Equalibrium massage or magnetic?

F

fools_ gold

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 November 2011
Messages
143
Location
Back of beyond
Visit site
I have a horse who has some ligament damage to his back and very mild kissing spines.
He is having shockwave therapy at the moment and possibly injections into his spine.
So I'm thinking long term, what can I use to help him. I have been reading about equalibrium products they sound quite good but I've not used them before, so just wondered if anyone has used them? And out of massage or magnetic, which would be the most beneficial?
Will obviously be asking the vet for recommendations too, but it's always good to hear others opinions.
Also for similar problems what other products/ treatments have you guys used!
Slice of homemade pecan pie and a brew for any help :)
 
I have both, I use them on a horse with general muscle tightness so can't comment on how would help your boy.

In our case I notice a greater improvement in flexibility after using the Equilibrium pad, particularly as I can position it over his quarters.

Hope they help your boy

Thanks for the pecan pie - better go ride off those calories now :D
 
Thanks Renvers. I do want both as they sound equally good, but they are pretty expensive. Annoyingly I have just been made redundant, so will probably have to buy one now and save for the other.
Seeing as I have 2 out of work horses atm I'm going to have to get creative with burning off the calories!
 
Copperpot, thanks, who makes the magnetic rug you use?
Was a bit sceptical as to the effectiveness of magnets initially, but just read about the science behind it and from the bits I could actually understand it really makes sense how it can help. I was initially thinking to get the massage, but now thinking magnets could be the better option?
More opinions very much welcome :)
 
I have a premier equine one. I like it cos goes right up to his ears and there are magnets down the pelvis area and the back area which is what I wanted it for. He had hairline fracture of the pelvis when he was 4 and has a bit of a sensitive back.
 
Whilst these type of things can be good, there is nothing quite like a 'hands-on' massage from a therapist! They can also feel for problem areas and work directly on those, whereas things like massages rugs etc, just work on a general muscle relaxing basis.
For what you would pay for one, you could get several treatments with a therapist :-)
 
My friends horse who was operated on for KS took a while to get used to the equilibrium pad, have you tried one on yours before? I don't know if this is the same for all KS horses but thought it worth a mention.

I have the equimagnets rug which I like as you can position the magnets wherever you want. I think the magnetic rugs are really useful for travelling and stabling overnight and help with keeping the muscles warm and supple, and the massage pad is more of a direct help just on the saddle area.

Could you buy a magnetic rug and a hand held massage mitt - that might work out cheaper? :)
 
I use the Equilibrium magnetic pads (back pad and quarters pad). All the horses and ponies we use it on chill and relax, most fall asleep whilst it's on :)

I'd be wary if using a massage pad on a horse with specific back issues. I'd want to be able to feel the muscle responses and vary the pressure, rotation, and time spent on different areas.

Hope all goes well with your lad :)
 
Thanks for all your suggestions. I am considering everything. Will double check what the vet thinks too.
I was initially thinking not to go down the therapist route as he had seen one before and they didn't think anything was wrong with him. Although I'm not totally ruling it out if I think it's needed in the future.
Having spoken to quite a few people about magnets I think I'm going to buy a pad, it covers the area he has the problems so I think it could work quite well. He hasn't had one on before so not sure what he'll think. This might be a bit of a dense question, but I've not used one before.. Do they actually 'do' anything, as in what do they feel like to wear?
 
Lynswin said:
Whilst these type of things can be good, there is nothing quite like a 'hands-on' massage from a therapist! They can also feel for problem areas and work directly on those, whereas things like massages rugs etc, just work on a general muscle relaxing basis.
For what you would pay for one, you could get several treatments with a therapist :-)
Click to expand...

While i agree, my equine bodyworker thoroughly reccommends my massage therapy pad and actively encourages their use
 
There is NO quality science which supports the use of static magnetism in humans or animals, and study after study which shows NO efficacy above placebo. There is some clever marketing to the contrary, although quite a few successful complaints and prosecutions against false advertising by magnetic 'therapy' companies. It is likely that a lot of the anecdotal evidence is down to the 'heating' that wearing such a product does, though that is not down to the magnetism..

There is some, though still fairly limited, study showing the benefits of devices such as the Equilibrium so if I had to choose it would be that :) I have used an Equissage before as I didn't think that it had the potential for harm, even if it didn't benefit.

You can buy magnets separately so you could always sew them on to a cheap fleece rug - if you buy a high enough gauss magnet I don't really see how that would be much different from buying a £100+ rug.
 
Last edited:
No idea at all with regards to the technical side of it all, but I do know that when I wear a back support with magnets, my back is easier and freer in its movement. I've tried it without the magnets in and whilst it helps, it's not as good a result as with the magnets :cool: :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top