The use of the aqua-treadmill in equine rehabilitation and exercise

Equine aqua-treadmills are routinely used for exercise and rehabilitation from injury yet little research exists reporting on biomechanical changes. Understanding the way the horse moves when exercising through different water depths is paramount to being able to engineer specific rehabilitation and exercise programmes for individual horses. This current PhD research is striving to provide some quantitative analysis of equine movement on the aqua-treadmill in order to inform current practice to make best use of the aqua-treadmill in rehabilitating and exercising horses. Preliminary results have indicated a significant increase in vertical displacement of the pelvis of the horse as the water depth is increased, suggesting that the horse is working harder to lift themselves out of the water. Additionally, as water depth increased horses started the stride significantly lower, suggesting an increase in hindlimb compression to increase push off. Current investigations are focussing on the vertical displacement of the withers, as the highest point of the forelimb of the horse, through increasing water depths. Comparisons can then be made between the simultaneous movement of the front and back end of the horse. Published findings will inform current practices and have an overall positive impact on equine rehabilitative techniques.