Some horses, if in discomfort or particularly sensitive, may find massage overstimulating. Using heat on its own is a great tool in these conditions as it is very non-invasive and is usually accepted well by even the most sensitive of horses. Heat should be concentrated on a small area for best effect. For other horses, its a great tool either on its own or combined with massage, reaping several benefits. Let’s explore them!
The benefits of heat.
Heat can play a valuable role in supporting equine health by promoting healthy muscles and soft tissue, helping to warm up muscles or joints before exercise, maintaining proper lymphatic function, and enhancing both metabolic and nerve activity.
But what does this mean? In essence, heat can help our horses feeling good and promotes healthy muscles, so that they can perform at their best. Not only that, but it gives some of that necessary relaxation time that we all need.
Which Horses can Benefit from Heat?
In short - any horse! But here's a few specifics:
- Older horses.
- Horses that are slow to warm up.
- Young horses who are learning new things.
- Horses undergoing retraining and recruiting new muscles.
- Those returning to work after a period of rest.
- Horses working hard and/or competing.
- For any horse or pony to enjoy!
When to use Massage and Heat
- For horses on box rest to maintain good blood flow.
- After exercise to help support recovery.
- Before exercise as part of a warm up.
- At a show to relax after travelling.
- On your horse’s day off as part of a maintenance programme.
- Anytime as a reward.
How to deliver effective heat for your horse
Providing heat is one thing, but delivering reliable, repeatable, and safe heat that is truly effective is another. For heat therapy to be beneficial, it's believed that tissue temperature must rise by at least 3 to 5°C from its resting level (Bockstahler et al., 2004). The Equilibrium massage products with a heat function have been tested and shown to increase skin temperature by an average of 8.7°C, all while remaining safely within thermal limits.
Massage product options with heat therapy: Heatsense Massage Pad and Hotspot Massage Mitt
In our range, we offer two excellent options from Equilibrium for delivering heat and massage to horses: the Heatsense Massage Pad and the Hotspot Massage Mitt. Both products combine the benefits of massage with therapeutic heat, but each has its own unique features.
Heatsense Massagepad
The Heatsense Massage Pad is ideal for providing targeted heat and massage to larger muscle groups. The pad heats the muscles to a therapeutic temperature of 42°C and is equipped with sensors that automatically regulate the heat to prevent overheating. This makes the pad perfect for use before or after training, or for horses returning from a period of rest. It provides 15 minutes of continuous heat, which helps with recovery and muscle relaxation. Additionally, you can choose heat, massage, or both, with three massage intensity settings. The pad is perfect for daily use with a 30-minute program and is designed to perfectly follow the contours of the horse's back, from the withers to the quarters. It features six evenly distributed massage motors that effectively relax muscles and promote blood circulation. With its battery-operated design, the pad is easy to take with you wherever you go.
Hotspot Massage Mitt
The Hotspot Massage Mitt is a portable, battery-operated solution for targeted heat and massage. It provides an average temperature increase of 8.7°C, which helps improve blood circulation and relax muscles. This product is perfect for quick treatments and ideal for use on smaller areas such as the shoulders, neck, or legs of the horse. You can choose between heat and two different massage styles, with the option to adjust the massage to three different intensities.This allows you to tailor the treatment to the needs of the horse. The Hotspot Mitt offers flexibility for both short and longer sessions and is ideal for use in a busy daily routine with a 10-minute program. Its battery-operated design makes it easy to take and use wherever you go.
Convinced by the Heatsense Massage Pad and Hotspot Massage Mitt? Explore the full range of Equilibrium products!