Do magnets work?

[Pearlsasinger]

I thought that scientists were curious people, with open minds who listened to anecdotal evidence, especially when much of it seems to point in a particular direction, and wondered why it was that many people seemed to have a similar experience. Then I thought that they would genuinely investigate - not just dismiss something out of hand because they personally have seen no evidence.
There is still a great deal that scientists cannot explain.

 

[YasandCrystal]

Tbh im not fussed what anyone thinks, its up to them if they want to use magnets, or not, i use them on 2 horses and imo they have made a difference to both of them, they move better and appear less stiff

^^ This. And to me the fact that so many competition riders use magnets and other 'scientifically unproven' therapies says to me that there is something in it. We don't know everything. My mother in law who has multiple sclerosis interestingly could not tolerate wearing a magnetic bracelet. It made her need to urinate so often in the first days of wearing she had to stop.

 

[rhino]

I thought that scientists were curious people, with open minds who listened to anecdotal evidence, especially when much of it seems to point in a particular direction, and wondered why it was that many people seemed to have a similar experience. Then I thought that they would genuinely investigate - not just dismiss something out of hand because they personally have seen no evidence.
There is still a great deal that scientists cannot explain.

They are. Anecdotes are very interesting and generally spur proper research. When ALL the research - and a huge amount of well carried out research at that - has exactly the same outcome then the confidence level is high enough that many people are happy to conclude that they don't have the effect some people believe they have. Any proper scientist is capable of changing their opinion when proof is obtained, that's the great thing about science - it allows progress

Scientists have 'genuinely investigated' magnets and will continue to do so. Just as I expect the promoters of many of the products will continue to claim false evidence of efficacy.

And to me the fact that so many competition riders use magnets and other 'scientifically unproven' therapies says to me that there is something in it.

See, to me celebrity endorsements are completely meaningless. Being a good rider, or a sportsman, or a soap star, doesn't necessarily equate with having any understanding of evidence based medicine.

After all, with something like magnets where the probability of them causing damage is so low, I think most people would be happy to receive money to use them.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/dec/29/celebrity-endorsements-trashed-annual-list
http://www.senseaboutscience.org/data/files/Celebrities_and_Science_2011.pdf

 

[YasandCrystal]

See, to me celebrity endorsements are completely meaningless. Being a good rider, or a sportsman, or a soap star, doesn't necessarily equate with having any understanding of evidence based medicine.

After all, with something like magnets where the probability of them causing damage is so low, I think most people would be happy to receive money to use them.

I didn't word my post very well - I didn't mean in the context of anyone famous at all. I was talking generally about people who compete regularly in a discipline regardless of how well known they are or at what level they are. I have found that the competition riders quite understandably as they are putting their horses under pressure use all sorts of devices and remedies to combat strains and fatigue and swelling etc that ordinary leisure horse owners often do not know about.

Some examples that spring to mind are the specialist rugs like the Back on Track ceramic fibre rugs for warming, the micro therapy units for tendon and ligament strains and injuries to speed healing. There are imo some great tips to be had from owners who need to keep their horses in top condition to perform their best. So yes when I hear that competition riders swear by something I am interested as I believe they will be best placed to test magnetic boots for example rather than Sue Smith who hacks out 3 times a week.
I used a holistic vet for my horse and she 'mobilised his sacrum' - now if you ask a conventional vet about that they would likely say 'poppycock - it's impossible to do anything with the sacrum', however she is veterinary trained and has gone against the scientific grain and her actions have proven their worth in the results that my horse now moves so much better. Some things are inexplicable, but imo it doesn't necessarily mean that they don't work.