Practical Rehabilitation by Katie Hancox https://padlet.com/katie_hancox/igfthgekz36b summaries of treatment modalities used in equine rehabilitation en-us 2018-10-01 22:54:29 UTC 2018-10-09 08:13:53 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.com/katie_hancox/igfthgekz36b/wish/290509968 Major physiological benefits 
  • Cold- reduces tissue swelling, decreases circulation & pain 
  • Heat- increases tissue extensibility, local circulation, muscle relaxation, tissue oxygenation and increases metabolic rate of cells and enzyme systems.

Protocols for correct use of the intervention 
  • Cold- tissue temperatures between 15 degrees and 19 degrees work best no lower than 10degrees (can cause more damage)
  • Lasting for 15-20minutes every 2-4 hours during the first 24-48 hours of injury 
  • Heat- tissue temperatures between 40-45 degrees work best but no higher than 45 degrees (can cause pain + more damage) 
  • Lasting for 15-30 minuets 

Injuries it is used for 
  • Cold- acute musculoskeletal injuries and following surgical procedures to reduce edema, slow inflammation and reduce pain. + reducing the severity of laminitis
  • Heat- applied after acute inflammation has subsided. It is useful for reducing muscle spasms and pain because of musculoskeletal injuries. Heat therapy can be used to increase joint and tendon mobility. Heat may benefit recovery of localised soft tissue injuries by accelerating the healing response
]]> 2018-10-08 22:50:21 UTC https://padlet.com/katie_hancox/igfthgekz36b/wish/290509968 https://padlet.com/katie_hancox/igfthgekz36b/wish/290512607 Major physiological benefits 
  • selectively heat certain tissues, such as muscles and ligaments Without heating the surface 
  • increases metabolic activity in the cells
  • increase the amount of blood bringing oxygen
  • Membrane diffusion and enzymatic activity also increase, enabling oxygen consumption and waste removal. The waste products of injury include prostaglandins, bradykinin, and histamine, all implicated in nerve fibre sensitisation and pain.

Protocols for correct use of the intervention 
  • Tissue temperatures between 40-45 degrees but higher than 45 can cause more damage 
  • Only trained professionals can administer due to the damage that can be caused if the frequency is too high 
  • Cannot be used on the eyes, uterus (if pregnant), growth plates (until fully developed), healing fractures, vascular insufficiency, Inflamed blood vessels, Tumours, infected areas or straight after injury 

Injuries it is used for 
  • Joint Mobility
  • Tendon Extension
  • Scar Tissues
  • Bony Growths
  • Pain Relief
  • Muscle Spasm Relaxation
  • Reduction Of Edema
  • Wound Healing
]]> 2018-10-08 23:12:22 UTC https://padlet.com/katie_hancox/igfthgekz36b/wish/290512607 https://padlet.com/katie_hancox/igfthgekz36b/wish/290600930
Deep-penetrating therapeutic laser 
stimulates photobiochemical cascade of events at the cellular level which achieve relief of pain, a reduction in inflammation and an increase in microcirculation. These result in an accelerated restoration of function or healing within the tissues.


A localized and systemic analgesic effect is accomplished through simultaneous biochemical pathways. These are:

  • Increased nitric oxide production
  • Increase in the release of beta endorphins
  • Decreased bradykinin levels within the surrounding tissues
  • Ion channel normalization within the individual cells
  • Stabilization of the action potentials within the individual nerve cells
  • An increase in the localized and systemic serotonin levels
  • Increased release of acetylcholine
  • Blocked depolarization of C-fiber afferent nerves

Reduction in the inflammatory process is accomplished by a similar cascade of events. These are:

  • An inhibition in the synthesis and secretion of inflammatory prostaglandins yet a stimulation of those prostaglandins that have a vasodilatory and anti-inflammatory action
  • Stabilization of the cellular membrane in regard to Ca++, Na+ and K+ concentrations
  • Enhancement of ATP production and synthesis stimulating the metabolic activity and the production of fibroblasts
  • Reduction in interleukin 1 production
]]> 2018-10-09 08:07:39 UTC https://padlet.com/katie_hancox/igfthgekz36b/wish/290600930 https://padlet.com/katie_hancox/igfthgekz36b/wish/290601602 Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has become a new technology for treating musculoskeletal problems, soft-tissue injuries and bone injuries in horses. ESWT is non-invasive, used to stimulate healing to return horses to a level of fully sound, useful activity without recurrence of disease.

From outside the body (extracorporeal), the machine generates high-intensity shock or pressure waves, which pulse to a specific site within the injured tissue. Though its actual mode of action is still in dispute, it stimulates and accelerates the healing process, essentially combining an immediate analgesic effect with a reduction in inflammation, neovascularization in soft tissue and osteogenesis in bone. According to Dr. Scott McClure, DVM, Iowa State University, a leading researcher in the field, it can be used to treat various conditions, such as suspensory ligament desmitis, navicular disease, saucer fractures, bucked shins, bowed tendon, sesamoid fractures, stress fractures and vertebral spinal pain (kissing spine lesions).

]]> 2018-10-09 08:10:26 UTC https://padlet.com/katie_hancox/igfthgekz36b/wish/290601602 Build up gradually and at the pace the horse or pony can https://padlet.com/katie_hancox/igfthgekz36b/wish/290601730 2018-10-09 08:10:53 UTC https://padlet.com/katie_hancox/igfthgekz36b/wish/290601730 Conditioning Exercise https://padlet.com/katie_hancox/igfthgekz36b/wish/290601892 Conditioning Exercises
A horse with an underlying injury will generally compensate by putting more stress on another body part, which may result in further injuries in joint structure (e.g., muscle tightness, cinching). As a result of uneven weight distribution, the horse may place excess burdens on its shoulders, knees, ankles, and foreleg muscles. This imbalanced exertion may lead to asymmetric movement, strains, and trauma during activity. Strains can cause poor mobility and reduce stride.
Once a physical injury has been properly assessed, exercises such as stretching, lunging, and riding may be used to strengthen and balance a horse's motion.5-7 A certified equine rehabilitation practitioner or equine physical therapist should be consulted to determine the most appropriate exercises for the problem the horse is experiencing.

]]> 2018-10-09 08:11:22 UTC https://padlet.com/katie_hancox/igfthgekz36b/wish/290601892 Cavaletti/pole work to be built up gradually and assists with range of motion. https://padlet.com/katie_hancox/igfthgekz36b/wish/290602479 Stretching ]]> 2018-10-09 08:13:20 UTC https://padlet.com/katie_hancox/igfthgekz36b/wish/290602479