Education Zone

Introduction In the demanding world of equestrian sports, optimising a horse's performance and welfare requires effective warm-up routines. Horses, like human athletes, can benefit from muscle preparation before intense activities. A key innovation in this domain is the Equilibrium Massage Pad Heatsense, a device designed to promote healthy muscles and relieve tension through both targeted heat and massage. A recent study explored the effects of the Equilibrium Massage Pad Heatsense on the shape and dimensions of horses’ backs. Using this device for a single session demonstrated measurable changes in back dimensions, suggesting that the combination of heat and massage could serve as a powerful tool to prepare muscles for performance, which when combined with an active warm-up can help reduce the risk of injury and optimise performance. This article delves into the study's methodology and findings. Methodology The study involved ten horses aged 10 – 14 years of mixed sex and in regular training. Each horse was subject to two days of data collection. On one day the horses’ back was measured before and after a 30-minute session of massage and heat from the Equilibrium Heatsense. On a separate day, back measurements were taken before and after a standardised lunge session so that the degree of change could be compared. Measuring the Back: Saddle fitters regularly measure and record the shape of the horses back at specific points along the spine so they can create a profile of the back. The same method was used in this study. A flexible curve ruler was shaped over the back and the profile transferred to graph paper for analysis. The Massage Session The Equilibrium Massage Pad Heatsense has 6 massage motors evenly spread throughout and is also capable of delivering targeted, therapeutic heat to the lumbosacral area (just behind where the saddle would sit). The massage session lasts for half an hour and within that time the pad delivers 15 minutes of consistent heat at 42 degrees Celsius. This is controlled by temperature sensors that continuously feed back to the control panel, switching the heat on and off, acting like a thermostat. For this study the massage was set to a medium intensity, and the heat function was activated. The Lunge Session To compare the effects of the Heatsense to the effects of an active warm up, the horses’ backs were also measured (on a separate day) before and after a standardised lunge session. The lunging session involved 10 minutes of walk and 7.5 minutes of trot, performed equally on each rein. Results The findings showed that the Equilibrium Massage Pad Heatsense produced statistically significant changes in the shape of the horses’ backs after a single use. The changes in shape are due to the muscles along the back increasing in size due to increased blood circulation and capillary recruitment. The average increase in muscle size was positive across all measurement points. Most horses showed a consistent increase in size, again, at all measurement points. The most prominent enlargement was seen at the “saddle tree point” position (this landmark is three inches from the caudal edge of the scapula and is where the points of the saddle tree align. This is where the saddle angle/ gullet is recorded), with an increase of 37.5 mm at a depth of 13 cm from the back's dorsal midline. These results were statistically significant, meaning they were unlikely to have occurred by chance. Although most measurement points showed an increase in size, some showed a decrease. Prior research suggests that these changes could be explained by the dissipation of fluid or the reduction of underlying muscle tension. The mean differences in dimensional change of the equine back at widths 6 cm, 10 cm and 13cm ventral to the dorsal midline pre and post- use of the Equilibrium Massage Pad Heat Sense © in ten horses. Measurements were taken at six predetermined anatomical landmarks that corresponded to significant muscle groups which were predicted to be influenced by the Equilibrium Massage Pad Heat Sense ©. Light orange columns represent the back dimensions measured at 6cm ventral to the dorsal midline. Darker orange columns represent back dimensions measured at 10 cm ventral to the dorsal midline. The darkest column represents the back dimensions measured at 13 cm ventral to the dorsal midline. Comparison of Massage Pad Heatsense to an active warm up There was no statistically significant correlation between the results from the Heatsense and the exercise session (lunging). This suggests that muscles more affected by exercise were not necessarily more influenced by the Heatsense, indicating that the exercise and Heatsense are yielding slightly differing responses for some areas along the back. Data within this research suggests that some muscular areas may be more effectively prepared by use of the Heatsense than the exercise session (lunging). More research is needed to better understand the relationship between the Heatsense and exercise effects, as well as to explore potential interactions between the two to optimise health and performance. Conclusion The study supports the therapeutic potential of the Equilibrium Massage Pad Heatsense. With proven effectiveness in expanding muscle dimensions, the device offers a non-invasive and safe way to prepare a horse’s back for training or competition. Its unique combination of carefully controlled heat and massage provides a comprehensive approach to muscle activation, enhancing blood flow, and supporting recovery. For equine athletes and leisure horses alike, the Massage Pad Heatsense represents a valuable addition to warm-up and care routines, helping maintain muscle health and potentially reduce the risk of injury. Will the pad affect saddle fit? No. The pad mimics natural back shape changes that occur during exercise. Saddles should be assessed dynamically to fit both the static and moving back shape. Is back shape change beneficial? Yes, it shows that muscles are engaged, supporting posture, balance, and overall health. Why did some muscles decrease in size? Fluid redistribution and muscle relaxation can temporarily reduce muscle size. Can it replace a warm-up? No, while the pad supports blood flow to the back area, a dynamic warm-up also prepares the rest of the body’s musculoskeletal and neuromuscular system, which is essential for safe exercise. How was the back measured? Back measurements were taken by an experienced saddle fitter in the same way that they would be for saddle fit. This is done using a flexible curve ruler which is placed across the back at various points along the back, located by bony landmarks. Thank you to Jasmine Gutsell from Ivy House Saddlery for conducting this research.

