Between the pine forest and the sea: rehabilitation for horses in Tuscany – with a stable concept that adapts to the horses’ needs
Peace, fresh air and the ground as a health factor: in Tuscany, Dr Sandra Löckener has built a rehabilitation stable that is consistently designed with the horse in mind. The focus is on holistic therapy and a flexible husbandry concept.
From horse training to holistic rehabilitation
Dr Löckener has been working with horses for a very long time: she registered her business on her 16th birthday, gave riding lessons and worked as a horse trainer. Her desire to help horses recover from injuries or illnesses emerged at an early age. However, she soon realised that, for this specific focus on rehabilitation, she needed more than just one area of specialisation. She initially began studying biology to deepen her fundamental understanding of the organism and the scientific approach. She completed training in physiotherapy as well as in nutritional therapy. This was finally ‘rounded off’ by a PhD in veterinary medicine, which also gives her a veterinary perspective on cases. Today, it is precisely this combination that comes together in her work.
Her approach is clear: treatments must be ‘sound and well-founded’ – based on concrete findings and supplemented by practical experience.
Why Tuscany? A healing environment as part of the concept
Before starting afresh in Italy, she had already been running a rehabilitation centre near Munich. In Tuscany, she found conditions that are ideal for her patients:
- greenery, tranquillity and nature as ‘healing environmental forces’
- a pine forest behind her – the fresh air is soothing, particularly for the respiratory tract
- a maritime climate from the front and gentle air circulation
- as a side effect: fewer insects, which helps horses with eczema, amongst other things
She is particularly keen to reduce stress for horses undergoing rehabilitation.
“We wanted a place that was completely peaceful – without any sensory overload.”
A holistic approach rather than ‘just a bit of therapy’
The rehabilitation centre takes in horses that require more than just individual treatments. Dr Löckener draws up an individual, holistic plan for each horse. She describes herself as a specialist in applied therapeutic approaches for horses – particularly for respiratory problems, gastrointestinal and metabolic issues, mobility problems, and skin and hoof conditions.
Depending on the horse’s needs, different areas of treatment are integrated, for example:
- Exercise therapy
- Nutritional therapy
- Physiotherapy treatments
- and, increasingly, mental training
She puts it very clearly: many problems cannot be solved in the long term unless everyday life is taken into account.
“Even the best treatment is of no use if the horse doesn’t feel comfortable in its day-to-day life.”
A stable designed with the horse in mind: open during the day, with places to retreat at night
The housing concept is deliberately flexible. During the day, the looseboxex with paddock can be opened and – where appropriate – even joined together: this creates an open-stable-style environment where the horses have a choice of areas (paved area, meadow, shade, sun). At night, each horse then has a separate area at its disposal. In her view, this combination offers clear advantages:
- greater tranquillity and significantly more REM sleep phases
- more regular feed intake
- lower stress levels
- a place to retreat to, which is particularly important for lower-ranking horses (“Nobody disturbs me when I’m lying down.”)
There is also the safety aspect: at night in the stable, the risk of injuries that can occur outdoors due to sudden startles is reduced.
Dr Sandra Löckener on her therapeutic approach and the postural concept:
The soil as a factor in health – not a minor issue
The surface plays a key role, particularly in rehabilitation. In areas where horses spend a lot of time standing and lying down, the equine expert opts for rubber mats. Several criteria were decisive:
- gentle on the joints and level, even for horses with tendon or joint problems
- hygienic (important for horses with respiratory conditions), with minimal colonisation by microorganisms
- insulating, so that ‘the cold doesn’t seep into the joints’
- non-slip, so that horses feel secure when lying down or standing up
"It is very important that the horses know they have a safe footing both when lying down and when getting up."
Why BELMONDO® Classic?
BELMONDO® Classic has been fitted throughout the stable. The decisive factor was the combination of comfort, stability and practicality.
The rubber mats have been laid not only in the looseboxes but also in the stable walkway. Particularly in areas where horses are frequently led, left, treated or positioned for hoof care, the elastic, non-slip surface provides greater grip and safety – and thus ensures smoother procedures, which is a real advantage in rehabilitation.
“The mats simply tick all the boxes I was looking for: very firm underfoot, very non-slip, good insulation – but not so soft or spongy that the horses feel unsteady on them.”
Another plus point for Dr Löckener was the installation, which can be carried out without glue or screws and with just a few tools. A rubber mallet and a knife – that was all she needed. So the installation was very straightforward.
Sandra Löckener is also convinced of its hygienic qualities.
“I don’t have any mould, bacterial growth or smell of ammonia at all.”
Cleaning & Bedding: less material, quick to clean
Very little bedding is deliberately used on the mats – significantly less than when mats are not used. The bedding used includes, amongst other things, treated hay (suitable for horses with allergies), which is a by-product of day-to-day operations. The looseboxes are mucked out at least once a day, and more frequently if necessary.
“The mats make it easy to restore a clean surface quickly.”
Acceptance by the horses: straightforward – even for those undergoing rehabilitation
The horses’ behaviour in everyday life clearly shows that there have been no acceptance issues whatsoever so far. Even rehabilitation horses that had never encountered mats before are, in her experience, coping well – and lie down quite naturally. If a horse is sceptical at first, minor adjustments (e.g. making the mat look similar to bedding) help.
‘Horses don’t make a fuss’ – a hope for the future
As well as concepts and equipment, one thing is particularly important to Sandra Löckener: taking horses seriously as sentient beings. She wants to dispel the misconception that a horse is ‘playing tricks’ on someone or ‘making a fuss’. Her experience has shown that pain – whether physical or psychological – very often still goes unrecognised.
Her favourite moment in her work is therefore when a horse opens up. For her, trust is the greatest gift.
Dr Sandra Löckener on stable flooring and her experience with BELMONDO® mats:
Product used in this stable:
