OUR SERVICES

Diagnostic Services

Digital Radiographs For Immediate On Site Image Viewing

Time is of the essence when needing to diagnose an injury in one of your horses, that is why Scatter Creek Training Facility uses digital radiography. One of the first diagnostics used to evaluate lameness is radiography. Our DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHY allows for greater detail and the images are produced quicker due to each scan being processed by a computer.

Diagnostic Serivces

Ultrasound Detecting

Scatter Creek Training Facility is prepared to diagnose soft tissue injuries with ultrasound technology, high frequency sound waves. With wounds and soft tissue injuries, ultrasound can help to determine if the joint or other synovial structure (such as a tendon sheath) has become infected.

Experienced Veterinarian

You may notice when your horse's gait is off, and that is where the Veterinarian at Scatter Creek Training Center comes in. Not only do we have state of the art equipment, we also employ experienced Veterinarians to ensure the finest care for your horses.

Therapeutic Treatments

Aquapacer - Cold Water Spa and Conditioner

Underwater treadmill exercise has been used extensively in Europe for the conditioning of performance and racehorses, and for rehabilitation of injuries.

We use our experience and the research available to tailor a program for each horse, ie. some injuries require more flexion to help range of motion, while others will require more extension. Additionally, neck and back kinematics are influenced greatly by speed, water depth, and the anatomical location of the injury. The Aquapacer is an integral part of the program we use to increase our patients' performance potential.

Hydrostatic Pressure increases neuromuscular function by stimulating cutaneous sensory nerves and joint mechanoreceptors. It promotes vascular and lymphatic drainage which reduces edema and soft tissue swelling, decreases pain, and increases range of motion.

Buoyancy reduces weight-bearing stresses on bone, joints, and soft tissues.

Water Resistance increases muscle activation and improves strength, tone, motor control, and both joint and postural stability (postural stability is particularly important as it keeps the horse from off-loading onto other limbs while exercising.) Additionally, when higher water levels are applied, the horse attempts to minimize the resistance and thus increases the height of its stride arc, causing an increase in the flexion of hip, stifle, and hock articulations. This in turn encourages the horse to engage the musculature of the hind end. (Scott, et al. 2010)

Range of Motion improves when walking on an underwater treadmill. Promoting range of motion prevents joint contracture and soft tissue adaptive shortening, and gives the horse its best opportunity to return to an athletic career. Different water depths affect the amount of flexion and extension of various joints, and also changes the biomechanical responses of the back. In humans, underwater treadmill exercise following orthopedic surgery and total knee replacement decreased pain, joint effusion, joint stiffness, and improved joint function overall.

Vibration Plate

Whole-body vibration (WBV) therapy is one of the most potent therapeutic tools in the equestrian’s proverbial toolbox. Studies have shown it stimulates muscles and improves circulation, boosting the body’s ability to heal itself. Horses that receive regular vibration therapy sessions also perform better and are less injury prone.

IRAP, PRP & Stem Cell Therapies

IRAP is an effective intra-articular treatment for joint disease. The IRAP system has been designed to stimulate the horses’ own white blood cells to produce anti-inflammatory mediators and enzymes that can reduce the inflammation present as a result of degenerative joint disease. IRAP works by amplifying the production of anti-inflammatory and regenerative proteins already found in the patient’s own blood. The large amount of “good” proteins are then extracted and injected into the affected joint of the horse to assist in the repair and recovery of the joint.

PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) is used to treat tendons, ligaments and wounds. Platelets are rich in growth factors that help repair tissue and ligaments more quickly. Blood is drawn from the horse and spun in a centrifuge where PRP is cultivated and harvested. The platelet rich serum is then used to treat the injury or wound. The PRP increases the effectiveness and efficiency of the growth factors, speeding up the healing process.

Stem Cell Therapy can be used to treat superficial digital flexor tendon (SDF), stifle injuries and suspensory lesions. Adult bone derived stem cells are generally collected from the horse’s hip or sternum.

Cold Laser Therapy

Cold Laser Therapy, works by directing a non-invasive source of cold energy – a low-temperature and low-light laser – to the source of pain, inflammation or injury on an equine using a small cold laser. Cold Laser Therapy stimulates healing using low – or cold – light emitted through handheld devices, providing ease of transport and comfort for the user.