Hydrotherapy, or cold water therapy, has long been used for the treatment of many distal (lower leg) injuries and diseases. Cold water hosing, ice packs and boots have always been valued as anti-inflammatory and cleansing agents in many injury situations. Horses taken into the sea, showed a healing effect which facilitated a decrease in the recovery time.
Due to this knowledge, combining ultra-cool and ultra high saline water, in a contained unit or hydrotherapy spa, has thus been comprehensively researched and trialed at the University of Sydney Orange in Australia. These clinical trials have showed a considerably faster recovery rate and an overall increase in longer term benefits compared with sea water
The spa is also beneficial as a preventative modality for competitive horses where the rigors of competition and training create continuous concussive forces in the distal joints and tendons. Horses treated regularly by the hydrotherapy spa have shown to have stronger, more supple legs with an improved gait.
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