Equine Rehabilitation: A Scoping Review of the Literature

Abstract

Injuries to the locomotor system are a common problem in athletic horses. Veterinarians address these injuries using appropriate medical, surgical, and pharmacological treatments. During or after recovery from the initial injury, horses may be treated for functional locomotor deficits using specific rehabilitation techniques aimed at restoring full athletic performance. This study reviews the literature to identify which rehabilitative techniques have been used most frequently in horses over the past 20 years, the protocols that were used, and the outcomes of the treatments in naturally occurring injuries and diseases. Publications were identified using keyword selection (Equine Athlete OR Equine OR Horse) AND (Rehabilitation OR Physiotherapy OR Physical Therapy). After removing duplicates and screening papers for suitability, 49 manuscripts were included in the study. The majority of publications that met the inclusion criteria were narrative reviews (49%) in which the authors cited the relatively small number of published evidence-based studies supplemented by personal experience. Observational/descriptive studies were also popular (35%). Randomized control trials accounted for only 10%. The most frequently reported rehabilitation techniques were exercise, electrotherapy, and hydrotherapy. The findings highlight the need for further information regarding type of intervention, parameterization, and outcomes of equine rehabilitation in clinical practice.

Rehabilitation in der Pferdeorthopädie – Was ist der Stand der Wissenschaft?

“…Training und Mobilisationsübungen werden als essenzielle Bestandteile einer erfolgreichen Rehabilitation angesehen 3 , 4 . Deshalb sollte mit dem Training frühestmöglich in einer angemessenen Form begonnen werden 5 .…”

“…Die Thermotherapie umfasst das Erwärmen oder das Kühlen der Haut und somit auch der darunter liegenden Strukturen 5 . Hierbei findet Wärme vor allem bei Muskelschmerzen und Kälte bei Sehnen- und Bandverletzungen ( Abb.…”

Osteoarthritis: a common disease that should be avoided in the athletic horse’s life

“…Heat therapy is generally contraindicated for acute inflammation. Hydrotherapy relies on some water properties and their therapeutic effects on locomotor system, comprising pressure, viscosity, drag force, and buoyancy properties to relieve pain, reduction of axial forces supported by joints and soft tissues, improvement of joint range of motion, control of edema, and stimulation of blood circulation ( Muñoz et al, 2019 ; Atalaia et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Laser therapy and therapeutic ultrasound are noninvasive approaches that can be applied using different intensities and frequencies depending on the timing of the therapy and the depth of the targeted tissue ( Atalaia et al, 2021 ). Laser therapy is mainly used to reduce joint pain, effusion, and periarticular swelling.…”

Impact of Gait and Diameter during Circular Exercise on Front Hoof Area, Vertical Force, and Pressure in Mature Horses

“…Thoroughbred racehorses also experience circular forces as they lean into a bend at high speeds [ 1 , 2 ]. Lunging with and without lunging aids, and the use of mechanical horse walkers is found in many rehabilitation protocols [ 3 , 4 ]. When surveyed, 50% of Thoroughbred trainers in Victoria, Australia indicated the use of a mechanical walker as an alternative exercise method to track work [ 5 ].…”