By Corinne Sweeney, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, New Bolton Center Associate Dean

The reputation the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) New Bolton Center has built over the decades for providing high-quality care for equine athletes is due in part to our unique “pool recovery” system, designed to help horses awaken safely from anesthesia.

Dedicated 40 years ago, the pool system, created at New Bolton Center, was the first-of-its-kind, a critical innovation in veterinary surgery. Today, the updated recovery pool continues to be an integral tool used by our equine orthopedic surgeons for patients with leg fractures.

“The pool can make all the difference in a successful recovery, especially in the most extreme cases,” said Dean Richardson, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, chief of surgery at New Bolton Center. “Waking up from anesthesia in the pool gives horses a chance to safely recover their strength, coordination, and awareness, and that provides a much better chance for them to recover without injury