Equilibrium Massage Pad Sizing?

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ChestnutHunter

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Im quite interested in buying one of these for my boy, it seems a small price to pay for the potential results, have read various reviews and it seems worth it.

But, will it fit a 17.2 sport horse?
I have read that they only go upto 16hands which is no good for my horse.
 
I have just got one this weekend and am very pleased with it. I put it on my youngster who is 16.2ish and it fitted him but he is very short coupled. Think it depends how long in the back your horse is. You can always move it around, not do the straps up and pop a rug over the top - I have to do this on one of mine as they are on a treatment for a sore lower back.
 
I have always wondered why people spend so much money on these things?!?! We have 2 in the yard and honestly, put it on full pelt and put it on your arm. It does beggar all. And if it does beggar all to a human arm how on earth do you expect it to do anything to half a tonne of horse?! Both of our physio's and our vets have said you may as well put a couple of hot water bottles on your horses back for 15-20mins instead.
 
Both my boys really enjoy the massage pad but frankly I'm not sure what good they do. But 20 minutes of warmth and I tend to pamper at the same time makes a very nice interlude. The big chap is on box rest, so it's a bit of a distraction. He's a very big 18h, and is just perched on his back, but the straps do just go around him. The littler one has arthritis, which is why I bought it isn't the first place, he tends to drool when it's on...
 
The three horses of mine who have had this pad seem to enjoy the experience. To me, even if it does no "medical" good, that is good enough!

EKW, I have never put it on my arm, but when I have had a bad back I have had it in the house and leaned my back on it. I find it soothing, even if it has no physio approved benefit.

I have also found that it helps my horse feel more relaxed when mounted in the school on a brisk day if he has had it on while I am faffing before riding. Maybe a hot water bottle or two would have the same effect, but the pad is more convenient.

One of my horses initially was not good to tie up. With the pad he would stand tied with a dreamy expression, and I could get on with jobs. When the pad finished he would whinny his displeasure, and stamp. He was also initially scared f clippers, I think the pad helped with that, to get him used to the noise and vibration.

OH's horse also liked the pad, to the point he would enter the grooming parlour and grab it in his teeth to be put on. In dact that was the death of that particular pad :-(

As the equilibrium was so good for us I next tried an Equissage, which was a heck of a lot more expensive, and I did not think it was as good, to the point I sold it again, and bought another Equlibirum.

For physio type benefits I use a PhysioMed I think it is called, it is a real heavy duty thumper at £399 or so, and have used it on myself to undo muscles in spasm. That one is not relaxing though, that one is pure pain!

OH's horse was almost 17hh, and the pad was fine.
 
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Fits my 16.2hh ish ISH fine, the straps have loads of adjustment, and agree with all the comments about relaxing them, you can get on with trimming etc and they stand like rocks. Mine is also a bit cold backed and really helps with that. I have the massage mitt to do the bits the mat can't be moved to cover.Got both on eBay. I love them, so does my horse!
 
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