Hydrotherapy for horses, including water treadmills and spa therapy, has an expanding evidence base for rehabilitation benefits and welfare outcomes following injury and surgery.
Equine hydrotherapy offers genuine welfare benefits by enabling exercise during rehabilitation when traditional movement would cause harm or pain. Horses recovering from tendon injuries, post-surgical procedures, and conditions like laminitis can maintain fitness and prevent the negative welfare effects of prolonged confinement while protecting healing tissues. The therapeutic benefit must be weighed against the stress of introduction to novel water environments for horses not previously exposed to hydrotherapy. Gradual, positive reinforcement-based introduction protocols are essential to prevent the hydrotherapy facility itself from becoming a source of fear and stress that undermines treatment benefit.