Why Aqua Treadmill Depth Matters
Why Water Depth Matters
A Scientific Look at Aquatread Therapy for Joint Injuries
The Physics of Buoyancy
The foundational principle of aquatic therapy is buoyancy. As a horse enters the water, the upward force counteracts gravity, dramatically reducing stress on its joints. This effect isn't arbitrary—it's a precise, measurable phenomenon that we can control. Scroll down to see how.
Initial Support
With water at the elbow, the unloading effect begins, reducing the horse's effective body weight by up to 15%. This is ideal for initial acclimatization and minimal support.1
Significant Relief
Submerging the horse to its shoulder joint provides a major therapeutic benefit, removing 30% to 60% of body weight. This allows for increased joint movement with far less pain.2
Maximum Unloading
At its maximum therapeutic depth near the hip, buoyancy can reduce weight-bearing by a massive 75%, creating a near-weightless environment for pain-free exercise.2
Targeting Joints with Precision
Beyond simply unloading weight, water depth is a prescriptive tool. Different depths alter the horse's gait, forcing specific joints to flex and extend more than they would on land. This allows us to target problem areas directly. Click the hotspots on the diagram below to learn more.
Click a glowing hotspot to see which joints are targeted.
A Veterinarian's Perspective
The clinical efficacy of this approach is well-documented. Influential studies from Colorado State University found that horses exercised on an underwater treadmill showed reduced synovial membrane inflammation and better overall improvement compared to land-based exercise.4 Further research from the same group demonstrated that underwater treadmill exercise significantly improved postural stability in these horses, a key factor in restoring long-term soundness.6
