Oh, What a Year: Regional Stars Shine through in banner 2024
Written by Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred Staff Nine horses bred in the Mid-Atlantic…
By Delores Kuhlwein
Debra Donovan Smith has led an interesting and diverse life growing up in Baltimore, Maryland, playing tennis for Cornell University, as a past owner of the famous hotel, The Tremont, and as the current owner of Valley Inn Country Club in Baltimore.
In fact, her father, Art Donovan, played for the Baltimore Colts, later making appearances on Late Night with David Letterman and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, much to the audience’s delight.
But horses? They were just “kind of haphazard stuff” for Debra, including some trail riding and barrel racing with her son, Dr. Chris Smith, a veterinarian who opened Foxhall Equine Rehab in 2020.
“First of all, I’m 67 and I was never formally trained,” says Debra, who is now a grandma and the family matriarch. “Two years ago, I was in a really bad horse-riding accident when a horse went feral on me, and I spent two whole months in John Hopkins.”
One would have thought she would have given up riding for good…
Our Solarium harnesses the power of infrared light to deliver deep, soothing warmth to muscles and tissues. By improving blood circulation and relaxing muscles, it aids in recovery after exercise or therapy sessions. Additionally, the Solarium supports overall skin health, making it a vital tool in equine wellness and performance maintenance.
The Kraft Horse Walker is a state-of-the-art system that ensures safe, controlled exercise for horses at all fitness levels. With programmable settings for speed and direction, it promotes cardiovascular health, muscle development, and joint mobility. This versatile tool is ideal for conditioning, rehabilitation, and maintaining peak physical fitness.
Salt Room Therapy provides an all-natural treatment designed to enhance respiratory health and skin condition. By inhaling dry salt aerosol, horses benefit from improved lung function, reduced inflammation, and relief from respiratory issues such as allergies or heaves. This therapy also promotes skin healing and overall relaxation, contributing to a healthier, more balanced horse.
The Cold Saltwater Spa offers a powerful combination of cold therapy and mineral-rich saltwater immersion. This treatment reduces inflammation, soothes soreness, and accelerates healing for injuries such as tendon strains, ligament damage, and hoof conditions. The natural anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of saltwater make this therapy an essential component of recovery and wellness.
Our Aquatread system combines the benefits of low-impact exercise with the therapeutic properties of water resistance. This innovative treadmill allows for controlled movement in a buoyant environment, reducing stress on joints while enhancing strength, endurance, and flexibility. Whether for rehabilitation, conditioning, or performance improvement, Aquatread therapy is tailored to meet the unique needs of every horse.