Magnetic boots, rugs and wraps are widely used by horse owners as part of their horses’ everyday management and recovery routines. Most wearable magnetic products for horses use static magnets, which produce a constant magnetic field without requiring a power source.
These products are commonly used as a complementary part of a horse’s routine rather than as a replacement for veterinary treatment.
Here are five useful things to know before using magnetic products on your horse.
Here are 5 things you might not have known about magnets.
1) They are suitable for all horses.
Magnets can be used on all horses and ponies to maintain healthy muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments.
They are great to help horses that are working hard, feel the cold, or maybe those who are being brought back into work and are recruiting muscles that haven’t been used for a while.
"Love these! Feel they make a difference to my old boy who’s stiff and arthritic in front. Easy to move magnets to where you want and easy to put on." Samantha Gillespie
2) Let them do their work overnight.
Using magnets doesn’t have to cause an inconvenience to your routine or require extra time. While some other magnetic products can only be used for a limited amount of time, our Magnetic Range is designed to fit into your schedule – so you can leave them on overnight and use them everyday.
In an ideal world, magnets should be used for at least 4 hours if possible – making an overnight solution super convenient, especially when we all know time can be short on the yard, particularly during winter!
"Fantastic fit, easy to put on and take off and to wash for daily use. And they stay on! Which is a huge bonus, unlike other boots." Helen Gallagher
3) Neodymium, Ceramic, Rubber – not all magnets are the same.
There are lots of different types of magnets made up of various components, and the type of magnet can also determine the strength. You can be blinded by science but apart from strength, there are a few other things to consider – such as weight, flexibility, how they are being applied, and as they have a local or targeted effect, are the magnets where you need them to be? Our Magnetic Range use unique magnets which can be moved to exactly where YOU need them.
"I love these magnetic chaps - they’re warm, magnets are easy to move around, the ideal aid for arthritic horses!" Trusted Customer
4) A higher gauss number doesn't automatically mean a better magnetic product
Every magnet will have a gauss surface strength. This is what makes it stick to a metal surface, i.e. a fridge magnet sticking to a fridge. It is important to understand however, that this surface measurement is not necessarily representative of its effect on your horse.
The distance between the magnet and the body, its size, shape and positioning can all influence the magnetic field reaching the target area.
For a horse product, practical considerations such as fit, comfort, flexibility and whether the magnets can be positioned where required are therefore also important.
5) Magnets don’t wear out.
Magnets used in most magnetic products are called Static Magnets – where they have been ‘charged’ and then hold that charge for the remainder of their days. This means their magnetic field will remain constant and the results should not diminish over time, with proper care of course!
Do Magnetic Boots for Horses Work?
Scientific evidence specifically relating to static magnetic products in horses is currently limited. However, magnetic boots and rugs continue to be widely used by horse owners, many of whom report positive experiences when incorporating them into their horse’s everyday management and recovery routine.
Magnetic products are best considered a complementary management option rather than a treatment for injury, lameness or disease.
For many owners, their appeal lies in being non-invasive, easy to use and simple to incorporate into stable routines, particularly during periods of rest.
If your horse is injured, lame or showing unexplained pain or swelling, always seek veterinary advice rather than relying on a magnetic product alone.
