warm down. The horses feel more supple during their ridden sessions.”

The FIR-Tech pad radiates heat through the tissues from the wither to the sacroiliac region leading to long term eff ects in tissue healing.

RIGHT: FIR (FAR INFRARED RADIATION) CAN BE USED TO WARM TISSUES BEFORE A TREATMENT OR WORK.

Our physios can only do so much when it comes to developing our horse’s fi tness and way of going. The rest comes down to good training, says Dr Gillian Tabor, chartered physiotherapist.

“I always advise my clients to invest in their training and get help with planning a good exercise programme,” she says. “If people want to spend their money on products, then I suggest they invest in the Equiband System.”

Equiband is a saddle pad with two elastic resistance bands; one that goes behind the hind quarters and one that runs under the belly. lastic is not fi ed so it can’t force or restrict movement,” explains Gillian. “It provides a sensory input through the hair and skin into the underlying muscle. The idea is that this changes the movement pattern to improve postural control and the quality of motion.” big benefi t of the system is that is can be used during both ground and ridden work. he other benefi t is that it’s not attached to the bit so there’s no tugging and pulling on the mouth,” says Gillian. “Research shows that after four weeks, the Equiband reduced side to side spinal movement and increased up and down movement, increasing the dynamic stability. We want the horse to pick itself up and engage the hindlimb.”

LEFT: THE EQUIBAND PROVIDES A SENSORY INPUT WHICH CHANGES THE HORSE’S MOVEMENT PATTERN TO IMPROVE POSTURAL CONTROL.

When training our dressage horses, we place load and strain on joints and structures which, over time, increases the risk of injury. But what if there was a way of exercising them without the added load? ater treadmill e ercise has many potential benefits, including increasing the range of movement of lower limbs, increasing lumbar fle ion and decreasing impact shoc .

“Water treadmills provide straight line, unridden, controlled exercise,” explains Dr Kathryn Nankervis, Associate Professor and Equestrian Performance Research Centre Lead at Hartpury University. “Clients tell us they often see more expression in the medium and extended gaits, and the research now shows that it has benefits for the development of hind uarter and lumbosacral muscle when used regularly over time.

“Think of a water treadmill exercise session as equivalent to a challenging ground schooling session,” says Kathryn. “It is also one less session carrying a rider, in the arena, repeating all the movements that contribute to wear and tear.”

Riders utilise the water treadmill as part of their rehabilitation and competition programme.

“Horses are usually on the treadmill for around 15minutes,” says Kathryn. “Some use it once or twice a week for 6-10 weeks in the lead up to a competition to encourage that extra core and back strength and develop the cadence and stride length.

ABOVE: WATER TREADMILLS PROVIDE STRAIGHT LINE, UNRIDDEN CONTROLLED EXERCISE. ABOVE: RADIOFREQUENCY THERAPY IS ONE FOR THE THERAPISTS THEMSELVES, BUT CAN BE USEFUL IN BOOSTING BLOOD FLOW TO AID HEALING.

Hannah Ashton BSc, Veterinary Physiotherapist at Cotswold Horse and Hound Physiotherapy uses INDIBA, an electromagnetic radiofrequency medical device.

“In dressage, there is greater demand on the lower back and hind limbs,” explains Hannah. “For that reason, we often find ourselves treating lumbar, sacroiliac, hamstring, hock and suspensory issues. We know INDIBA can reach the necessary depths to affect the deeper muscle groups and joints and as such our clients really feel the difference.

INDIBA works by an electromagnetic radiofrequency current, set specifically to 448kHz, passing into the body via an electrode held by the therapist and leaving the body via a return plate on the horse’s sternum. This is a closed circuit which gives the therapist some influence over the direction and depth of the current.

“INDIBA treatment has many influences on the body’s cells and blood flow, e plains Hannah. “Biostimulation improves the health and nutrition of cells. Vascularisation improves blood flow, o ygenation and drainage of cells, and hyperactivation helps to remove to ins, counteracting fibrosis and promoting tissue repair.” ny horse can benefit from INDIBA, particularly those recovering from injury.

“I have been delighted with the response from vets upon re-examination after a course of treatment,” says Hannah. “Horses previously given a 50/50 prognosis are returning to competition at the level before injury had occurred.”

The device can only be supplied to vets and fully trained therapists (Osteopaths, Chiropractors, Physiotherapists).

