The Short-Term Effect of Underwater Treadmill Therapy on Equine Static Thoracolumbar Posture

Background: Demand for underwater treadmill (UWT) exercise in equine athletes has increased due to its perceived strengthening benefits. This study aims to investigate the impact of integrating UWT training into the work routine of show jumping horses and its effect on their static thoracolumbar (TxLx) posture.

Materials and Methods: Sixteen show jumpers were selected through nonprobability sampling. Six horses met the study criteria after clinical soundness examinations. Horses underwent UWT and data collection room habituation, before 3 weeks of biweekly 6-minute UWT sessions. Sessions included three intervals: 2 minutes of walking and 1 minute of rest, with personalized treadmill speed. Temporary landmarks were placed at thoracic vertebrae five and nine (T5 and T9), TxLx, and lumbosacral junction (LxSx) on each horse. Image capturing and data collection (DC) occurred in three phases: DC1, DC2, and DC3. Three photographs were taken of each horse during each phase. Images were standardised through pixel-to-cm ratio conversion and grid application using Kinovea software. Subsequently, distances from landmarks to the top grid line were measured.

Results: Significant changes occurred at T9 (p = 0.043) and LxSx (p = 0.028) after UWT intervention. Additionally, significant changes were seen at TxLx (p = 0.028) and LxSx (p = 0.028) during the control period.

Conclusion: This study provides insights into the effects of adding UWT training to a horse’s routine on static TxLx posture, specifically at T9 and LxSx. Limitations, including a small sample size, short intervention period, and low-intensity protocol, warrant caution in generalising these findings to a broader equine population.

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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
12. September 2025