Infrared rugs - do they work or is it dodgy 'science'?

[Meowy Catkin]

I keep seeing these rugs for many £££ and I am finding it a bit hard to believe that they are so much better than a non-infrared rug of equivalent warmth/wicking/breathability (maybe a nice old fashioned wool newmarket rug for example?). Maybe I'm being too cynical?

Far Infrared Technology: A naturalistic ceramic infused lining that emits a safe form of Far Infrared radiation, also known as Biogenetic Radiation, to the horses’ body, this is then reflected back from the horse’s body creating a natural black body effect. Far infrared radiation is a natural process and is scientifically proven to gently and safely assist blood circulation, therefore, helping to reduce any swelling, ease muscle tension and support recovery and help in the prevention of injury.

The Nano-Tec Infrared Therapy Rug is ideal for pre warm-up to help improve stamina and post exercise for cool down.
It has been developed to help re-energise and maximise your horse's athletic performance potential. Infrared rugs can also help reduce lactic acid build up caused by fatigue, which decreases recovery time. As well as providing Infrared technology the lining is moisture wicking, breathable and acts as an anti-chill barrier.

Infrared Therapy Rug - The Technology...
Nano nylon filaments containing minerals are fused within the fabric fibers. The minerals reflect heat and energy lost from the horse back into the body in the form of infrared heat radiation. The infrared heat opens blood vessels deep in the muscle tissue increasing circulation. The increased blood circulation in the tissues eases muscle tension and fortifies the body's own ability to reduce swelling, heal injuries and speed up recovery time.

Key features...
3D ducted sports mesh - helps regulate temperature
Nano-Tec infrared fabric lining
Detachable neck cover
Shaped, designed and contoured over the wither and rump areas
Cross surcingles
Stainless steel hardware
PVC Coated Tail Strap
Machine washable (30°), dry naturally (Infrared technology lasts the lifetime of the product)
The Nano-Tec Infrared Rug comes inside a complimentary, reusable zip-fastened storage bag
IMPORTANT NANO-TEC INFRARED INFORMATION
How long do you use infrared horse rugs for? Use half an hour to one hour per day for the first week and gradually build up to four hours a day for optimum treatment. Can be left on for up to twelve hours.

Warning: do not use on the following: Open wounds, during pregnancy (ladies) or on mares in foal. If symptoms persist call your vet.

The effectiveness of this product is significantly increased when used by horses that are in regular training.

 

[Starzaan]

Well given the difference in my old dog, and my previously cold backed horse, I’d say they definitely work.

 

[milliepops]

I expect it's probably bad science
BUT my back on track mesh rug does seem to keep horses very comfortable and its really versatile, I use it a stable sheet, when they are wet, when they are sweaty and for travelling. It's very thin but performs better than a normal sheet. I have never found a horse overheated in it and they generally don't get cold either (within reason!) Good enough for me If i had the funds spare I would have one for each of them just based on that.
ETA I don't think I ever read the blurb and I just chuck it on when it's the right layer!

 

[Hack4fun]

Save your money. If you want to know more ask Dr David Marlin via his Facebook page.

 

[pixie27]

I expect it's probably bad science
BUT my back on track mesh rug does seem to keep horses very comfortable and its really versatile, I use it a stable sheet, when they are wet, when they are sweaty and for travelling. It's very thin but performs better than a normal sheet. I have never found a horse overheated in it and they generally don't get cold either (within reason!) Good enough for me If i had the funds spare I would have one for each of them just based on that.
ETA I don't think I ever read the blurb and I just chuck it on when it's the right layer!

Came here to say this! My BOT rug has been brilliant over the last few years. Kept my TB at the perfect temp, and was great for travelling, layering and post-work outs. In the winter I didn't need to add a ton of heavy weight rugs on, pretty much just used that under a medium-weight, even when we had loads of snow. He was a very cold-backed horse and the BOT rug did seem to make a difference, but equally it could've come down to a number of other things (feed, changed physio, upped turn-out).

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Save your money. If you want to know more ask Dr David Marlin via his Facebook page.

Can't do that - I'm not on FB.

 

[ester]

Save your money. If you want to know more ask Dr David Marlin via his Facebook page.

Lol I’ll pass on that 😂.

