Aquatherapy

Serra Valley Farms offers the unique and rare service of aquatherapy. This exercise process allows to condition the cardiovascular and muscular systems of the horse to produce an equine “super athlete”, without the strain on joints, tendons and bone mass associated with normal everyday impact with the ground. Young horses especially benefit from aquatherapy due to their tendons and joints growing and changing.  All breeds of horses in any discipline, whether it is racing, dressage, jumping, driving, etc. will benfit from this program!This process also greatly aids in the healing process for an injured horse as rehabilitation. Aquatherapy allows for work and exercise, allowing the cardiovascular system to work as it would in normal activity, strengthening muscles and tendons without straining them. Necessary nutrients are carried faster through the bloodstream in an active horse and therefore healing time is reduced.The water provides buoyancy and takes 40-60% of the horses weight off the legs. This allows the horse to stay in condition while healing an injury. Warm water, combined with water and air jets improves circulation which relaxes the muscles and relieves soreness. This therapy is meant to speed recovery time and to get your horse back to it’s regular routine.Therapeutic Healing and Conditioning The natural properties of water: buoyancy, high resistance, hydrostatic pressure and its thermal effect have unparalleled therapeutic benefits that have been utilized for centuries. Hydrokinetic exercise is facilitated by using the horse’s own natural movement on a non-slip, solid surface treadmill.The Aquatic Treadmill workout is unparalleled for therapeutic healing and conditioning. Horses and ponies are encouraged to use the same muscles, ligaments and tendons that are employed in traditional land-based exercise but without the stress and trauma. Therapeutic sessions in the Aquatic Treadmill can be fully customized to each horse or pony through variable water heights, variable treadmill speeds and variable water temperatures.Benefits include: reduced weight bearing, reduced impact on limbs, soft tissue mobilization, modulation and reduction of pain, joint decompression, reduction of friction between articulating joints, hydrostatic pressure to assist blood flow and reduce swelling. The FacilityA heated indoor year-round facilityThe pool is 3′ wide x 46′ long with a 12′ treadmillWater is heated, 4′-5′ deepIncludes 16 water jets, 4 on each leg and 16 air jets10′x12′ drying stalls with forced warm airShort and long term stalls available for layupsTrailered horses welcome and encouragedBy appointments only