The development of safe and effective rehabilitation protocols for horses

Abstract

Summary Rehabilitation has become an important aspect of equine practice. Unfortunately, there is limited knowledge or awareness of the general principles and methods used to develop safe and effective rehabilitation programmes. By following a few basic principles, appropriate rehabilitation programmes can be developed for individual horses with a wide range of injuries and sources of musculoskeletal pain or dysfunction. This article provides an outline of general guidelines to help practitioners interested in developing rehabilitation programmes or working with sports medicine and rehabilitation experts to provide the best possible treatment for individual horses with injuries at different stages of healing.

Long‐term performance of show‐jumping horses and relationship with severity of ataxia and complications associated with myeloencephalopathy caused by equine herpes virus‐1

“…Most horses underwent active physical rehabilitation from the stable phase of the disease during the outbreak, which also could have a positive impact on the neuromuscular recovery of horses and sports prognosis. 17 In addition to the grade of ataxia on admission, the development of complications, especially in the vascular and urinary systems, had a relevant impact on survival and prognosis of the affected horses. The presence of these complications could be secondary to a higher degree of viremia and even possible replication of the virus in locations not previously described, such as the urinary system.…”

“…Horses that had an ataxia grade ≥3/5 upon admission experienced a notable decrease in the likelihood of full recovery, whereas horses graded ≥4/5 showed minimal likelihood for achieving full recovery. Most horses underwent active physical rehabilitation from the stable phase of the disease during the outbreak, which also could have a positive impact on the neuromuscular recovery of horses and sports prognosis 17 …”

Effects of individualised rehabilitation for horses with equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy

“…Neurologic diseases in both horses and human patients may alter the interaction of the various parts of the motor system resulting in loss of normal function. Therefore, to regain the best possible function and re‐educate the neuromuscular system; functional training with stimulation of proprioceptive and sensory systems is necessary (Haussler et al, 2021; Wilson et al, 2016). When developing and adapting the rehabilitation plans the level of fatigue had to be taken into consideration.…”

“…To maintain and improve balance, including proprioceptive information from the muscles and joints, weight‐shifting exercises were set in early and were gradually increased—from smooth pushes and lateral tail pulling to standing on balance pads. Stimulation of muscular activity adjusts the ground reaction forces and is a necessity to maintain postural balance (Clayton, 2016; Haussler et al, 2021). Dynamic exercises (‘baited stretches’) were added for dynamic mobility and stability, strength and balance (De Oliveira et al, 2015; Stubbs et al, 2011) and they worked with strengthening the core using the Equiband™ system in a motor control approach (Pfau et al, 2017; Simons et al, 2015; Stubbs et al, 2011).…”

“…Dynamic exercises (‘baited stretches’) were added for dynamic mobility and stability, strength and balance (De Oliveira et al, 2015; Stubbs et al, 2011) and they worked with strengthening the core using the Equiband™ system in a motor control approach (Pfau et al, 2017; Simons et al, 2015; Stubbs et al, 2011). Active exercises to stimulate proprioception and coordination together with motor activity were done, such as walking over poles with different heights and distances (Brown et al, 2015; Clayton, 2016) and exercise over different ground surfaces as this stimulates the firing of proprioceptive and sensory fibres more than an even ground (Haussler et al, 2021; Paulekas & Haussler, 2009). Proprioceptive rehabilitation is important to enhance inter‐ and intramuscular coordination to achieve such an optimal dynamic balance and function as possible and proprioceptive rehabilitation has been shown in man to have the potential to benefit musculoskeletal endurance, functional mobility and to gain static and dynamic balance and gait (Espejo‐Antúnez et al, 2020).…”