Abstract
The objective of the current study is to evaluate the effects of both proactive and therapeutic use of a TheraPlate (TheraPlate, Weatherford, TX) on the frequency and severity of equine lameness. The TheraPlate is a piece of machinery that uses low-intensity vibrations to loosen the joints and muscles of horses to treat various diseases or conditions. Fourteen jumping-seat equine athletes from the University of Tennessee at Martin Equestrian team were chosen based on their medical history--that is, whether or not they were prone to being unsound in the past--and divided into two groups of seven [the control (CON) and the experimental group (THPL)]. Horses in the CON group only use the TheraPlate should they be diagnosed with a disease or condition that is treatable with the TheraPlate. The THPL group receives treatment every time they are ridden (whether for a practice, scrimmage, or competition). Treatment on the plate consists of a work-down from one hundred to zero (level of intensity) for twenty minutes. Each horse in the study is ridden three to five times weekly, including hour-long practices and a two- to three-hour scrimmage. Lameness is graded on a scale of zero to five by the Equestrian team assistant coach pre- and post-riding. Any horse receiving a pre-riding grade greater than zero will not be ridden at that session. Rather, the horse is treated with the TheraPlate, placed under observation, and reevaluated within twenty-four hours. Preliminary results will be presented. The results should reveal whether the proactive use of a TheraPlate decreases the frequency and/or severity of lameness in jumping-seat horses.
Keywords: lameness, horses, vibration therapy