Equine Therapy Centre Guide

Equine Therapy Centre & Veterinary Practice.

Equine Therapy Centre Guide

Introduction

The College Equine Therapy Centre provides a variety of treatments and services to promote and assist the recovery of client’s horses in a purpose built facility located at the Pitsford Centre.

Extending to 893m², the facility also hosts a surgery for a local specialist equine veterinary practice. The Therapy Centre itself is 34m x 11.5m and is 6.6m in height.

Adjacent to the facility are 6 high quality stables providing temporary residence for horses receiving treatment at the Centre.

The Therapy Centre is managed by a Senior Therapist who is responsible for the day to day running of the facility and for designing and managing the horses’ therapy programmes. These may include either an individual treatment or a combination of specialised treatments designed into a programme to suit each horses specific needs. Photo: Equine Therapy Centre The Senior Therapist is supported and assisted by two fully trained and experienced Technical Assistants. The Therapy Team evaluate and assess each horse upon arrival and are skilled at rehabilitating high-end equine athletes from all disciplines including show-jumpers, dressage, 3-day eventers and thoroughbreds.

The Equine Therapy Centre offers an unrivalled service in equine rehabilitation specialising in post surgical, after injury and return to training care.

Equine Therapy Centre Video

A three minute video introduction to the Equine Therapy Centre. The video has sound, so please turn on speakers / headphones to hear this.

Aqua Therapy

Less Stress

The benefit of hydrotherapy is that it relieves stress on a horse’s joints, as it lessens impact. At the same time it provides greater resistance, since the density of water is some 12 times greater than that of air. This combination makes hydrotherapy an excellent way to recondition a horse after an injury or surgery, or to improve fitness generally – just as it is for human athletes.

Swimming

The College has a state of the art indoor swimming pool which measures 30m long, 3.25m wide with a maximum depth of 2.7m. It has ramps that gradually lead down into the water at both ends so that the horse can be gently entered into the pool while being led on two long reins along either side of the pool. The pool also contains a variable force jet stream system that enables the horse to be swum against a constant force of water if required.

Hydrotherapy Spa

The most famous success story of this type of therapy is Red Rum, winner of three Grand Nationals and many other prestigious races. He was trained on Southport beach utilising the benefits of salt water surf, to strengthen the tissues whilst stimulating circulation. Modern hydrotherapy uses chilled saline water applied in water jets to the lower legs. This strengthens the tissues, reduces inflammation, swelling and pain.

Aqua Treadmill

The aqua treadmill is an exercise medium with some therapeutic elements especially in the recovery or post acute phase of an injury. It assists in the conditioning of the muscles and the heart and lungs while reducing the stress on the tendons and ligaments.

The Activo-Med system uses the natural properties of water to create a low-impact treadmill workout, which increases cardiovascular activity and muscle strength. The system is designed to be an essential part of post-operative recovery and training, boosting general health and well being through controlled exercise.

The machine itself is designed and built in Germany. It is made of specially constructed galvanised steel that will bear the exposure to water treatment solutions for filtration and to keep the water very clean. The unit itself measures 2m high by 4.2m long and 2.2m wide. The inside working area is reduced to 1m with a 3.5m long treadmill belt to ensure a suitable working environment. The unit weighs a total of 1,285kg.

Solarium

This item of equipment promotes the well being of the horse and therefore performance. It also acts as a device to dry horses that have been using the aqua therapy facilities by using hot air diffusers similar to a large hair dryer. The upper and lower chest, and stomach are reached due to the reflection of air from the ground and the thermal current.

Equine solariums are rapidly becoming an invaluable addition to help maintain health and condition, and assist with the drying of horses and ponies.

Other Treatments

There is a resident physiotherapist at the centre providing further treatments for clients – electrotherapy (Vet Wave), therapeutic ultrasound therapy, laser therapy and pulsed magnetic field therapy.

Other treatment services available to our clients include:

Equine sports massage – massage reduces stress and promotes relaxation. It is a non-invasive treatment that relieves muscle pain, stiffness and tension. It increases flexibility and range of motion of the horse, helping to raise the performance level of the athlete.
Equine dentistry – a qualified dentist regularly visits the centre. This service is available as part of a general health and welfare package where required.
Physical exercise – a range of programmes can be arranged to assist a horse’s recovery - build up strength and muscle tone before being able to resume full work. These include exercise on the horse walker, lungeing, ridden exercise and pole work in hand.
Remedial farrier – our farrier is able to assess the conformation of the horse’s foot and recommend a programme of treatment. This may include balancing the foot correctly or remedial shoeing.

Town & Country Veterinary Centre

Moulton's therapy team works in partnership with Town & Country. This long established equine practice now operates from a purpose built clinic in the same building as the Therapy Centre and offers a full veterinary service from routine vaccinations and dental care to complex investigations and treatment.

Oakham Veterinary Hospital

The team also works in partnership with the long established Oakham Veterinary Hospital that offers a wide range of specialist equine referral services.

The Small Animal Therapy Centre

The Animal Therapy Centre consists of a commercially run canine hydrotherapy pool, grooming parlour and canine and feline physiotherapy/massage suite. The business is open to members of the public to bring their pets for a professional groom or for treatment in the hydrotherapy pool and physiotherapy suite by trained and qualified personnel.

Students have a chance to learn about these therapies by observing the qualified staff in action and assisting with the day-to-day tasks and duties. Members of the public can also choose to have their dogs groomed by students, still learning the skills associated with bathing and clipping, at a discounted rate.