StableManagement.com is always on the lookout to help farm and stable owners make the most of their facilities and even add new services to enhance the bottom line. We are going to look at three separate therapies that could be added to your facility. These won’t be suitable for every farm or stable, and some owners or managers will need to bring in an expert to handle the equipment, but consider these as options when you are looking to expand your services.

Historically many therapies have been reserved for treating injuries or for use in post-surgery rehabilitation. Today therapies have expanded in definition and scope and now play a significant role in injury prevention. With an increased interest by horse owners in therapy systems both for injury prevention and rehabilitation, stable owners and barn managers have an opportunity to provide additional services to boarders, training clients or outsiders while generating additional revenue for your facility.

Cold-compression systems are one type of therapy that stables can consider. Cold-compression therapy aids in maintaining healthy tendons and ligaments post-exercise.

“Ice is analgesic, and when alternating with pressure, it helps move fluid,” said Northeast Performance Equine’s Carol Vischer, DVM, MS, DACVIM, Certified International Veterinary Acupuncture Society, Certified American Veterinary Chiropractic Association. “It (cold compression) is a nice way to help move blood supply and fluids and decrease pain.”

Northeast Performance Equine is located near Rhinebeck, New York.

“I am a big proponent of icing for prevention of potential injuries,” explained Brenda McDuffee, general manager of The Sanctuary Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation Center. “It (cold systems) help break the heat cycle and increase circulation.”

Full-service rehabilitation centers such as The Sanctuary, which is based in Florida, offer a cold salt water leg spa, which provides a “full-body” submersion, a machine that is too costly for most stables.

However, there are economical systems that range from basic ice boots to whirlpool boots, wraps with gel packs, to complete systems to regulate the amount of and duration of alternating pressure applied to the area provide affordable options. Prices range from $200 for the most basic wraps to $6,000 for complete systems.

“These systems cannot provide the same level of therapy as a leg-spa, but they do what they say they are going to do as far as being a preventative therapy,” McDuffee said.

Learn more about the types of cold compression systems available and how they may be a good fit for your barn and clients. Visit the websites below to get started.

Bio Compression www.biocompression.com/Products/Equine-BioCryo.aspx

Equifit www.equifit.net/

Game Ready www.gamereadyequine.com/science/ColdTherapy.htm

Hassinger Equine Service www.hassingerequineservice.com/coldcompression.htm

Ice Horse www.icehorse.net

Cold Compression Therapy For Horses