Sam, with his tail braided and wrapped, was clean and ready for his upcoming therapy session.

Two trainers led him into a small room, where a long, narrow tube housing an underwater treadmill waited to be fired up. They walked him in, one trainer in front, one in back. The equine treadmill kicked to life, and Sam began to walk. Soon, warm water began to rise from the floor.

“Sam loves his tank,” said Cathi Mayo, owner of Penn Valley Equine Aquatics.

The tank is the AquaPacer Underwater Treadmill System, by FERNO, and key in the therapy offered at Penn Valley Equine Aquatics, which provides rehabilitation and conditioning services for horses and dogs.

“We can do any size,” Mayo noted.

She owns and operates Maple Leaf Stables, from which Penn Valley Equine Aquatics is run. Maple Leaf Stables has been open for more than 20 years and offers lessons, boarding and events on 20 acres.

“It just clicked: The facility is perfect for rehab,” Mayo said of deciding to offer the services almost two years ago.

Her husband of 27 years, John, designed most of the buildings on the property.

“The whole property has been a project since day one,” she said jokingly.

The AquaPacer

The chestnut horse's injury, a ligament strain, is fully healed; the 5-year old conditions twice a week. Trained to use the AquaPacer for more than a year, Sam is calm and comfortable with the process.

“Once trained, they are trained forever,” Mayo said.

Penn Valley Equine Aquatics is one of about 55 facilities worldwide housing the AquaPacer. The water reduces impact on limbs by bearing up to 60 percent of the animal's weight and reduces rehabilitation time by 50 percent.

Water tightens the skin and increases blood flow, which encourages healing, Mayo explained.

While the traditional rehabilitation process of stall rest and hand-walking can result in muscle loss, the AquaPacer allows the animal to condition during the recovery process.

It can be used for post-surgery rehabilitation, tendon problems and more; the most common injuries seen are ligament strains and tears.

During the rehabilitation process, animals stay at Penn Valley Equine Aquatics for five to seven weeks and do 20-minute sessions several times a week. Horses are sedated before their first five sessions and the sedation level is lowered each time. After the recovery process, animals are welcome for outpatient-style conditioning sessions.

Penn Valley Equine Aquatics caters to the mental state of animals as well; many are traumatized from their injury or anxious and pent up from stall rest.

“Now they have a way to deal with that energy,” said Mayo.

Water therapy

Sam's water reached chest height, ideal for bearing the majority of his weight. His stride became longer and more rhythmic as the water rose. He settled into an extended walk, never running or trotting.

When the session is complete, the water slowly receded and Sam was led out of the tube, looking satisfied.

Penn Valley Equine Aquatics also offers the Priefert PanelWalker, similar to a treadmill, and GameReady Equine, a dry cold compression.

Therapy sessions range in price, starting at around $15.

Mayo has five employees and a veterinarian on call. She hopes to make a documentary illustrating the AquaPacer's measurable results and is exploring opening an equine surgical site on her property.

“The biggest thing is that it is rewarding,” Mayo said of her work. “I love it.”

To contact Reader Liaison Angela Diaz, e-mail adiaz@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4203.