A new study is underway to explore the use of balance pads in equine rehabilitation and performance care. Dr. Maureen Kelleher, a specialist in equine surgery and sports medicine, is leading the research, aiming to collect data from equine professionals through a survey.
The study focuses on understanding how balance pads are used in the equine industry, their applications in rehabilitation, and the resources professionals rely on for their recommendations.
The field of equine rehabilitation is rapidly expanding, with balance pads becoming a popular tool for treating musculoskeletal and neuromuscular injuries and preventing performance-related issues. However, there is limited research on their use, effectiveness, and the types of professionals incorporating them into therapeutic plans.
The insights from this study may help shape future research projects and provide evidence-based guidance for the use of balance pads in equine care.
The Study Objectives
- Identify the types of equine professionals who recommend or use balance pads.
- Document the common conditions for which balance pads are utilized.
- Explore the resources professionals use when integrating balance pads into rehabilitation plans.
Dr. Kelleher’s study is testing several hypotheses:
- Non-veterinarian equine professionals are more likely to use balance pads than veterinarians.
- Balance pads are primarily used for rehabilitation rather than postural stability.
- They are more commonly applied to axial skeletal conditions (e.g., back issues) than appendicular conditions (e.g., limb injuries).
- Veterinary professionals rely more on experience-based resources than experimental data when using balance pads.
Equine professionals are invited to participate in the survey to share their experiences and insights. The survey link can be accessed here.
Dr. Kelleher encourages sharing the survey with other equine specialists to broaden the scope of data collected.
This research has the potential to enhance evidence-based practices in equine rehabilitation, paving the way for more effective treatments and improved equine welfare. Stay tuned for updates as the study progresses!
