"Rehabilitation increases success of therapy and reduces risk of relapse"

In equine medicine, the focus on rehabilitation is growing. Morgan Lashley, European sports medicine & rehabilitation specialist at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and Fenna Elzinga, owner of rehabilitation centre Lelymare, have both been convinced of the importance of rehabilitation for years. They enjoy working together in this field. Rehabilitation after surgery or treatment increases the success rate of the therapy and reduces the risk of relapse.

"There was a demand from animal owners for help with managing horses after surgery or treatment; they often went home with a whole load of questions," explains Morgan Lashley. Initially, there was a plethora of self-appointed 'experts'. "Fortunately, there are now rehabilitation centres that adopt a professional approach, and there is growing confidence among vets in professional support, because it produces positive results."

Rehabilitation in human medicine is the norm, but that is not yet the case in equine medicine. Not every vet has the facilities in house, and a rehabilitation programme at a rehabilitation centre is usually intensive and therefore often expensive. Lashley: "It helps if problems are identified at an early stage. For example, if animal owners check a horse's tendons and spine daily, they can spot problems earlier and prevent further problems from developing."

A wealth of facilities for rehabilitation

The Lelymare rehabilitation centre has a wealth of facilities for rehabilitating horses. As well as outdoor stalls, an indoor arena, paddocks and pastures, there is also training equipment – a vibration plate, among other things for blood circulation, and an aqua trainer for exercise. The horses can also be ridden and hand trained. Fenna Elzinga, owner of Lelymare: "A horse’s needs vary hugely, so a vet, a physiotherapist and a farrier are always part of the process here. And I regularly consult with the owner to get Lashley involved too, to check the musculoskeletal system and improve the rehabilitation schedule."

Racehorse and show jumper Bercy is one of the horses in the stables at the rehabilitation centre. Bercy was referred by Lashley from Utrecht University’s Horse Clinic, after consultation with the owner. On her monthly visit to the rehabilitation centre, Lashley examines the horse and gives Elzinga advice on training. Lashley also explains her advice to the horse’s owner. Elzinga: "I think it’s important for an owner to understand what is happening. The biggest compliment is when people say that they’re glad they went through this rehabilitation phase, that they now have more knowledge and that their horse is better than it was before."

Confidence in working with rehabilitation experts

And what does the future hold? "I hope the confidence vets have in working with rehabilitation experts continues to grow. That vets tell their clients that their expertise stops here and they will get further guidance from another expert," says Lashley. Elzinga: "I agree. I believe in involving everyone based on their own particular expertise."

In addition, Lashley promises a greater focus on equine rehabilitation in education. "We’ll soon be delivering a lecture and tutorial on spine-related problems and rehabilitation for the first time. We’ve also applied to the European Commission for a medical specialisation in sports medicine and rehabilitation."

Combining professional practice and research

In addition, Lashley herself wants to do more research and develop protocols for rehabilitation. "Currently, I write training programmes based on my many years of experience in professional practice and current knowledge in the field of equine and sports medicine and rehabilitation. In the future, I want to make rehabilitation in horses more scientifically based. So it’s great to be in a place where I can combine professional practice and research."

Text: Renske Belt | Image: Bas Niemans