Margaret Smith and her AQHA gelding Invite Rumors, known as Roo, are back in the show ring after Roo’s successful treatment at The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center in Ocala. Roo was injured in a pasture accident and the injury healed following treatments in the Cold Saltwater Spa at The Sanctuary. (Photo courtesy of The Sanctuary)
By Johnny Robb
The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center is known as a state-of-the-art center dedicated to the healing and conditioning of equine athletes, and they are also known for their wonderful success stories. Margaret Smith’s 16-hand, six year-old AQHA gelding Invite Rumors, known as Roo, is one of those great success stories.
“Roo was horribly injured in a pasture accident in June of 2011. His bone and tendons were exposed on his left hind leg and by November we were desperate because the wound wasn’t responding to treatment,” Smith said. “We took Roo to the Sanctuary on November 25th and his injury responded wonderfully to the Cold Saltwater Spa treatments.”
After a 10-day stay at The Sanctuary, Roo returned to Smith’s Heifer Hill Farm near Tallahassee, Florida. “I wish I would have taken Roo to The Sanctuary sooner, but the good news is that he is back! Just recently we competed at the Flying Color Farms show and we won the Adult Hunter Under Saddle class,” his happy owner said.
Smith added that she could never say enough great things about The Sanctuary, the staff and treatment Roo received while at the Ocala facility. “Brenda, the General Manager of The Sanctuary, called me several times during Roo’s stay to keep me advised on his progress. Upon his departure, we were given easy to understand directions for after care.”
Smith added that she has spread the word to all of her horse friends about Roo’s success story at The Sanctuary. “Roo received wonderful care at The Sanctuary and the best part is that I now have my horse back,” she said.
Brenda McDuffee, General Manager of The Sanctuary, said the entire staff was thrilled when they heard that Roo was back in the show ring and in the ribbons. “The equine Cold Saltwater Spa is a vital treatment for reducing inflammation in lower leg injuries and accelerating the body’s natural healing processes. Spa therapy can help treat injured tendons, ligaments, shins, hooves, wounds, cuts and bruises, which is exactly the injury that Roo was facing,” McDuffee said. “When an injury is swollen, it cannot heal properly until swelling is reduced and controlled. By reducing swelling and encouraging damaged tissues to begin repairing, spa therapy triggers the start of the healing process. Once initial swelling is reduced, continued spa treatments can control any further swelling that may interfere with healing.”
In addition to the Cold Saltwater Leg Spa, The Sanctuary is home to the Aqua Pacer Water Treadmill, the safest, most effective water treadmill available. The Sanctuary also features: an Equine Vibration Plate, an Equine Swimming Pool – a 110 foot long, 14 foot deep inline pool with therapeutic water; a 5/8 mile race track; two Eurocisers with therapeutic tracking surface – one under cover and one outdoors; Solariums; Temperature-controlled veterinary inspection areas with semi-surgical lighting, and rubberized surfaces in most areas.
Contact The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center
1-352-369-HEAL (4325)