Worcestershire-based international dressage rider and trainer Kate Cowell uses the Epiony pad on her horses between physio sessions. “It really helps my horses’ well-being both physically and mentally they feel more relaxed, supple and straight,” explains Kate. “It runs on a rechargeable 12v battery so I can take it to shows.”

Kate uses the Epiony mainly on her horses’ lumbar region.

“It has several heat settings up to 48deg,” she says. “Heat therapy is said to dilate the blood vessels of the muscles, increasing the flow of oxygenated blood which helps heal damaged tissue and eliminate CO2 and metabolic waste. Pre-warmed muscles reduce the risk of injury, ease stiffness and increase flexibility.”

It has also been great for Kate’s cold-backed youngsters who are saddle-sensitive.

“Admittedly I also use it on my own back during the winter after work, its heaven!”

RIGHT: KATE COWELL FINDS THE EPIONY HEAT PAD USEFUL FOR HER HORSES’ – AND HER OWN – BACKS.

PRODUCT WATCH

EQUISSAGE is easy-to-use and scientifi cally proven to aid both horse and rider. It uses the same technology as that used in spinal and horse and rider. It uses the same technology as that used in spinal and rehabilitation units across the NHS to offer medical grade versatile therapy. rehabilitation units across the NHS to offer medical grade versatile therapy. It increases circulation and localised blood fl ow stimulating fresh, nutrient It increases circulation and localised blood fl ow stimulating fresh, nutrient and oxygen rich blood to areas needing repair. Aids improved lymphatic and oxygen rich blood to areas needing repair. Aids improved lymphatic drainage to help fl ush out toxins to support speedier effective recovery. drainage to help fl ush out toxins to support speedier effective recovery.

RRP £2000 RRP £2000 | niagaraequissage.com

ENDURA PRO TREADMILL has been developed for building up hind quarter and back muscles, ligaments, tendon strength, fl exibility, heart and lung endurance, stamina and close, safe monitoring of horses' fi tness and training. The Endura Pro is ideal for rehabilitation work without the danger of daily in-hand exercise and for direct equine training.

RRP SEE WEBSITE | kylixuk.co.uk

is the only whole-body vibration therapy solution vibration therapy solution designed exclusively for designed exclusively for horses. The highly effective, and horses. The highly effective, and fully automated vibration plate fully automated vibration plate can be used as a stand-alone platform or integrated into a stable. This non-invasive, low impact and high performing therapy is easy to integrate into the daily routine of horses and provides a range of benefi ts including increase circulation, improved bone density, hoof growth and the relief of joint and muscle soreness.

equinehealthcentre.com

PAD has been developed through trials at Myerscough College, the massage pad increases back fl exibility and promotes relaxation. Massage can also promote the release of endorphins, the body's natural 'feel-good' hormones. With a twoyear guarantee, it is easy to use, lightweight and battery-operated, so you can take it wherever you go. Available in sizes standard and XL.

RRP FROM £299 | equilibriumproducts.com PRO products contain active carbon fi bres, which are particularly suitable for use with tendons, joints and muscles. The extremely thin and highly effi cient hi-tech fi bres ensure optimal deep radiation for a long-lasting effect, and can help accelerate the regeneration of tissue. The products work by stimulating and promoting the self-healing processes that are always present within the body. It has been shown that the effects of active long-wave infrared radiation signifi cantly helps to increase the blood fl ow and reduce tension in muscles, making these relaxing properties of FIR-Tech pro products good for use in sport, wellness and relaxation, and a great addition to any yard or tack room.

The tendon pad is used with FIR-Tech Therapy boots.

FMBS THERAPY SYSTEMS have a knowledgeable and experienced team of experts for equine therapy and fi tness equipment. Whether you are considering the popular Combi Pro rug equine therapy and fi tness equipment. Whether you are considering the popular Combi Pro rug (PEMF and massage therapy), the Combi Floor (PEMF+Vibration+Weighbridge), a solarium (PEMF and massage therapy), the Combi Floor (PEMF+Vibration+Weighbridge), a solarium or a dry or water treadmill, Spa or Salt+Oxygen therapy room, FMBs can help you with or a dry or water treadmill, Spa or Salt+Oxygen therapy room, FMBs can help you with honest and practical solution that meets your needs. honest and practical solution that meets your needs.

RRP £POA | fRRP £POA | mbs.co.uk

£117.99 | catago.dk