By adjusting the height of the water in the treadmill, we can change the way the horse exercises 🌊
As the water level is increased, the horse gradually begins to lift each limb higher, in attempt to step OVER the water. This requires recruitment of muscles in the upper limbs and pelvis and causes engagement of the core musculature.
As the water continues to rise, resistance increases. The horse further engages through the core and back to move THROUGH the water.
Notice the change in the height of the horse’s step and the increase in motion through her back as the water rises in these three videos 👏
Contrary to popular belief 😅 PSA: VRSVA Gordonsville team members Hayden and Holly are actually NOT the same person, or twins, or even related!
#fridayfun #vrsva #twinning
Tomorrow is our final day of Adult Horse Camp and it has been SO much fun! A truly lovely group of open-minded equestrians willing to have fun and learn lots of new things ❤️
Wednesday we worked with Mark and Mimi Combs and learned salsa dancing with Gammon Castellvi in the afternoon!
Today we rode a wonderful and fun hunterpace course and learned how to paint our horses in the afternoon! 🎨
#vrsva #equestrian #equestriancamp #horsecamp
Equine rehab spotlight 🌟🐎
This horse has a sub-palpebral lavage (SPL) system in place, allowing for administration of medications into the eye. Medications are injected into a port located at the base of the mane. The solutions travel through the flexible, narrow tubing which extends through the eyelid. A small footplate sits flush with the underside of the lid. Horses typically tolerate this method of medication administration much better than direct application into the eye. The mask seen in this video protects the system and the injured eye.
Our team is well-versed in these systems and are happy to manage care of these critical eye cases at VRSVA in collaboration with your veterinarian!
#vrsva #equinerehab #equineveterinarian
Tiki loves rehab so much he pays for it himself 😎
#vrsva #caninerehab #vrsvarva
Training a dog to look forward to a muzzle is a great way to help your veterinarian! This wonderful dog is a good boy, but when we have to recheck his injured areas, mom wants to be safe — not sorry. And since he LOVES licking frozen baby food, he can’t get his nose into his muzzle fast enough!
#vrsva #caninerehab #muzzletraining #caninerehabilitation
Kira has been coming in weekly for rehab at VRSVA to stay strong since her degenerative myelopathy (DM) diagnosis. She utilizes a wheelchair when at home, but LOVES getting in the underwater treadmill at rehab! The buoyancy makes it possible for her to walk and stay strong! We are 18 months from diagnosis and staying strong! 💪 ❤️
Learn more about DM by reading our latest educational article on our website — “Understanding Degenerative Myelopathy in Canines and the Role of Rehabilitation” — via the link in our bio!
Horses on stall rest need time outside to graze, hand walk and take care of the itchy spots on a nearby tree! This girl is enjoying her morning trip outside before today’s bandage change.
#vrsva #equinerehab #rehabsuccess
Fresh grass is an important part of the equine diet. Our rehab horses often cannot have turnout during the first part of their stay, but they are hand grazed several times per day to keep fresh green grass traveling through their digestive tracts.
Nikki brought a little of outside in with her today 😀🌾
🎓 Opie, who was rehabbing a femoral head osteotomy at VRSVA FXBG - graduated his rehab protocol yesterday! Way to go, Opie ❤️
#vrsva #felinerehabilitation #vrsvafxbg #rehabsuccessstory
