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Research carried out by Prof. Evan Hunt at the University of Sydney,
Orange, New South Wales, has shown that therapy undertaken in the Equine
Spa has been of major benefit in the treatment of lower leg injuries.
Results from within the Racehorse Industry have shown amazing recovery
times with all lower leg injuries. It has also shown to have improved the
performance of race, performance and pleasure horses
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A
Summary Prof. Hunt's Findings |
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The influence of
hypertonic cold water (5-90C) spa bath hydrotherapy on the response of
27 horses with various lower leg injuries is described. Fifteen horses
with grade 2 or 3 superficial digital flexor tendon damage and 4 with
suspensory ligament injury treated for 10 minutes three times a week
responded with markedly improved ultrasonographic echogenicity and
fibre realignment of injured tissues. All but 2 of these horses when
placed back into training returned to compete successfully within 6
months without reinjury.
Two
equestrian sports horses with traumatic contusion injury treated twice
daily were able to compete successfully 72 hours after injury without
supportive drug therapy. Responses of six individual horses with other
leg conditions also responded to hydrotherapy faster than expected.
The responses indicate hypertonic cold water spa therapy could be a
valuable addition to therapeutic regimes with or without other
therapies. |
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