Aquatic therapy including swimming and underwater treadmill work provides effective rehabilitation for horses recovering from musculoskeletal injuries while reducing pain and load on healing tissues.
Rehabilitation from serious musculoskeletal injury is challenging for horses: stall rest is boring and stressful, while premature return to exercise risks reinjury. Aquatic therapy offers a middle path — horses can exercise, experience environmental stimulation, and rebuild muscle and cardiovascular fitness without placing dangerous loads on healing tissues. The buoyancy of water also reduces the pain associated with weight-bearing during recovery. Horses often visibly enjoy swimming sessions, suggesting that hydrotherapy benefits behavioral welfare alongside physical recovery.