We all know how good a massage feels, and that low-impact exercise like water aerobics can help improve our health and fitness. Horses in Central Florida can now experience the same wellness benefits with a new sports therapy and rehabilitation facility just for them.

The Sanctuary, located in Ocala, Fla., recently capped construction of their 40,000 square foot facility with a grand opening June 28. The impetus behind the enterprise? The owners couldn’t find the therapies they wanted for their own equine athletes, or when they could, there was a waiting list.

“Time is money for our clients,” said Brenda McDuffee, The Sanctuary’s general manager. “If you’ve got an injured race or show horse and a big event coming up, you can’t afford to waste time or risk re-injury or secondary complications.”

A staff of six therapists run The Sanctuary’s high-tech equipment. Services include: saltwater swimming pool and cold spa; hyperbaric oxygen therapy; laser, electromagnetic pulse, ice/heat, and massage therapies; and acupuncture, farrier, and dental care.

“Some treatments are exclusively on-site, but we offer mobile services within the Ocala area,” McDuffee said. “Our mobile crew also travel to horse shows and special events.”

Ocala and surrounding Marion County are home to a diverse range of breeds and disciplines, and rank among the largest horse populations in the U.S.

“It’s exciting to have a first-class rehabilitation facility available to us,” said Faith E. Hughes, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, surgeon at Peterson & Smith Equine Hospital in Ocala. “We want to treat our equine athletes with the same types of conditioning and rehabilitation care as human athletes, but treatment modalities like these aren’t commonly available through veterinarians or trainers.”

Visit The Sanctuary’s Web site for additional information or to book services.