Equine Hydrotherapy by Rachael Tolfrey https://padlet.com/rachael_tolfrey/eues4qtqjr9m en-us 2019-02-19 09:11:12 UTC 2019-03-06 14:48:00 UTC hello@padlet.com Nankervis et al.,2015 https://padlet.com/rachael_tolfrey/eues4qtqjr9m/wish/333231988  
Water depth modifies back kinematics of horses during water treadmill exercise 

Sample of 14 horses- different breeds and disciplines 

All horses that regularly visited the Hartpury equine therapy centre - these horses may have had / not had previous treatments

All horses sound / free from back pain as cleared by vet/ therapy professionals (how was soundness/ free from back pain dictated.) 

All horses undertook the same exercise plan- ( a control group not undergoing treatments may have been beneficial to see the difference from the treadmill work) 

]]> 2019-02-20 15:49:45 UTC https://padlet.com/rachael_tolfrey/eues4qtqjr9m/wish/333231988 Van Eps and Orsini (2016) https://padlet.com/rachael_tolfrey/eues4qtqjr9m/wish/338378772 A comparison of seven methods for continuous therapeutic cooling of the equine digit.

Looked into the effects of prophylactic digital cryotherapy on laminitis. This study looked into the use of 'simpler' and more practical methods of cryotherapy compared with other clinical studies.
Study summary:
- 4 healthy thoroughbred horses
- Each horse was used as its own control; left leg experience cryotherapy, whereas, the right leg was not
- Each horse underwent each of the 7 cryotherapy techniques; these were both wet and dry methods. Including: coronet sleeve, ice pack (foot only), ice pack (foot and distal limb), ice boot (distal limb), ice boot (foot and distal limb), fluid bag filled with ice and foot submerged, perfused cuff (dry sleeve).

Results:
- for cryotherapy to be most effective, the distal limb must be incorporated as well as the foot
- wet applications had a lower hoof wall surface temperature (HWSF) than dry applications

Critical evaluation:
The current study only recorded HWSF, however, when looking into laminitis it may have been more beneficial to look into the internal hoof temperature, as this would influence the laminae structure; influencing the true effective of cryotherapy. The study aimed to show the effectiveness of cryotherapy as a cooling technique of the hoof, although, some temperature decreases were recorded, the effectiveness of these techniques when used as treatments in clinical settings cannot be supported based on this study alone, as only healthy horses were used, the results cannot be entirely reliable when assessing patients with laminitis for example. 


 ]]> 2019-03-06 14:08:19 UTC https://padlet.com/rachael_tolfrey/eues4qtqjr9m/wish/338378772 Scott et al (2010) https://padlet.com/rachael_tolfrey/eues4qtqjr9m/wish/338379720 An investigation into the effect of water height on stride frequency, stride length and heart rate during water treadmill exercise.

Summary:
- Used 9 horses (5 Thoroughbred crosses and 5 Warmbloods)
5 geldings and 4 mares.
- Part 1; measuring stride frequency in all 9 horses during their first 6 water treadmill sessions.
- Part 2; only 8/9 horses were used.
Results;
- No significant difference between stride frequency between 4-6 session; it was decided by the authors that the steady state gait was achieved during the adjustment sessions.
- Higher levels of water appeared to be more constraining than lower levels; as the stride frequency in carpal and ulna height water showed relatively less change than the stride frequency at hoof and PIP height water.
- Water height ranging between the PIP joint and the ulna decreased stride frequency and increased stride length compared to the control group.
- Water provides resistance on the limb during the swing phase of a stride; a higher flight arc may minimize the resistance; therefore the horse may adopt a rounder fight arc which involves flexion of the hip, stifle and hock joints.
- This will then results in higher muscle activity of the muscles responsible for flexing these joints; which is a key area to consider when using it as a rehabilitation tool.

Critical evaluation:
-  This study recorded stride frequency, stride length and heart rate; however, only stride frequency was recorded during part 1. 
- Horses were sedated during their first encounter with the water treadmill - it does not state if this session was included in the results or if it was just used for habituation purposes. 
- A control water height is mentioned in the discussion but no control water height was stated in the m&ms. 
- All recording resources used where backed up with literature to support the validity of the results. 


]]> 2019-03-06 14:10:10 UTC https://padlet.com/rachael_tolfrey/eues4qtqjr9m/wish/338379720 Nankervis et al.,2015 https://padlet.com/rachael_tolfrey/eues4qtqjr9m/wish/338393849
 
Water depth modifies back kinematics of horses during water treadmill exercise 

the study aimed to measured thoracic flexion in walk at three water depths on the water treadmill. 

Sample of 14 horses- different breeds and disciplines however all competition type horses 

All horses that regularly visited the Hartpury equine therapy centre - these horses may have had / not had previous treatments which could affect the back kinematics. all horses were familiar with the water treadmill process.

All horses sound / free from back pain as cleared by an individual vet/ therapy professionals.

results suggested lower water levels encouraged thoracic flexion more so tannthe higher water levels 

critical:

The sample of horses used for the study was only inclusive of competition type horses who regularly used the water treadmill in there training programmes, it may be more beneficial to the study to use horses who are not frequently exercised on the water treadmill in order to see results in alternative situations.
 The journal states all horses are free from back pain and lameness, however this was assessed by either veterinary / therapy professionals to aid reliability all lameness should be dictated by one veterinary professional. 

]]> 2019-03-06 14:34:53 UTC https://padlet.com/rachael_tolfrey/eues4qtqjr9m/wish/338393849