Facilities

The Equine (Panama) Spa

The equine spa is probably the most used of all our facilities. The whole idea of an equine spa dates back to when Jump Racing's phenomenon 'Red Rum' was, in his early days, plagued by a potentially crippling foot disease which could have ended his career. Then Ginger McCain took him on and banished him to the sea, he trained all his horses on Southport beach and within weeks he was fit and ready to run. As they say the rest is history! Since then the techno supremo's have been busy developing, and we have the fruits of their labour.

                                                                                                   

Equine Spa (Head-on view)

The Spa is specially designed, with rubber insides to ensure the horse's safety. The average treatment time is usally around 30 minutes. During this time the horse is loaded into the spa, and the ramps and front bars shut. Water is then filled to between their knees and the top of their legs. The pumps are then activated and water jets and bubbles to create a jacuzzi effect. At the end, the water is drained and filtered, ready for the next patient. If their lucky, usually during this time they're fed fresh grass!

 

'Hazytoo's' legs submerged in the jacuzzi bubbles

The professionals say that using chilled, aerated, saline water maintained between 2 and 4°C, the Equine Spa helps to reduce swelling and encourage healing of lower leg injuries and also hardens tendons and ligaments. The saline water ensures that the wound is kept thoroughly clean and together with the oxygenating jets increases blood circulation which speeds tissue re-growth and reduces overall healing time.

(Right) is recent winner Hazytoo enjoying his time on the Spa!

 

The Equine Swimming Pool

Rathmoy also has access to a swimming pool approximately a hundred metres from its front door. Swimming is an excellent form of exercise and uses most of the muscles normally used when exercising. It has many benefits, which include:

 It improves muscle tone

It improves the cardiovascular system and respiratory system as the lungs and heart work harder under water.

10 minutes swimming is equivalent to about an hour schooling.

It improves general fitness and stamina.

It is helpful in recovery from injury or operation where the horse cannot be ridden on hard ground.

It makes the horses exercise programme more interesting.

The swimming pool is round which is an advantage because the horse can stay in the pool and do a number of laps without having to come out and go back in which is less stressful for the horse. The pool is generally cold water which is beneficial as it discourages the growth of unhealthy bacteria in the water and it helps to keep the horse cool, as they give off enormous amounts of heat whilst being swum. Many vets recommend equine Hydrotherapy services to their clients after a soft tissue injury or other illness which may typically cause the horse to lose condition.

 

 

The Five Horse Walker

Horse walkers are very effective for many different reasons. Here at Rathmoy, we use ours to help horses that have been on sustained periods of box rest back into work gradually, or to help keep horses with small injuries ‘ticking over’. It can also be used to help horses that usually come out of their box a little ‘stiff’ to loosen up a bit more before exercise. Or if a horse comes back from exercise a little hot, they can go on the walker for a short time to help them to relax and cool down.

Rathmoy Stables's Five Horse Walker