Mechanisms of aquatic therapy and its potential use in managing equine osteoarthritis

Authors
M. R. King, K. K. Haussler, C. E. Kawcak, C. W. McIlwraith and R. F. Reiser
Date
April 2013
Journal
Equine Veterinary Education
Volume
25
Number
4
Pages
204-209

Aquatic therapy has become increasingly popular in its use for rehabilitation of equine musculoskeletal injuries. Unfortunately, there has been no scientific evaluation of its clinical application for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) or associated musculoskeletal injuries in horses. The purpose of this review is to describe mechanisms of action of aquatic therapy and its potential use in the clinical management of equine OA.