Equine Water Therapy: 5 Science-Backed Benefits
For modern horse owners in Los Angeles seeking to elevate their partner's long-term health, water-based conditioning has moved from a luxury reserved for elite Olympic athletes to an essential tool for horses of all levels.
But if you are new to the concept, you might be wondering exactly what this equipment does. Is it just a trend, or is it backed by science?
At EquiTread Los Angeles, we don't just rely on trends; we rely on proven biomechanics. Let’s dive into the science of this technology—often referred to broadly in the industry as equine water therapy—and why our team at Hansen Damtrusts it to keep horses sounder, longer.
Understanding the Modality
At its core, an equine underwater treadmill utilizes the principles of hydrotherapy for horses to provide a unique training environment where two opposing physical forces meet: buoyancy and resistance.
On dry land, your horse experiences full concussive forces on their joints and tendons with every step. When we submerge a horse in our aquatread, buoyancy lifts them. According to reports from institutions like UC Davis, water at the level of the stifle can reduce the weight-bearing load on the horse's limbs by roughly 30% to 40%.
What the Research (and Our Experience) Shows
Over the last decade, veterinary interest in equine water treadmill use has exploded. The findings consistently point to biomechanical benefits that we see firsthand in our daily sessions:
1. Increased Joint Range of Motion Studies have shown that horses exercising in a water treadmill exhibit an increased range of motion (ROM). Because the horse must lift its legs higher to clear the water’s resistance, we see them naturally increase flexion in the hock, stifle, and knee without the stinging impact of hitting hard ground.
2. Rapid Topline Development Perhaps the benefit our clients comment on most is the "topline" improvement. Research indicates that even short-term aqua treadmill programs can lead to measurable increases in these stabilizing muscles. By walking against resistance, the horse is encouraged to engage its core and lift its back.
3. Improved Postural Stability Just as balancing on a yoga ball helps human core strength, the slight instability of moving water forces a horse's smaller stabilizing muscles to fire. This improves overall balance and proprioception (awareness of foot placement).
(See how this applies to competition horses in our article on [INTERNAL LINK: The Competitive Edge]).
Experience the EquiTread Advantage
Whether you have a dressage horse needing more lift or a senior horse who needs a low-impact way to stay mobile, water treadmill sessions offer a versatile solution.
Visit us at Hansen Dam Horse Park in Los Angeles to see how this science-backed technology works in practice.
