SWIM THERAPY SHOWS WATER WORKS A TREAT
SWIM THERAPY SHOWS WATER WORKS A TREAT
You can take a horse to
water – and you can make
it swim. So Jeremy Hunt
discovers when he takes a
dip in the world of horse
hydrotherapy
HENRY, a 16.3hh hunter gelding, is making his maiden voyage around the equine hydrotherapy pool at the Horses Health Farm, Rathmell, North Yorks.
Guided by a handler on each side of the halter, the 13-year-old gelding shows little hesitation as hes led into the shallow water that leads into the 12ft-deep circular pool.
Stuart Currie, who runs the Northern Equine Therapy Centre with his wife Gail, uses words of encouragement as Henry launches himself into the water. With nostrils flared and lips curled back he seems to be enjoying the experience, gracefully propelling himself around one circuit of the pool.
"That was good for his first time," says Stuart as the gelding regains his land-legs and takes a breather. "After one circuit we let them catch their breath. Its surprising how much physical effort a horse has to put into swimming – thats why its so good for them."
The building that now houses the pool and the smart row of purpose built loose-boxes was once home to the familys 150 dairy cows. Stuart took over the farm when his father – Texel sheep breeder Duncan Currie – retired. There are still 200 commercial ewes on the place and the famous Beautry prefix is maintained through a small flock of pedigree Texels. But horses are now the priority.
Stuart had always been a keen rider and had hunted and competed successfully as a point-to-point jockey. In 1990, becoming disillusioned with dairy cows, he looked at diversifying into horses. Through his racing connections he was aware of the therapeutic benefits of encouraging horses to swim.
* 5000gal pool
By January 1992, and after favourable results from market research, the dairy herd had been sold and the first customers were bringing their horses to swim in the 5000gal pool.
Leading northern racehorse trainers are among the centres regular clients as well as showjumpers, event and endurance riders.
The hard ground of the summer-months often sees horses booked in for swimming to ease limbs and shoulders jarred from a seasons tough competition either racing or show jumping. Other owners use the pool as part of an exercise and training programme to avoid the risks posed by working on rock-solid going.
"Jarred shoulders, bruised or pulled muscles and back problems all benefit from swimming which we often combine with a course of physiotherapy," says Stuart. Treatment time can vary from one to three weeks.
While some horses are referred to the centre by vets to tackle a specific physical problem, many other owners book pool visits to refresh their horses. "A lot of horses get bored and jaded with a strict training programme at home. They come here for as few days and the change of scene as well as daily swimming really perks them up."
Pool-side stabling is provided for all visiting horses. It enables them to see other horses swim and reduces the stress before newcomers take their turn. Horses are fitted with over-reach boots for protection. Swimming is gradually built up over several days starting off with one lap of the 25yd circular pool; the most expected would be about 20 laps in one session.
"Every horse has to be treated as an individual. They all have their own style of swimming; some swim low in the water and find it more difficult to float while others cruise around with ease. The variation in style is as different as it is in humans," says Stuart.
The water is chlorinated but is not heated as the heart-rate rises more rapidly in a cold pool. After each session is completed, horses are given a quick rub-down and then moved into a stall to stand and soak up the heat from a bank of ultra violet lamps.
* Muscle tone
Muscle tone is so markedly improved by swimming that horses have to be given equivalent laps on both "legs" to ensure that an equal amount of muscle is built up on all limbs.
"We have found that swimming is wonderful for putting topline on show horses. An early season session of four or five days and then a once-a-week visit after that really maintains the tone and seems to keep them alert and fresh for the ring."
And there has been no shortage of stars at the Horses Health Farm. They include Stanwick Ghost, the famous grey three-day event horse owned by Lady Hartington and piloted by top rider Ian Stark and the pure Arab gelding Cumbria Czar, the new British champion endurance horse now sold to Sheik Mohammed, was on a swimming programme prior to his victory.
Two years ago Stuart and Gail decided to open to the public. The sign "See the horses swim" attracts a fascinated audience to the centre through the summer. "They find it quite enthralling."
Back to the pool and Henry emerges from his final dip. As he stands to be rubbed down theres a quiver across his back. But dont mistake it for shiver. So effective is this treatment that even after two short swims, the toning of this geldings muscles is already starting to happen.