Magnetic rug and wierd side effects?

M

MerryMaker

Well-Known Member
Joined
24 January 2008
Messages
529
Visit site
<font color="purple"> </font> Gee has quite a sensitive back, and having had a new saddle fitted and her back looked at, the vet suggested she may be slightly cold backed. I did a bit of research, talked to several people and it was recommended that I tried a magnetic rug. I began by putting it on for half an hour before I rode, whilst doing jobs etc, and while I didn't notice much difference, all was fine.

I gradually increased the time it was on (for some reason I had it in my head to introduce gradually like a feed haha I have no idea if this is right but it seemed logical in my little world) until one day I'd had it on for an hour. When I took it off, she was sweating where the magnetic strips were but normal everywhere else, so I let the sweaty bits dry and rode as usual.

he next day, horror of horrors (hadn't put it back on as it was morning and was about to turn her out) all her hair fell out as I flicked her off! My poor pony ended up with 2 semi bald stripes on her back!

Has anyone else experienced anything like this? She had 2 weeks off work following this for her back to recover and for the hair to grow mostly back and I'm now riding her with a slightly thinner sheepskin pad under her saddle to reduce friction. although this isn't ideal as I do dressage and ride through my seat primarily and a thick pad defeats the object of contact! I'm going to contact the manufacturer to see what they think, i guess horses react differently to things like this, and I like the concept of it, but I wondered if anyone else has had this?
 
OMG... that sounds horrible. I was halfway through the post and nodding my head at the sweaty bits, all prepared to be like, 'yeah, some horses can sweat up with them on'. Then I read about the hair falling out and I have never heard of anything like that! If I were you I'd check any labels or documents you got with it and also contact the manufacturer.

With respect to the cold back, my girl can be slightly cold backed, and I put her saddle on first before I do anything else with her, then rug over the top while I groom, do feet, bandages and bridle. Then its been sitting warming up for 10-15 mins by the time I get one. I've found this works really well and she's fine about me getting on now (used to be figetty). Another thing that is excellent for cold backs is using an Equissage. Unfortunately I can't afford one at the moment but they are really fantastic for so many things. I can't recommend them enough. If you can't afford the full kit you can get the hand units on ebay quite often (the equissage, horse, ones are exactly the same as the ones desgined for humans but twice the price. If you're looking search for Niagara Healthcare products on ebay.)
 
Never underestimate the power of magnets!
I can't account for why the hair fell out, but a friend of mine uses magnets to deal with her stiff joints, but if she wears the magnets for too long she begins to feel headachy and sick.
 
I guess that is a reaction to being sweaty, rather than the magnetic therapy itself. It sounds like she is like my mare who also sweated under the magnets. My other horse (a gelding, incase that is relevant!) doesn't ever sweat under his magnets.

I do wonder if the difference is the fabric of the rug they are attached to? his is a thin cotton-like rug, where as her's was thicker.

Not sure what to suggest really, not ideal having her hair fall out! Perhaps go back to having it on for 30mins before riding? Or possibly try having a thin fleece or something between the magnets and her back to try to minimise sweating. THey do say to have the magnets as close to the skin as possible but it won't drastically reduce their effectiveness if you put something thin between.

Oh and you were right to introduce them gradually. Nothing wrong there!
 
Thanks for that! Her "now bald bits" seemed to come out in clumps, she sweats when she's ridden under her saddle and girth etc anyway and in the 4 1/2 years I've had her she's never had any hair loss, so I was a little worried it's burnt the hair away almost!

Kate, that's what I've been doing as well, I even put her numbah on the boiler in the tack room for 10 mins before I tack up, I know it sounds silly but I wouldn't like a cold hard thing being chucked on my back when I've been cosy in bed all day! I also wear an excercise rug for the first 20 mins of my session whilst she warms up, and she has it back on while we cool down, I make sure she has a really strict warm up/down routine as with every horse I've worked.

And cheers Orange Its good to hear I'm not being ridiculous!
 
My mare wears magnetic wraps at night and while I am sure they have helped her no-end, she has to have them on her back legs as otherwise she tries to remove them after 15 minutes. They obviously irritate her in some way.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top