Rehabilitation Process

Prior to your horse arriving with us here at Field equine Vets Treadmill, we will speak to your case vet and make a plan for what your horse requires for their rehabilitation program. We cater for all types of injuries and recovery stages with the rehabilitation and care of your horse being carried out by Sarah Cook RVN and her team.

Upon arrival we will admit your horse into our stables on the courtyard where we will go through the consent form and gather information on your horse’s usual routine and current exercise regime.

Each horse will be bedded on a large bed using bedmax shavings and will be fed hay which can be soaked as required.

On day one each horse has is weighed, has back measurements taken using the flexi curve and pictures taken from the side and from behind.

Each day will consist of a treadmill session except for Sundays which is a rest day usually for the horse to spend time in the paddock if suitable. Treadmill sessions will be tailored to the individual, with water depth and incline being altered according to fitness and injury requirements. Treadmill sessions can also be split into two sessions in a day if the horse cannot manage a full session in one duration.

In-hand work can be incorporated into the daily exercise regime, this can consist of in hand, long reining or lunging over flat or raised poles in various exercises. Exercise lengths will vary dependent upon what the horse is in resident for and their current fitness level, some days the plan may change if they become tired.

We have two paddocks here at Field Equine which are safely fenced with post and rail and electric. Each patient can have daily turnout tailored for the individuals needs, we can accommodate horses on box rest or that can be introduced to turnout after injury.

The equicore band system can be introduced, using the abdominal band on the treadmill and on the ground the hind limb band can be added in. This system is used to encourage core and hindlimb engagement and can be used along side the bungee system to ensure correct posture when exercising.

Twice daily we will do baited exercises usually prior to exercise to encourage muscle flexibility and warm up. This will be carried out using either treats or a lickit.

Included in the rehabilitation packages is the use of either our cryotherapy or laser therapy unit, the number of sessions included will depend upon the length of stay.

The cryotherapy unit aids in wound healing and reducing inflammation.

The laser therapy unit enhances the body’s natural healing by stimulating blood and oxygen flow to the area, this is could for muscle injury or soreness and ligament injuries.

We can also incorporate acupuncture sessions into your horse’s rehabilitation; this would be at an additional charge with our Veterinary surgeon Jo Gwynne MRCVS.

Prior to discharge we will repeat the process from the beginning of the stay, weighing, taking photographs and flexicurve measurements, this will show any changes in muscle development and posture. Studies have shown that consistent water treadmill exercise helps to increase muscle development in the trapezius and mid thoracic muscles.

You will be given discharge instructions to take home with you which will outline what your horses exercise routine has consisted of each day and a further rehabilitation plan if required.