-The concept of using cold as a therapeutic agent dates back to ancient civilizations, where ice and snow were used to treat ailments and injuries. However, the modern application of Cryotherapy began to take shape in the 1970s when it was used more systematically for pain management and inflammation reduction in human athletes. This approach has also been used in equine care for decades, offering a non-invasive solution to accelerate recovery, reduce pain, and enhance overall performance in horses.
Cryotherapy is a noninvasive, subzero technique that can be game-changing for our horses. As a veterinarian who has used this therapy for many years, let’s take some time to explore its benefits and learn why it has been included as one of the essentials of equine care. Join us here at Front Range Equine Performance as we uncover how this treatment can remarkably improve your horse's health and performance.
What Is Cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy, commonly referred to as cold therapy, involves exposing the body to cold temperatures for several minutes. The science behind Cryotherapy is rooted in its ability to induce a rapid constriction of blood vessels, followed by a dilation as the body warms back up. This process, known as vasoconstriction, reduces blood flow to the treated areas, greatly decreasing inflammation and swelling. Once the treatment ends and the tissues warm back up, there is a natural increase in blood flow, which enhances oxygen and nutrient delivery, speeding up the recovery process.
Understanding Equine Cryotherapy
For horses, we use various methods of Cryotherapy, including localized treatments targeting specific areas all the way to whole-body exposure. Localizing the use of cold targets decreases tissue temperatures, preventing further tissue and reducing pain, which will be discussed further in this blog. Whole body exposure, on the other hand,
Current scientific literature concerning both whole body and partial body Cryotherapies (WBC and PBC) confirm the safety and benefits of Cryotherapy for veterinary use, as multiple research studies have noted that low temperatures provide pain relief and aid recovery by diminishing inflammation through vascular response, slowing metabolism, and altering the production of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators. Ultimately, the intense cold stimulates the horse's natural healing mechanisms, making it a great tool for equine therapists and veterinarians.
Equine Cryotherapy helps to:
- Pain Relief: The cold exposure numbs the treated area, providing immediate relief from chronic pain and soreness, making it ideal for performance horses. Rooted in an understanding of Melzack's Gate Control Theory of Pain, Cryotherapy restricts pain signals through “closing” the gate for cold sensitive receptors at spinal level. The mechanisms by which equine Cryotherapy addresses pain relief is via a reduction in nerve conduction velocity (NCV) and muscle spasms.
- Reduce Inflammation: The cold reduces swelling and inflammation, which can be beneficial for horses recovering from injuries or surgeries. Similarly to the mechanisms responsible for pain relief, cold-induced analgesia, as well as reduced cellular metabolic demands, provide inflammatory symptom alleviation.
- Enhance Recovery: By stimulating blood flow and oxygen delivery, Cryotherapy accelerates the healing process, helping horses to recover faster. Decreased collagen pliability, and the resulting reduced mobility, within injured areas, allowing for greater stabilization and healing outcomes.
- Prevent Injuries: Regular sessions can help reduce the risk of injuries by increasing the tissue's ability to withstand the stress of high-level performance.
Equine Cryotherapy can be applied to various parts of a horse's body:
- Joints and Tendons: Cryotherapy is highly effective for treating joint and tendon injuries, such as tendonitis, sprains, and arthritis. By decreasing blood flow to areas of injury, it effectively reduces inflammation and swelling, providing relief from joint and muscle pain.
- Muscles: Muscle strains and soreness can be alleviated with Cryotherapy, making it an excellent option for horses undergoing intense training or competition.
- Hooves: Cryotherapy can reduce inflammation and pain in the affected areas to treat hoof problems, including laminitis and abscesses.
- Back and Neck: Horses with back and neck pain, whether from poor saddle fit, overuse, or injury, can benefit from the soothing and anti-inflammatory effects of Cryotherapy.
- Post-Surgery: Cryotherapy can enhance post-operative care. It helps manage pain and inflammation, leading to quicker and more comfortable recovery for the horse.
