What is rehabilitation?

Rehabilitation is the use of the spa and active exercise to improve recovery from illness or injury. The aim of rehabilitation is to:

• improve strength and suppleness
• restore normal range of movement
• improve stamina and general fitness
• correct problems with balance and gait

Rehabilitation is a program of treatments created to help achieve these goals and can include hydrotherapy treatment, physiotherapy, controlled exercise regimes, long reigning, pole work, balance exercises, lunging, behavioural schooling, massage, and other treatments.

Every injury needs to be treated differently, hence all of our rehabilitation programmes are built around the individual horse and the physical requirements demanded by his needs and particular discipline. The exercise regime for a show jumping horse for example would be very different from a specialist in western or a polo horse.

With our on-site Equine Spa, horse walker, livery service and experienced staff we are confident that Priory Farm is the place for your horse to recover to its former-self.

When would my horse need rehabilitation?

We would recommend that you consider a rehabilitation programme for your horse if it has:

• Been injured, suffered a trauma or a disease
• Undergone orthopaedic surgery
• Had a prolonged period of box rest
• Foot imbalances
• Tendonitis or other ligament injury

How expensive is rehabilitation?

The cost of a rehabilitation programme will vary depending on the nature of the injury and the treatments required

. However if your horse is insured and has been referred by a vet, you may find that the cost is covered by your insurance.  If you are not insured we can offer packages starting from £25 for a single hydrotherapy treatment.

What is equine physiotherapy?

Equine physiotherapy consists of massage, soft tissue treatment, stretching, joint articulation exercises and where necessary osteopathic adjustments.

A physiotherapist will look for tension, muscular imbalances, lack of movement, stiffness and any signs of disease and then design a program of treatment to free up these problem areas.

Does my horse need to be sedated for treatment?

It is not necessary to sedate a horse for any of our treatments including the equine spa, however if you feel that your horse is of a nervous disposition we can arrange for your vet or ours to be on hand to provide sedation if necessary.

How long does a spa treatment take?

The equine spa session will last between 10 and 20 minutes, there is no unnecessary standing around time as the spa fills up in a  matter of minutes!

What is involved in a spa session?

First we will clean your horses legs and feet to pick out any surface dirt, and then he will be fitted with a nappy. We will then walk your horse into the spa and give him some time to become accustomed to it. Once we feel that he is comfortable we will shut the doors and the water will begin to flow into the spa through the floor of the unit up to the desired depth.

Once the water is at the appropriate depth, oxygen will be added to introduce aeration and massage the limbs, aiding circulation and reducing inflammation.

The spa session will take between 10 and 20 minutes, and once the water is emptied back into the tanks, the doors are opened and the horse is led from the unit.

We then rinse off your horse's limbs and remove the nappy.

We have a comfortable waiting room on site allowing you to "spa while you wait"

How often will my horse need a spa treatment?

Treatments can vary from daily to once a week depending on the injury and the recommendation of the referring veterinary surgeon who will make regular visits to re-asses each case.

Should I use the Equine Spa even if my horse is not injured?

The Equine Spa is considered to have several preventative benefits including jar-up, sore shins, inflamed joints and sore & tired legs. Competition horses regularly use our equine spa as part of their training programme to help maintain healthy limbs and prevent injury.

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