Balneotherapy for horses: benefits, procedure and advice
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What is equine balneotherapy?
equine balneotherapy is the use of water as treatment for horses. Nothing fancy: your horse dives into cold, warm or salty water, sometimes moving, to relieve, strengthen or recover.
The sessions take place in pools, aquatic treadmills or jet spas. The goal: reduce muscle tension, stimulate circulation, and above all preserve the joints, because water carries the weight of the horse.
It is a non-invasive, natural treatment, which perfectly complements training or rehabilitation. A bit like a physio pool, but XXL version.
Where does this method come from and why it is increasingly used
Equine balneotherapy is not new. Racehorses were entitled to it long before it became "fashionable". It was already common in English stables in the 1980s. In France, the concept became more widespread in the 2010s with equine care centers.
Today, all disciplines use the balneotherapy: show jumping, dressage, eventing, endurance... We even see school ponies going through it. Why this craze?
Simple: No need for medication
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Little risk
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Results visible from 2-3 sessions
We saw a trotter, stiff as a board after a hamstring sprain, regain flexibility after 10 days of balneotherapy alternating with rest. Bluffing.
Which horses is balneotherapy suitable for?
1. Sporting horses
An athletic horse suffers from constant microtrauma. Balneotherapy prevents them from becoming chronic. It is also a secret weapon to improve recovery after exercise.
Concretely:
- Less aches
- Less inflammation
- Fewer injuries
We know of an eventing stable that includes 2 sessions per week in the routine of its leading horses. Result: fewer stops, more regularity, and more relaxed horses in competitions.
2. Horses recovering or injured
After a sprain, tendinitis or an operation, complete rest is not always ideal. You have to move without forcing. Water makes this possible.
She carries the weight, but the horse continues to walk, to stretch its muscles, to maintain its breath. It’s movement without impact.
Example: after a micro-hip fracture, a club horse was restarted in the spa before even returning to the paddock. He returned to normal activity 2 months earlier than expected.
3. Aged horses or horses suffering from osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the number 1 enemy of old horses. The pain limits movement, and the less they move, the worse it gets. Balneotherapy breaks this vicious circle.
In water:
- Joints are relieved
- The muscles are gently mobilized
- The horse regains a taste for movement
An old gelding that I sometimes ride, now 25 years old, could no longer stand long walks. Since he does one balneotherapy session per week, he sets off on a leisurely trot without grimacing.
Can we do balneotherapy on a young horse?
Yes, but not just any way. For a growing young person, we avoid sessions that are too long or too deep. The objective: get used to water, strengthen without fatigue.
Balneotherapy can also help correct an asymmetry, an irregular gait, or simply preparing a young body for future effort.
A foal that was a little stiff in the hindquarters in my old stable gained flexibility after a few times in a shallow pool. And he loved it.
What are the benefits of balneotherapy for a horse?
Physical and muscular recovery
One of the most visible effects: accelerated recovery after exercise. After a jumping session, a race or an intense training session, the horse accumulates metabolic waste in its muscles (lactic acid, CO₂). Cold or moving water accelerates their evacuation.
In water, the muscles work without joint impact. The horse remains active, but without becoming more tired. Result:
- Less stiffness
- Less fatigue
- More fluidity in movements the next day
- In certain eventing or racing stables, we use the balneotherapy just after the competitions. We clearly see the difference between a horse that comes home broken... and another that trots peacefully the next day.
Joint Pain Relief
Water acts as a natural painkiller. Particularly for horses suffering from:
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Osteoarthritis
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Chronic tendonitis
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Joint overload
The flotation relieves pressure on the joints, while the gentle movement stimulates the lubrication of the cartilages. No injection, no medication, no side effects.
An old pony from the equestrian center was holding back at the fetlock level. As soon as he went to a spa with jets, his limbs deflated, and he galloped off again.
The Doctor Vincent Lardeux, veterinarian specializing in equine rehabilitation, confirms that balneotherapy is an effective lever against persistent joint pain (source: Revue Technique Equine 2022).
Improved circulation and tone
The water pressure, combined with the controlled temperature, acts as a natural drainage. It stimulates:
- The venous return
- The lymphatic system
- Thetissue oxygenation
The horse recovers better, but above all, it gains muscle tone, particularly in the abdominals, back and hindquarters. It’s fine work, often invisible at first, but lasting.
On a horse that we thought had a “soft knee”, a few sessions in the pool are sometimes enough to wake up the machine. The effect is felt in the saddle: more thrust, better posture.
Stress and mental management
A stressed or anxious horse has difficulty learning, recovering and performing. The water relaxes. The temperature, the movement, the absence of external pressure... everything in balneotherapy promotes a peaceful mental state.
Some nervous horses end up falling asleep in the spa. Others, fearful of entering the water at first, end up going voluntarily. It’s a great tool for:
- Hypersensitive horses
- Young people discovering work
- Horses burn out after a busy season
In a stable where many retired racers work, the spa has become a key step in mental withdrawal. Before even getting back on it, we offer them a calm treatment.
The IFCE (French Horse and Equestrian Institute) recognizes the positive impact of balneotherapy on the overall well-being of the horse, particularly on recovery and stress. post-exercise.
How does an equine balneotherapy session take place?
Equipment used (swimming pool, spa, aquatic treadmill, etc.)
It all depends on the center. There are three main types of equipment:
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The horse pool: large circular or rectangular pool. The horse swims, without contact with the ground. It’s excellent for cardio and core strength.
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The aquatic treadmill: carpet immersed in temperate water. The horse walks at an adjustable pace. Ideal for rehabilitation or targeted strengthening.