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What to Expect During an Equine Cryotherapy Session
A typical Cryotherapy session for your horse is always carefully planned for both safety and effectiveness. Our equine patients are introduced to the cold environment gradually to prevent shock or discomfort, and we are with them the entire time. Depending on the method used, a session can last from a few minutes up to twenty minutes. Your veterinarian will work with you and your horse's specific needs.
During the session, your horse will have localized ice packs, ice/water slurries, or ice cold water applied to specific areas of the body. The length and frequency of these sessions are uniquely tailored to your horse's condition, injury location and the therapeutic goals set by your veterinarian. This customized approach ensures that each horse receives the optimal level of care from our team.
Optimal temperatures for equine Cryotherapy range from 10-19 degrees celsius. Reaching temperature below 10 degrees celsius can be detrimental to a horse’s healing, and, worse, may potentially even induce new tissue damage. Alternatively, with reheating of Cryotherapy affected areas, it has been found that at approximately 45 degrees celsius horses may be able to perceive pain again.
The same damage that can result from variations in temperature can also be incurred from excessive icing or utilization of tools that aren’t suitable for the current injury. For example, when limb cooling is necessary, we’ve found that ice slurries are a more effective approach than commercial ice boots, as ice slurries are able to facilitate stable tissue temperature within 10 minutes. Using the right approach and tools for Cryotherapy that address your horse’s specific injury and needs can help prevent complications from excessive icing, including ice burns and dermatitis.
While equine Cryotherapy remains a great treatment and injury prevention protocol for many horses, Cryotherapy isn’t always the best option for every horse. There are certain contraindications that may make your horse a poor candidate for Cryotherapy, including open wounds, vascular compromise, superficial nerves, and peripheral vascular disease, among others. Horse owners should always consult their veterinarian before starting any treatments, like Cryotherapy, to ensure their horse’s health and safety throughout the entirety of the process and during their recovery.
With the need for precision and careful considerations of temperatures and tools, as well as a horse’s individual health status, it is crucial to work with an experienced equine Cryotherapy specialist to achieve optimal recovery outcomes for your horse.
The Role of Cryotherapy in Conditioning and Sport
For equine athletes, staying in top physical condition is essential. Cryotherapy isn't just for recovery; it's also a fantastic preventive measure to keep your horse performing at their best. By integrating Cryotherapy into your horse’s routine, you’re investing in their long-term health and performance.
Regular Cryotherapy sessions can boost your horse’s muscular strength and endurance, improve joint function, and lower the risk of injuries during performances. For equine athletes that have been previously injured or suffer from chronic injuries, regular Cryotherapy after bouts of high-intensity exercise or training can be immensely beneficial for further injury prevention and relief of any exercise induced stress or inflammation. This approach of using equine Cryotherapy as a regular tool in your horse’s conditioning and injury prevention routine helps your equine partner remain healthy, strong, and ready to shine in their sport.
The Conclusion on Equine Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy represents a fusion of nature's simplicity and modern science's precision, offering a potent therapy that supports the health and performance of horses across all disciplines. Whether recovering from an injury or striving for peak performance, Cryotherapy provides a safe, effective, and non-invasive solution for equine wellness. As we continue to explore and understand the full capabilities of this cold therapy, its role in equine medicine seems set to expand, promising a cooler, healthier path forward for our equine companions.
For horse owners and trainers considering Cryotherapy, consulting with a knowledgeable veterinarian is imperative to tailor the treatment to the horse's specific needs and conditions. Embracing this cold therapy not only helps in managing existing conditions but also sets the stage for a future where prevention and proactive care define equine health strategies.
At Front Range Equine Performance, we are dedicated to providing advanced Cryotherapy protocols to support the health and performance of your horse. Discover how this essential therapy can make a significant difference in your equine partner’s well-being and recovery.
If you have questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (970) 368-3125, or you can email us at [email protected]. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram.