Warming a horses back- no solarium?

dressagelove

dressagelove

Well-Known Member
Joined
28 February 2010
Messages
1,903
Location
North West
Visit site
So the vet has been today, Arch is lame on his left fore, so he is coming back to nerve block and xray on monday...hopefully we will find out what is wrong and that it isnt too serious!

Was asking the vet about his 'boarded' muscles which he picked up on, he is a very stiff horse, and I find it difficult to get him relaxing truly over his back. The vet suggested things like a solarium pre-work would be great for a horse like him, however, I am just a pauper!

No solarium till I win the lottery! I was wondering what else I could try as a substitute? Do you think something like hot water bottles wrapped in towels could work? Or perhaps those microwavable bean bags might be quite handy for staying in place...

Any ideas?
 
Does it need to be heat therapy? I have an equilibrium massage pad for my pony which she wears for half an hour at a time which cost less than two hundred quid. You could also try a magnetic rug to boost circulation, or if you really need to go budget you could get a book of massage techniques.
I have used the beanbag from boots that you heat up by dipping in a bucket of boiling water then drape over the withers. It was ok but I haven't figured out a way of making it stay on yet apart from standing there and holding it on. Also there is something wrong with my electricity and every time I plug the kettle in it blows the lights, so won't be trying that again for a while.
Sun Switch do a solarium that you could rig up in your stable for about four hundred quid, which is on my list of things to save up for. Is that about what you thought it was, or any less?
 
Yeah I was looking for a really low budget idea for now... until I start work (student atm!) and very poor :( That thermo massage stuff might be worth a go

Do those equilibrium pads really work unbalanced? I like the look of them but are they a bit gimiky?
 
I think so yes - I find my mare much looser through her shoulders after she has had it on. Also when she had her back checked although she has issues in her poll and lower back she is absolutely perfect in the saddle area where the massage pad goes!
 
LAmeness and stiffness indicates to me that he is misaligned through his shoulder and possibly his diagonal hind quarter though not necessarily so as it might be on the same side.
A simple test for shoulder problems is to lift a front foot, put the arm nearest to the horse over the horse's forearm and take hold of the cannon just above the fetlock and then with your free hand (Make sure the cannon is in line with his forearm) and raise his toe to the forearm
If the centre of the frog is not in line with the forearm then he is misaligned be careful as it is easy to twist the hoof to make is so! Just raise the toe straight.

As for fixing heat to a difficult area, get an old summer sheet and stitch pockets large enough to hold the hot water bottle or whatever, in place.
 
Foxhunter49 said:
LAmeness and stiffness indicates to me that he is misaligned through his shoulder and possibly his diagonal hind quarter though not necessarily so as it might be on the same side.
A simple test for shoulder problems is to lift a front foot, put the arm nearest to the horse over the horse's forearm and take hold of the cannon just above the fetlock and then with your free hand (Make sure the cannon is in line with his forearm) and raise his toe to the forearm
If the centre of the frog is not in line with the forearm then he is misaligned be careful as it is easy to twist the hoof to make is so! Just raise the toe straight.

As for fixing heat to a difficult area, get an old summer sheet and stitch pockets large enough to hold the hot water bottle or whatever, in place.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that Foxhunter. And if he is misaligned, what does one do about that?
 
I would try the equilibrium massage pad, it certainly does warm their back muscles and my horse seems to really like it (he can suffer from a stiff back - but then he is 21 now!). I would maybe treat your horse to a visit from a decent physio/chiro after the vet has carried out investigations in to the front leg lameness.
 
i'd have a look at the Back On Track rugs, they have ceramic thread woven in and warm up the muscles, i'm impressed with mine.
must admit that the Equilibrium pad is good as long as i stand realigning it constantly but if i leave a horse for 5 mins with it on it slips to the side every time (pulled by the weight of the battery and controller units i guess, it always goes to that side), which can't be terribly good for their back/shoulder i guess?!
 
You could invest in a magnetic rug such as the Armadillo one. Magnets have a similar effect and will warm muscles up by increasing blood supply to them.
 
Our mares like their equalibrium pad v much - def chills them out! Helps one warm up for work very well, but puts the other one to sleep so she just has it as an extra warm down. You can borrow them before you buy so I would def do that before parting with your cash.

