As horse owners, you want to provide the best care for your horse. Many horse owners will invest thousands of dollars in healthcare products to keep their horses comfortable, healthy and happy. Because of this, there has been an increase in the use of complementary therapy products such as magnetic, cold or ice and ceramic. From hock wraps to halter covers, sheets to tendon wraps, the variety of therapeutic options can leave your head spinning.
In this post, we will walk you through the purpose and common use of three popular therapy product lines from Tough1.
Ceramic Therapy
Ceramic therapy, also known as infrared therapy, is one of the more recent additions to equine health care. The science behind ceramic therapy is to use the horse's natural body heat for healing. It involves ceramic-infused fibers that absorb the horse’s body heat and return it to the horse’s body as therapeutic far-infrared rays. Because it’s so new, scientific evidence supporting the efficacy is still evolving.
Here are a few reasons why some horse owners have chosen to use ceramic therapy on their horses:
- Increased blood circulation: Ceramic therapy materials are designed to emit far-infrared rays, which can penetrate the skin and stimulate blood vessels. This increased circulation may help deliver more oxygen and nutrients to the horse's tissues, potentially aiding in the healing of injuries and reducing muscle soreness.
- Pain management: Ceramic therapy can be a noninvasive method of managing pain, particularly for conditions like arthritis, sore muscles and joint discomfort.
- Muscle relaxation: Far-infrared rays are believed to help relax and loosen muscles. This can be particularly useful for horses that engage in strenuous activities or suffer from muscle stiffness.
- Stress reduction: Much like how the far-infrared rays assist in muscle relaxation, some users report a calming and stress-reducing effect on horses.
- Noninvasive: Ceramic therapy is noninvasive and does not involve drugs or surgery, making it a relatively safe and low-risk option for addressing some equine health issues.
- Complementary: Ceramic therapy is known as a complementary therapy because it can be used alongside conventional veterinary care like physical therapy and other treatments as part of a holistic approach to horse health.
It is important to note that ceramic therapy should not be considered a replacement for proper veterinary care in the diagnosis and treatment of equine health issues. When used, this therapy should be introduced slowly over a few days, so the horse can acclimate to its effects.
Magnetic Therapy
Magnetic therapy is a complementary (alternative) therapy that involves using magnetic fields to promote healing and alleviate pain and inflammation in horses. While some horse owners and practitioners believe in the benefits of magnetic therapy, it's important to note that scientific evidence supporting its efficacy is limited, and its use should be considered alongside traditional veterinary care.
Here are some reasons why people would choose to use magnetic therapy on their horses:
- Pain telief: Magnetic therapy is believed, by some, to help relieve pain, which can be beneficial for horses experiencing musculoskeletal discomfort, arthritis or other sources of pain and discomfort.
- Reduced inflammation: Magnetic therapy may help reduce inflammation in horses, which can be useful for managing conditions like tendonitis or joint inflammation.
- Enhanced blood circulation: It’s thought that magnetic fields can improve blood circulation, potentially promoting the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to injured or damaged tissues.
- Stress reduction: The calming effect of magnetic therapy has been suggested to help reduce stress in horses, which can make this a potential use for horses that are anxious or nervous. This can be helpful during travel or during adjustment to new environments.
- Noninvasive: Magnetic therapy is noninvasive and does not involve the use of drugs or surgery, making it an attractive option for some horse owners concerned about potential side effects or risks.
- Complementary approach: Magnetic therapy can be used as part of a holistic approach to horse health, alongside conventional veterinary care, physical therapy and other treatments.
It's important to keep in mind that results can vary from one horse to another. As with ceramic therapy, horses should be introduced to magnetic therapy slowly over a few days. Always review the product packaging for the magnetic GAUSS value, some products have stronger magnets than others.
Cold Therapy
Cold therapy is a more common and traditional method of treatment for horses, especially sport and performance horses. It involves applying cool temperatures to an area of a horse's body to provide various therapeutic benefits.
Here are some reasons why cold therapy is used on horses:
- Reduce inflammation: One of the primary reasons for using this therapy on horses is to reduce inflammation, whether from an injury or from just normal work. The cold constricts blood vessels, which limits the flow of fluids into the injured or inflamed area, which can help minimize pain and swelling. This is particularly beneficial for injuries like tendonitis, sprains or strains, much like humans.
- Pain relief: Cold therapy can numb the affected area and provide relief from pain. It can be especially useful for horses experiencing acute injuries or post-surgical pain.
- Speed-up healing: Cold therapy can help accelerate the healing process by reducing inflammation and pain. It can create a more favorable environment for the body’s natural healing mechanisms to operate efficiently.
- Minimize muscle soreness: Cold therapy is commonly used to reduce muscle soreness in horses, particularly after intense exercise or competition. (Ice baths, anyone?)
- Post-exercise recovery: Many horse owners and trainers use cold therapy as part of their post-exercise routine to cool down the horse's legs and minimize the risk of injury.
- Noninvasive and safe: Cold therapy is a noninvasive, drug-free and relatively safe way to provide pain relief and support to the horse's body. It can be an essential component of first aid for equine injuries.
Common methods of applying cold therapy to horses include:
- Ice packs
- Cold water hosing
- Specialized cold therapy boots or wraps, like Tough1's Ice Therapy Boots or Revive Cooling Therapy
It's important to use cold therapy judiciously, as excessive or prolonged exposure to the cold can have adverse effects, such as frostbite.
As with any healthcare product, it's crucial to consult with a veterinarian or equine healthcare professional to determine the appropriate type of therapy, timing and duration for using that therapy, based on the horse’s specific condition and needs. They can help you make informed decisions about the best course of treatment for your horse's specific condition, taking into consideration the scientific evidence and the individual needs of your horse.
