What is Thalassotherapy?

Thalassotherapy is the therapeutic use of seawater – in the form of marine products like algae, seaweed and marine mud – to promote health and wellbeing. Repeated immersion in warm seawater, marine mud and protein-rich algae, helps restore the body's natural chemical balance. When immersed in warm seawater, the body absorbs the minerals it needs – trace elements of magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium and iodide – through the skin.

Modern thalassotherapy was pioneered in France, where they still have more thalassotherapy spas than any other country. It is literally a medical treatment, rather than just an opportunity to rest.

How and why is this used to treat horses?

EQUITHALASSO® products were created and developed in 2009 by equine osteopath and masseuse Bénédicte Lucazeau. They are approved and recommended by vets in France.

Exercise and work can put strain on the musculoskeletal system, creating a fine line between pain and performance. The goal of a fitness treatment is to give horses the opportunity to recharge their batteries, regain good morale, eliminate accumulated muscle tension as quickly as possible, and relieve the tendons. In short, the purpose is to find a vitality and overall harmony of all the locomotor functions essential to performance.

Many renowned riders use (or have used) the EQUITHALASSO® concept: William Fox-Pitt, Chester Weber, Roger-Yves Bost (for the physical recovery of some of his clients' horses)...

EQUINE ALGOTHERAPY (seaweed wraps) from EQUITHALASSO® is a collection of equine products made exclusively from raw materials extracted from the sea. These natural, drug-free, high quality products provide a variety of topical treatments tailored to your horse’s specific needs for performance, power, renewal, or recovery.

• Soothes and prepares joints and tendons to help prevent sprains and strains from heavy work or competition
• Known properties of algae help to detoxify, reduce tension and soothe muscles and tissues
• Derived naturally from the sea
• 100% drug-free (non-doping) and health-oriented
• Certified by high quality European laboratories

The products have a high concentration of mineral salts, which gives them excellent antiseptic and anti-viral properties. They are also very rich in trace elements such as:

• Magnesium (essential mineral present in bodily tissues, especially bone)
• Copper (conditions the development and resistance of bone, stimulating the formation of collagen fibres and bone metabolism)
• Manganese (essential for bone development)
• Calcium (strengthens bones; a well-developed, strong skeleton is the prerequisite for any physical performance, and for the duration of a sports career)
• Iron
• Iodine (to fix the iron) and vitamins

The algae are then micronized to release their nutritive and revitalizing properties.

Benefits for use BEFORE competition or heavy work:

• Helps to physically prepare the muscles and joints for the increased level and duration of activity
• Helps removes muscle tension to facilitate movement and impulsion
• Better prepares joints and tendons to help prevent sprains and strains

Benefits for use AFTER competition or heavy work:

• Found to aid and accelerate recovery
• Eliminates the toxins that build up post-work
• Reduces muscle tension and muscle soreness
• Soothes limbs and tissues; heat, swelling, strains

Algotherapy is suitable for any type of horse:

• Elderly horses – acts as natural remedy; gentle and effective in relieving retired horses from age-related ailments (such as osteoarthritis)
• Leisure or sport horses – helps the body by providing minerals, increasing muscle flexibility, and eliminating toxins; essential for the proper function of the musculoskeletal system
• Horses in recovery – speeds up the healing process

To increase the effects, this treatment can be added to a stretching massage session or an osteopathic treatment.

What's involved in the treatment?

As always, there is a full assessment of the horse (immobile and in movement) and a chat with the owner, prior to the treatment. I have over ten years of experience and a solid background in equine therapy, meaning I am skilled in choosing the most suitable treatment.

During treatment, the horse is wrapped with a seaweed poultice (by a certified therapist) and then covered with a starch sheet, with the addition of a fleece when it’s cold.

After the treatment, the horse is then cleaned with warm water and then left to dry (or covered with a fleece to dry them in winter – takes about 1 hour).

Treatment packages available:

Express Vitality Day®

This package is especially designed for a complete assessment and treatment to promote active recovery. This package is also recommended in advance of a physical effort.

• Full assessment
• General horse massage
• General stretching of the horse
• Specific tendon massage
• Application of marine mud (or draining clay) on limbs and area to be treated
• Wrap with hot algae mud poultice over the entire horse

Relaxation and recovery®

This package is ideal for athletic horses in good physical condition but in need of a deep and effective conditioning before a competition. It’s also great for those in total recovery after a period of physical effort and before resting (this rest period should be in the field/paddocks and/or close to the sea).

This is a 2-day program, involving 10 treatments.

A written follow-up, established during the treatment, will be given to the owner.

1st day - 5 treatments

• General horse report
• General manual horse massage
• General stretching of the horse
• Specific tendon massage
• Application of marine mud (or draining clay) on limbs and area to be treated
• Wrap with hot algae mud poultice over the entire horse

2nd day - 5 treatments

• General examination of the horse
• General manual horse massage
• General stretching of the horse
• Specific tendon massage
• Application of marine mud (or draining clay) on limbs and area to be treated
• Wrap with hot algae mud poultice over the entire horse

Thalasso fitness week

This package is suitable for athletic horses who want to breathe after exertion and need a change of environment for 7 days to maintain and improve their physical condition. This is also perfect for any horse that needs swelling brought down in the tendons and fetlocks, or simply for them to enjoy the benefits of the sea and the care of the centre.

The week involves 15 thalasso treatments, alternating with sea trips (with or without balneotherapy equipment).

Accommodation is provided, along with ration/hay.

1st day

• Horse welcome by EQUITHALASSO®
• Musculoskeletal assessment and osteopathic treatment
• Paddock or water treadmill (if no contraindication)

2nd day - 5 treatments

• General manual horse massage
• General stretching of the horse
• Specific tendon massage
• Application of marine mud (or draining clay) on limbs and area to be treated
• Wrap with hot algae mud poultice over the entire horse
• Sea trip or water treadmill

3rd day

• TRIP TO SEA (or water treadmill)

4th day – 5 treatments

• General manual horse massage
• General stretching of the horse
• Specific tendon massage
• Application of marine mud (or draining clay) on limbs and area to be treated
• Wrap with hot algae mud poultice over the entire horse
• Water treadmill

5th day

• Water treadmill

6th day - 5 treatments

• General manual horse massage
• General stretching of the horse
• Specific tendon massage
• Application of marine mud or Draining Clay on limbs and area to be treated
• Wrap with hot algae mud poultice over the entire horse
• Balance sheet
• Water treadmill

7th day

• Water treadmill

Long/rehab treatment - 1 month

In cases where this treatment is used as a post-traumatic cure, our care is adapted to each individual horse, with the possibility of a veterinary follow-up.

The following is included in the long/rehab treatment month;

• Musculoskeletal & osteopathic assessment
• 15 Physio and thalasso treatments
• Aquatic walker with massaging jets
• Sea trips
• Accommodation
• Ration/hay

EQUITHALASSO® products are distributed exclusively by Jennifer Postollec, the official distributor in the UK. If you have any questions or would like to book in for a treatment, you can contact Jennifer via her Facebook page, Equine, Canine and Feline Manual Therapist.