OH mare's back problems started because of a medial lateral imbalance infront (missed by farrier and vet as it was v slight, but was more than enough to cause a whole host of problems including a very tight back!!) so I would def have a careful check to see how balanced his feet are infront. It is so so hard to tell when you lift the leg as tilting it even v v slightly can give the suggestion of perfect balancing or a slight issue. It is difficult to be sure. If you have a helpful friend then get them to walk your horse in a perfect straight line towards and away from you. Does he land heel first and then flat or does one side or the other meet the gound first? Front feet should be perfectly balanced, hinds will land slightly outside first. If you have a video setting on your phone or camera it is helpful to video it too as you can pause bits so you can see more clearly the moment when the foot meets the ground and it is easier to see what is going on.

Best of luck!
 
Try an Equilibrium pad before buying one though. Whilst I don't have slippage problems with mine - I do do it up reasonably well though - two of my horses absolutely love it and it seems to make a big difference but my big mare loathes it and really winds herself up about it.

I find it heats their backs quite dramatically so try to have a warm numnah ready to slip into its place as I remove it.
 
kerilli said:
i'd have a look at the Back On Track rugs, they have ceramic thread woven in and warm up the muscles, i'm impressed with mine.
must admit that the Equilibrium pad is good as long as i stand realigning it constantly but if i leave a horse for 5 mins with it on it slips to the side every time (pulled by the weight of the battery and controller units i guess, it always goes to that side), which can't be terribly good for their back/shoulder i guess?!
Click to expand...

Ditto for the Back on Track rugs, I use these to warm up muscles and particularly when away showing and not wanting to mess about with massage mits etc. The heat transfer is very effective and all over, love it - I know it works because I use the clothing products on myself for all my aches and pains!
 
Have you looked at blazewear? They do a heated rug which I saw at Olympia, seemed a good idea. I have got the heated back protector and love it!
 
on a cheap solarium note (as think you could get something for similar price to other suggestions on here) you could try these guys? http://www.Electricfence-online.co....ing/stable-yard-heating/infrared-heaters.html solarium lighting without the "ooh its an equine solarium" price tag! :D. You can also google infrared heaters etc on ebay but tbh they seem fairly priced on here. I bought one of their 3 lamp sets months ago but still waiting for the handyman aka dad to put it up unfortunately!
 
sorry I haven't read all your replies, but I have a free standing halogen patio heater - it's electric you can angle it - it has a weighted base and is not too heavy to move about - it cost under £50.
I use it over the stable directed at the horse whenever I have needed it. It will extend to around 7ft high. :)

This is the type I have (God I am always showing ebay items - I spend too much time on there!)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2000W-Out...arden_Hearing_Cooling_Air&hash=item588f7ea0c9
 
Another option would be to layer up towels/blankets over the horses back, if you are riding straight after put the numnah on aswel. I would also suggest using an exercise sheet.

I would personally never use an electrically heated rug and would only use a massage pad under supervision, have seen a few react quite violently to them now and having used a massage pad for myself when i had a bad back i can understand why.

A good way to help ease his muscles is to "hand groom" the horse, this also helps you to know your horses muscles better so you will be quicker to spot when he is feeling stiffer.

Have heard some good things re Back on Track products :)
 
My equine sports massage lady recommended one of those bean bag things you put in the microwave ! I wrap it in foil and my mare has it on underneath her rug while I'm doing things (10-15mins) also before I ride.
Though I am looking at getting something abit more I just can't decide what yet!
 
I have a super cheap idea!! I read it somewhere but I can't remember where! Might have been on here somewhere...

Line foil in a pillowcase, then sew the pillow case to the stable rug where ever you want it and then the warm of the horse hits the foil which reflects back on to the horse. I've never tried it but its worth a go if your on a budget.
 
Put the saddle on then rug back over the top and walk away for 10 mins. Voila nice warmed up back muscles exactly wear the saddle sits.

I was always taught to put saddle at least 10 mins before riding wherever possible to warm up the back. I'm sure all these new gadgets work just as well but the old fashioned way is great for those of us on a budget and a lot less hassle!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top