I’m sceptical with regards to why not just put a bigger rug on. Compare to humans who tend to wear it when they still need to move athletically.

 

[ihatework]

I’m not convinced they do anything extra special tbh, certainly not from what I’ve experienced.

But they do seem to pack a decent thermal punch - ie horses warmer than you might expect from a sheet and given they are light, fit well and wash well I have found my BoT rug a really useful addition.

But in all honesty probably just an expensive luxury

 

[oldie48]

I have the Protech Masta and really find it useful. I pop it on Rose an hour before I tack up to ride if I can, travel her in and use it after work if she is not going straight out in the field. She's not cold backed but she can get tight in her muscles and I genuinely feel it helps. I have a very experienced physio and she also thinks they are great for warming up and warming down muscles, she prefers them to massage rugs which she's a bit sniffy about. I also use a heated pad in very cold weather with the rug on top and Rose likes that too.

 

[chaps89]

Just wondering.
Those who use them, have you also just used normal rugs in the same scenario as where you'd use one of these ones, is there much difference between just popping a good quality blanket like a thermatex on vs one the infrared types in what you see/feel in the horse after wearing?

 

[milliepops]

I have a couple of thermatex rugs too
tbh I use them at different times on different horses. The thermatex is too warm for mine until the weather gets colder, but the BOT mesh is a good in-betweeny rug when it's too cold to go naked/they are clipped etc but a thermatex would overheat them.
I have had various cotton sheets etc but I don't like putting them on a sweaty or washed-off horse. The old fashioned waffle rugs were OK in those situations but either pull back or give me a static shock which the BOT does neither.
I also won't leave a thermatex on a horse overnight in a stable as they either get covered in bedding or they start to pull back IMO, but am happy to leave the BOT on by itself or under a quilt.

 

[ycbm]

There used to be tinfoil filled rugs on sale, same thing, they just reflect back body heat. That's all that pseudo scientific gubbins is saying! If you need to keep a horse warm and don't want to pile on multiple rugs, I'd say they were a sound idea.

Maybe someone should tell David Marlin that it will stop the horse radiating bodybheat towards cold stone walls?

.

 

[Slightlyconfused]

Just wondering.
Those who use them, have you also just used normal rugs in the same scenario as where you'd use one of these ones, is there much difference between just popping a good quality blanket like a thermatex on vs one the infrared types in what you see/feel in the horse after wearing?

I have the dog bed liner, I brother it for my older young collie who had bad hip dysplasia and spondylitis.

We have a few dog beds round the house and I put it under one he doesn't normally use just to see what he would do.

We found that he started using that one more and more, then we moved the liner to another bed and he switched beds to that one.

I have used it under my sheet when my back was sore and it did help.

The theory behind ceramic technologies has been around years, used in different sectors.

I don't think it's a quack science. Though I haven't read David marlins account on it.

 

[ihatework]

Just wondering.
Those who use them, have you also just used normal rugs in the same scenario as where you'd use one of these ones, is there much difference between just popping a good quality blanket like a thermatex on vs one the infrared types in what you see/feel in the horse after wearing?

I have both.
I’d use the thermatex (well lansdown equivalent) only really to wick away wet in cooler weather, that is its primary function which it does far better than anything else.

 

[Reacher]

Surely if you put any rug on , horse will emit more IR...

Yes I was thinking of emergency tin foil blankets, though horse might find the rustling a bit alarming!

 

[Errin Paddywack]

My sister has a BOT teeshirt and swears by it. Much warmer than similar ordinary teeshirt.

 

[flying_high]

I applied a layer of tinfoil over the loins / SI / front half of quarters on the inside of my 100gm stable rug. I used double side sellotape / duct tape.



It works almost too effectively, and if it isn’t cold enough the horse breaks out in sweat under the tinfoil area!



I have also bought a BOT quarters blanket second hand from Ebay for £30 and sewn the Velcro strip into a rug liner.



Now need my horse to stay sound long enough, to need clipping, to actually wear the liner!

 

[eggs]

My horses have the BOT mesh rug on under their turnouts full time in winter. I put them on a few weeks ago and the girl who rides one of my horses commented on how much better he had gone and that he was a lot better through his back when she first got on. She didn't know that he had been wearing his BOT for a few days so I guess it much do something.