EQUESTRIAN
On the treadmill - Yasmin Dadkhah’s DS Foenix, wFlorence to her friends, a homebred 5yo dressage mare, and hopefully Yasmin’s next Grand Prix horse.
“The aqua treadmill is an advanced form of hydrotherapy, combining the unique healing properties of cold water with safe, controlled exercise in a straight line.” Said Lisa Ford from South West Equine Water Treadmill “excellent as part of a rehabilitation programme, but also extremely beneficial for a healthy horse, developing core strength and improved balance.
by Laura Hitchcock
‘Suppleness, Stride Length, Muscle Tone & Strength.’
The benefits of a water treadmill for horses aren’t limited simply to rehabilitation from injury. In recent years, the equestrian industry is increasingly turning to the benefits of aqua therapy for the regular training regime for horses from all disciplines. Use of cold water aqua therapy is now becoming an integral part of a competition horse’s development and training programme, bringing real benefits including improvements to all-over suppleness, increased stride length, better muscle tone and more core strength. This not only maximises performance and training, but also reduces the risk of future injury. skeletal system, but it puts minimum stress on their front legs and feet. International Grand Prix Dressage Rider Lucy Straker, recently shared on Facebook:
‘[Hawks] just scored 67.2% in his second ever BD Grand Prix! All the winter work of strengthening and fitness, thanks to South West Equine Water Treadmill, is paying off!’
Lucy Straker on ‘Hawks’, 14yr old Hawker Hurricane.
“The horses take higher steps to go over the water; it’s a different pattern from their stride on dry land, and by the control of speed and balance the horse is encouraged to ‘sit’ more behind. This builds an increase in muscular flexibility, tone and muscle mass.” “Working a horse on the water treadmill helps improve their range of movement and strengthens their musculo-
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