TOOLS YOU CAN USE: Guidelines and Cautions
for Equine Therapy Equipment
Some equine therapies, such as chiropractic and acupuncture, require special training or certification. Others can fall under the “do-it-yourself” (DIY) category, raising concerns on how to safely incorporate them into your horse’s care.
by Lisa Kemp A
re you curious about infrared, laser, ceramic fabric, and magnetic therapies? Tese therapies are generally supplied to the horse through a range of equipment,
from blankets or wraps that can be left on the horse to gear that plugs into an electrical outlet for short-term, supervised application.
“All of these therapies are going to increase the blood supply and circulation as well as stimulate the system and the cells,” advises Julie Mayer, DVM CVA CVC CCRP, a holistic and rehabilitation veterinarian based in Phoenix. “Some can be used to reduce muscular pain, and ease inflammation. However, they’re typically going to be fairly gentle.”
Proper use requires some consideration, according to Chris Bessent, DVM, a Milwaukee-area veterinarian and founder of Herbsmith, Inc. “Tese are really neat, proactive therapies that an owner can implement into their veterinary plan, but each one needs to be evaluated based on what’s suitable and appropriate at the time,” she says. “Tey’re also typically ‘in addition to’ therapies, since you might be using glucosamine or Adequan, or joint injections, to help your horse, but then you can add in something that will speed healing and recovery, or warm muscles for relief.”
THERAPIES EXPLAINED Developing an understanding of each therapy’s uses will help you identify when they’re appropriate.
heat transference. An external, non-invasive therapy, the use of polyester/polypropylene fabric with ceramic powder melted into the weave allows the fabric to reflect body heat as an infrared wave, keeping the blood circulating and the muscles loose. Equine applications include prevention as well as recovery, since ceramic fabric equipment can be used to prevent stocking up when an ‘outside’ horse is suddenly confined to a stall, or before a workout to reduce warm-up time.
With no external power source, ceramic fabric equipment can be used safely on an unsupervised horse, according to Bo Lofvander, owner of Back On Track, a manufacturer of ceramic fabric therapy clothing and equipment for horses, humans, and dogs. “It’s something you can put on the horse and go home, and not have to stand there while it’s working,” he says.
Infrared Terapy Infrared waves are divided into three categories (near, middle, and far) depending on the actual wavelength measurement, and can result in applications of either light (near) or heat (far) that are easily absorbed by the body for healing and therapeutic benefit.
Ceramic Fabric Terapy Ceramic-infused horse blankets, saddle pads, leg wraps, and boots might sound like space-age horse clothing, but the science behind them works on the basic principle of
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www.holistichorse.com
The use of polyester/ polypropylene fabric with ceramic powder melted into the weave allows the fabric to reflect body heat as an infrared wave, keeping the blood circulating and the muscles loose.
According to John Crerar, vice president of Termotex Terapy Systems, Ltd., ‘far infrared’ energy can be used to treat muscle and joint conditions, and to reduce inflammation and decrease stiffness in the equine athlete. “Our products can increase blood flow as well as metabolic activity within cells; this delivers more nutrients and oxygen to a treated area while removing accumulated wastes and toxins.”
PHOTO ABOVE:Stimulating acupuncture points on the horse’s body with magnets has been shown to result in relaxation of the muscles and overall soothing of the horse, as well as increased blood circulation that helps speed the recovery process.
Holistic Horse™ • October/November 2010 • Vol.16, Issue 69
Infrared light wave energy has healing applications, since it is radiant light and easily absorbed by the body for therapeutic benefit.
Ellen K. Nose
Back on Track
Equine Light Therapy
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