ECB Equine Spa

• The latest development within PER is the fully commissioned ECB Equine Spa

• Cold water hydrotherapy is used to treat & prevent a multitude of injuries in 2°C / 35°F saltwater.

• The Spa has successfully addressed virtually all lower leg injuries.

• Treatment temperature leads to a profound vasoconstriction, reducing inflammation, post treatment the subsequent reperfusion promotes healing.

• This “Drug Free” therapy can be used for injury prevention & also to increase mobility & reduce swelling in the limbs before & after competitive events & training.

• The ECB Equine Spa is a self contained unit holding 2000 Litres / 530 Gallons.

Temperature The ECB Spa solution is maintained between 2 & 4 C (35 F), to minimise heat & inflammation. This provides analgesic pain management as well as inhibiting enzyme degeneration of tendons post injury.

Salt Concentration The salt solution acts as a hypertonic poultice as well as having a natural healing effect on wounds. Water density increases with salt concentration, which in turn increases pressure to aid fluid and water dispersal.

Aeration Water aeration has a massaging effect on the leg & increases the dissolved Oxygen content of the spa solution.

Depth The depth of the water is proportional to the pressure exerted on the leg, which effect fluid & waste dispersal; this can be varied according to position of injury.

The therapeutic factors of cold salt hydrotherapy can be used to treat all forms of inflammation within the tissues of the lower limb.

 
                                                                    Leading the horse into the Equine Spa

 
                                                       Tim Galer explains the benefits of the Equine Spa
 

Injury to superficial digital flexor, check ligament, deep digital flexor.

Tendonitis is one of the principle injuries associated with performance horses, as often repair is not fully successful. For example, initial injury may start as a bruise or strain to the collagen fibres, which then become inflamed & further deteriorate under the influence of collagenase. In repair new collagen fibres form, however often form cross links due to lingering swelling which are weak & re-injure. Cold hydrotherapy treatment minimizes the effects of collegenase by keeping the leg temperature lower; thus reducing the swelling allowing collagen fibres to repair neatly.