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The equine spa: small cabin filled with cold water, often salty. Jets massage the limbs. Perfect for draining, reducing swelling, relieving pain.
Some centers also offer bubble baths, showers with targeted jets, or even water basins. whirlpool. The objective remains the same: to combine flotation, resistance, massage and controlled temperature.
We saw a stiff walker leave soft after 4 aquatic mat sessions. A dressage horse treated his wheels with a cold spa treatment. The effects are sometimes impressive.
Typical stages of a session
A session lasts between 20 and 45 minutes depending on the objective. It takes place in several phases.
- Preparation
We brush the horse, we check the condition of the limbs. Some centers add a walk to relax. - Entering the water
The horse is gently guided. A non-slip ramp or step is often used. Some equipment requires limb protection. - Working in water
On treadmill: slow or fast pace, in a straight line.
In swimming pool: free or guided swimming.
In spa: the horse remains static, the water acts. - Exit and recovery
We shower, we dry off, we sometimes massage. Many horses yawn or stretch spontaneously afterwards.
In some centers, we finish with 10 minutes of walking at a walking pace, relaxed lunge. This helps reactivate circulation after floating.
What the horse generally feels (apprehension or pleasure?)
The first time, many hesitate. The water, the noise, the feeling of floating... it's not natural. But from the second or third session, we see horses coming back on their own.
Once inside, the majority visibly relax. The ears relax, the nostrils open, the eyes half-closed. Some literally fall asleep in the spa.
We have seen stressed horses become calm after a few sessions. Others, with stiff backs, find good locomotion again. There is a real emotional benefit. And it shows.
Where can your horse benefit from balneotherapy (or Thalasso) treatment?
Specialized centers in France (structure or directory)
Equine balneotherapy centers are developing quickly. Today we find them in all regions. Many are installed in:
- veterinary clinics
- sports stables
- equine fitness structures
Known examples:
- Equi Haromnia: near Lyon
- The Domaine du Moulin: in Haute-Savoie
- Needwell : in Normandy
- MP Balnéo : in Sarthe
- Domaine de Sauboméa : in Lot et Garonne
- Balnéo Sport Horse: near Paris
- Alix’s stables: in the South West
- EquiD form: in the Camargue
What are the criteria for choosing a center?
Before sending your horse, we check a few points:
- Veterinarian supervision or trained caregiver
- Water hygiene (disinfection, filtration, controlled temperature)
- Equipment maintained and secured
- Adaptation of care to the horse's profile (age, discipline, pathology)
A good center takes the time to ask questions, observes the horse before the first session, and adjusts the duration or type of exercise.
Some even offer complete assessments with progress monitoring (photos, videos, behavior notes).
Is it possible to provide certain care at home?
Yes, within a certain limit. We cannot recreate a professional spa in a paddock, but we can use simple aquatic treatments:
- Prolonged cold shower on the tendons (10 min per limb)
- Foot bath in a basin of salt water to soothe clogs
- Walking in shallow water (calm river, safe beach)
Attention: no stagnant water, no strong current, and never unsupervised. We can also use cold pockets cryo type to replace a localized spa.
We know a rider who walks her mare across a ford twice a week. It has become his post-trotting ritual. Less swelling, less lameness. Simple and effective.
Balneotherapy, osteopathy, equine physiotherapy: what are the differences?
Complementary or substitute care?
Balneotherapy does not replace the osteopath or the equine physiotherapist. She completes their work. We act here on the whole body, in depth, without direct manipulation.
- Theosteopath acts punctually, with his hands, on blockages, tensions, imbalances.
- The equine physiotherapist (or physiotherapist) offers targeted rehabilitation exercises.
- balneotherapy helps to maintain, strengthen or relax continuously.
We can also combine the three in a treatment protocol. A horse coming out of tendinitis often goes through:
- Osteopath (realignment)
- Physiotherapy (controlled stretching)
- Balneotherapy (muscle maintenance, drainage)
This is what a center in the southwest practices, with very good results on show jumping and club horses. Fewer relapses, more comfort.
When should you consult a veterinarian first?
Before any session, we check that the horse does not present any contraindications:
- Fever
- Infection in progress
- Open wound
- Acute respiratory disorder
- As soon as we observe lameness, sudden stiffness, abnormal swelling, we consult first a veterinarian. He alone makes a reliable diagnosis.
The veterinarian can then direct you towards a treatment protocol incorporating spa therapy if necessary. The IFCE reminds that balneotherapy, like any therapy, requires a adapted indication.
How much does a balneotherapy session cost for a horse?
Average prices observed
The price depends on the center, the equipment and the level of supervision. On average, a session costs between:
- 40 and 70 € for a aquatic treadmill
- 50 to 80 € for a spa session
- €60 to 100 for a pool session
Some well-equipped centers charge more, especially if the session is accompanied by an assessment or additional treatment (massage, stretching, etc.).
We have seen clubs offering this type of session in addition to premium half-board. It’s a good loyalty lever.
Possibility of packages or complete treatments
For a real effect, we often recommend a cure of 5 to 10 sessions spread over 2 to 3 weeks. The centers then offer decreasing packages:
- 5 session package: 220 to 350 €
- 10 session package: €400 to €650
Some centers include complete care: horse accommodation, feeding, daily care. Useful if the horse must stay on site for several days.
You can also request “à la carte” packages: spa + osteo, mat + massage… This allows you toadapt according to real needs.
We continue with the last part of the plan: What do the owners and horses think of it?
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