There are a wide range of equine therapy products on the market for improving your horses' core strength and muscle condition as part of your horse physiotherapy plan. Our horse, Mr Will, has recently been struggling after an old hock injury had left him with weakened core strength, a little soreness through the back and tightness through the sacroiliac joint.
After discussions with our vet and horse physio, we implemented a six weeklong rehabilitation plan to improve core strength, hindlimb placement and overall muscle. This rehabilitation plan has been implemented after administration of steroid injections to improve overall comfort. We have put to the test a range of equine therapy products and provide honest feedback on our findings. We always advise consulting professionals prior to undertaking any equine horse therapy program. Please note, these findings are based purely on our personal experience.
Catago FIR-Tech All Purpose Training Saddle Pad – Core Band Saddle Pad
There are a considerable number of core bands and training pads on the market but we decided to trail the Catago FIR-Tech All Purpose Training Saddle Pad. This saddle pad features an elasticated strap which sits behind the girth under the barrel and one which sits around the hindquarters to improve hindlimb engagement. This pad offered a really straight forward option without needing to modify existing equipment to accommodate core bands.
The saddle pad is really easy to use, offers good wither clearance and features girth loops for ease of positioning of the roller or girth. The elasticated straps are incredibly easy to adjust allowing you to introduce the bands comfortably, increasing the pressure once the horse becomes accustomed to the feel. We opted for this saddle pad above others as the FIR-Tech technology in the pad would also assist with improving any soreness in the musculature of the back; in summary the fibres used to make the saddle pad are coated in ceramic powder which reflects body heat as far infrared energy radiation; this improves blood flow to the area for optimum muscle function and recovery.
The pad has been used for long lining and two line lunging sessions as well as during raised pole exercises and we will continue using it as we progress back into ridden work. We opted to use a well fitting roller, leather side reins and two lines for our lunging and long line work.
We found introducing the Catago FIR-Tech All Purpose Training Saddle Pad straight forward and Mr Will was accepting to the pressure; over the weeks we have shortened the straps around 7 inches to improve engagement and have seen no adverse behaviours to the pressure from the bands. Our takeaway points after using the pad are:
• The straps are incredibly easy to adjust and the fleece cover can be removed easily for washing
• The therapy saddle pad offers good clearance so no pressure is forced onto the wither
• The saddle pad doesn’t move during lunging or long reining when used in conjunction with a roller
• Mr Will accepted the pad within the first session and showed no adverse behaviours as the core bands were tightened
• We will be continuing to use the pad during ridden work as the results achieved in combination with the equine horse therapy program plan have been very positive
• The Catago FIR-Tech All Purpose Training Saddle Pad is available in an all purpose or dressage cut so is suitable for most designs of saddle
Equilibrium Heatsense Massage Pad
We have consistently used the Heatsense Equilibrium Therapy Massage Pad after every lunging or long lining session to optimise muscle recovery. We have found that Mr Will shows increased relaxation during use with lots of yawning and he shows a reduction in tightness, particularly around the sacroiliac joint. Mr Will is quite aversive to any form of vibration (clippers / handheld massage gun etc) but he absolutely loves this massage pad and is unphased by the vibration which came as quite a surprise to us (we attempted a session with a pulse massage product which he sadly did not tolerate!) He absolutely loves the Heatsense Equilibrium Therapy Massage Pad, looks extremely relaxed and shows no aversion to the vibration from the massage.
Our takeaway points after using the pad are:
• This horse massage pad is super quiet so if you are worried about sharp horses reacting negatively, you need not be!
• The heatsense massage pad only delivers the correct amount of therapeutic heat for optimum muscle recovery and then switches off – this smart heat technology ensures muscles are perfectly primed for optimum recovery.
• We like the length of this pad as it is longer than a standard equilibrium massage pad and targets a greater area of the back muscles.
• We have seen a clear reduction in sensitivity through the back muscles on palpation
Improving overtracking
This is one of the cheapest techniques our horse physiotherapist advised for improving engagement of the hind limbs by improving proprioception (in short, the horses awareness of where they are placing their feet and their body!)
By applying any overreach boot to the weaker limb, studies show a direct result in engagement of the limb and improved proprioception. We decided to put overreach boots on both hind fetlocks to improve overtracking. We opted to do this on alternate days and found it really helped, notably more in raised pole work.
A little treat to finish off!
In conjunction with our equine horse therapy plan, we have regularly incorporated a magnetic massage mitt into our daily grooms. Magnetic therapy assists with:
• Facilitating muscle recovery post-exercise
• Alleviating tension and promoting relaxation
• Decreasing joint stiffness and inflammation
• Enhancing overall wellbeing
• Aiding in injury rehabilitation
Findings
We have been really impressed with the results 4 weeks into the rehabilitation plan. We can’t pinpoint which specific product has been the most beneficial in the plan but we will certainly be continuing with the routine whilst we recommence ridden work as we feel all of the products we have used as part of this rehabilitation plan have really helped make a positive difference.
There has been a notable lift in the oblique muscles (>1-2 inch) when at rest and the hindlimb muscles are starting to show more uniformity. Prior to starting the rehabilitation plan, there was a notable dip in the nearside gluteal and bicep but this is showing improvement which we are really impressed with after such a short period of time.
When we recommence ridden work, we plan to use the Heatsense Equilibrium Therapy Massage Pad before and after exercise to maintain relaxation in the back muscles. We will continue use of the Catago FIR-Tech All Purpose Training Saddle Pad for under saddle work as we really feel it has helped improve his hindlimb engagement.
Check back in another four weeks for our progress under saddle.
