What type of injuries should be used in this spa?
The Spa will prevent, diagnose and treat all leg injuries in all four legs at the same time. Using the Spa eliminates the chance of re-infection and proud flesh formations, allowing even the most serious of wounds to heal with little or no scarring. Treatment of hip, stifle, shoulder, chest, and other back injuries is possible with the use of a hose connected to the Spa’s internal filtration system. For a list of common injuries and their rehabilitation in the Spa, please consult the following owner’s discipline index: Thoroughbred Race Horse; Standardbred Race Horse; Hunter-Jumper, Eventing, Dressage, Western and Reining, General Riding and Driving.
How does the spa improve healing of an injury?
Regular use of Darden Equine hydrotherapy spa means the healing time is reduced at least in half. This dramatically lowers the owner’s cost for bandaging, emergency veterinary care due to infection, and the largest cost: time. By healing the injury quickly and thoroughly in the Spa, owners will guarantee their equine will be in regular use soon after the injury or wound is treated. Finally, the Spa’s ability to heal most injuries with virtually no scarring and impediment of movement means future sale of these horses will bring top value.
How is the spa helpful in preventing and diagnosing injuries?
Injury prevention is always better than cure. By regular use of the Spa immediately after hard exercise, many of the stressors within tissues are removed before inflammation develops. Cold water also significantly improves surface bone density reducing the opportunity for bone stress related injuries to commence.
The Spa is also helpful when diagnosing a potential issue. Once the horse’s legs have been immersed in the Spa for one session, they will emerge extremely cold: within 1-2 degrees of the Spa’s water temperature. If the horse has no injury, the owner will be able to efficiently diagnose this situation because every area of each leg will remain cold. However, if an injury is present, the affected area will fill with blood quickly thus warming the area, so a person’s hand can easily feel the difference. Veterinarians have used the Spa to locate specific problems so they can be x-rayed and a proper diagnosis given.
Who determines how often treatments are needed?
We closely follow the treatment recommendations of your personal veterinarian and our Equine Spa veterinarian, Dr. Evan R. Hunt, MVSc, PhD, G. Dip. Ed (Tert). Dr. Hunt is the original researcher for the Equine Spa and we have direct contact with him when it is needed. Since he has a thorough knowledge of how the Spa heals a large variety of equine injuries and wounds, his recommendations for Spa use are vital. His work has been published in equine medical magazines worldwide. (“Response of Twenty-Seven Horses with Lower Leg Injuries to Cold Spa Bath Hydrotherapy.” Journal of Equine Veterinarian Science, volume 21, issue 4, 2001; 20(4); 188-193.)
How do horses handle the treatment?
All horses begin with an introductory treatment using a half-door, about knee height for most horses. Depending on how horses adapt to this treatment and their injury, the equine hydrotherapist will progress treatment by gradually increasing water levels and aeration. Darden Equine prides itself on ensuring every safety measure is taken during hydrotherapy spa sessions. Therefore, most horses quickly adapt to the Spa, and thoroughly enjoy the pain relief and massaging effects of the treatment sessions. The Spa’s aeration process causes oxygen to be absorbed into the blood resulting in reduced heart rate and a euphorically relaxed horse.
Can a horse become infected from the Spa’s water?
It is virtually impossible for the Spa’s water to harbor infections due to a combination of fine filtration, chlorination, and cold saltwater. The water not only eliminates chance of infection, it prevents further micro-biological infection and treats pre-existing conditions.
What horses has Darden Equine treated?
Darden Equine is the first company in the world to successfully treat thousands of thoroughbred racehorses at a thoroughbred-only racetrack. In 2008, at Woodbine’s backstretch, our Spa treated thousands of over-stimulated, professionally trained, priceless thoroughbreds. Amongst our equine clientele, we successfully treated half of the top award winning racing athletes in 2008: Not Bourbon, Rahy’s Attorney, and Cawaja Beach.
Around the world, many Olympic caliber horses are using the Spa. Irish Team, an Olympic standard 3 day eventer and Escapado, British Dressage Horse of the Year 2004 are just two highly recognized users.
Where in the world is the Spa in use?
The Hydrotherapy Spa is used all over the world, but it is especially popular in Europe and United States. In the United Kingdom, most of the larger equestrian yards own an Equine Spa Unit and offer rehabilitation services. The Spa is also becoming very popular in the U.S. where more and more facilities are beginning to advertise themselves as rehabilitation clinics.
http://www.equinespa.com/Rehab%20Centres%20uk%20&%20Europe.html
http://www.equinespa.com/Rehab%20Centres%20USA%20&%20Canada.html
How long has equine hydrotherapy been in use and who did the research?
The knowledge of using cold saltwater is an ancient form of healing and pain relief. Horses and humans have used the ocean waters to heal themselves, so this is the basis for the development of the Equine Spa. Our Spa, an ECB Equine Spa, was the first company in Europe to design and manufacture a cold salt hydrotherapy unit for the equine industry. The Equine Spa was produced in the early 1990’s using the knowledge and research of Dr. Evan Hunt. Professor Hunt did the initial research into the development of cold salt hydrotherapy. His work has been accredited by worldwide professionals and today he works alongside ECB Equine Spa in the constant development of the Spa. He also provides backup for clients of ECB by using his expertise and knowledge to aid in injury diagnosis and treatment. After years of working within rehabilitation with various units on the market, Evan will only provide his support and backup to the ECB spa.
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