Stretch & Flex Wraps are made from Stomatex® Originally developed for human athletes, Stomatex® was designed to provide four way stretch, to enable use around mobile joints, plus excellent support for active limbs, and an outstanding ability to keep the skin dry. Stomatex® is a revolutionary material, used across a wide range of products throughout the world including the sport and leisure industry, transport and healthcare to name but a few. It is used in the manufacture of heat acclimatisation suits, padding for wheelchairs, special wetsuits and sports injury support bandages. Stomatex® is an unusual looking, spotty material. It is a high performance fabric made from lightweight, ultra-thin, non porous polyester membrane that has multiple innovative uses. This unique material demonstrates superior tensile strength and elasticity, whilst offering significant advantages over various plastic foam materials. These factors make Stomatex® ideal for close contour applications where body movement must remain unhindered. Stomatex® works by replicating the way in which the stomata of a plant breaths and removes excess water through transpiration. How does Stomatex work? Trapped vapour molecules are efficiently removed from beneath the fabric by the flexing action of minute dome shaped chambers, each with a tiny pore in the centre. Reflecting the rate of physical activity, the chambers create a self-contained micro climate, allowing cooler, drier air to pass through at a controlled rate. This keeps the skin free from perspiration and maintains an ideal skin temperature over an extended period of time. By imitating this process Stomatex® is able to overcome the problems of perspiration and over-heating traditionally associated with the use of closed cell foam materials. It can therefore ensure that body heat, blood flow and compression remain consistent during a wide range of activities. Stomatex® provides a unique four way stretch to enable use around mobile joints such as that  in the lower limb of the horse and an outstanding ability to keep skin dry preventing damage  from perspiration. The harder the horse works, the more Stomatex® works meaning that more heat will be dispelled from the wrap keeping the leg at a comfortable temperature level.

As owners of horses, ponies, and donkeys, we all know how heartbreaking it can be to see images and reports of animals needlessly suffering, without the love and care they all so desperately deserve. Many of us simply wish we could take them home ourselves, but luckily help is at hand in the form of rescue charities up and down the country, like Redwings Horse Sanctuary. Last week Candice and I took a break from the Equilibrium Products head office to go and meet the residents and staff at Redwings Ada Cole centre in Essex, and to get a taste of the vital work they do to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome horses, ponies and donkeys. So, with a car packed with tasty treats and supplements, including Vitamunch, Simply Irresistible, Simply Sunshine, and of course our new Crunchits Advent Calendars, we were ready to go and meet some very special equines. Redwings Ada Cole is home to 90 horses, ponies and donkeys, each with their own harrowing stories of how they ended up at the centre. Guided by Redwings team members Steph and Jess, we were taken from field to field, each filled with herds of happy, content, and healthy animals. As we walked, Steph and Jess told us about many of the animals in their care, how they arrived, and their personalities (like Edward the pony, who Jess proclaimed as a personal favourite and has a tendency to steal buckets for fun…). Many of the stories we heard started tragically, particularly as many of the horses and ponies at the centre originated from Spindles farm, an infamous case of horrific neglect affecting over 100 horses. For all, it is hard to believe the horses they are talking about are the same ones in the field; one such case is Zippy. As one of Redwings’ ‘Adoption Stars’ Zippy is quite the celebrity at the centre. Despite a tough start in life, this stunning Gelderlander is the picture of health, and very affectionate with both visitors and staff alike. During our day at Redwings Ada Cole, we were treated to an up close and highly personal view of what life is like at the centre. Taking pictures with our chosen Adoption Stars Zippy, Elvis, Tinkerbell, and donkey Del Boy, we could see just how caring and dedicated the staff are to every resident, and how important it is to educate visitors about the plight of rescue animals. It also clear to see that the interaction, and support from the public is vital for continuing the charity’s work; as the largest equine rescue charity in the UK, and with 1500 equines in their care nationwide, there is certainly a lot of work to do! So what can be done to help? Redwings relies on fundraising and donations, but we think one of the best and most rewarding ways to get involved is by adopting one of the charity’s many Adoption Stars. For only £15 you can adopt a horse, pony or donkey for a year and receive a picture and regular updates, access to your Star’s online diary and even an invitation to your adopted horse or donkey’s birthday party! Whether as a gift for a loved one, or as a new four-legged friend for you, adopting with Redwings is a simple but rewarding way of helping to support their rescue efforts, and on-going care of these very special horses. Adopt an Adoption Star here Sadly, not all of us have the time or resources to rehome these wonderful animals ourselves, but by supporting charities like Redwings we as horse, pony and donkey lovers can be sure that rescued equines all over the country will receive the love, care and attention they need to be bought back to health. So, in the run up to winter why not help by adopting, donating, or take a visit to your local Redwings centre to see the wonderful work they do for yourself? You’re sure to have an eye-opening experience, and if you’re lucky may even get to witness the ‘donkey button’ in action! Find out more about how you can help here Please note: If you do visit your local Redwings Centre, if you bring any treats for the horses, please drop them at the visitors centre on arrival. Please do not feed the horses, ponies and donkeys directly.

COWS can wear FLY MASKS and ten more things you may not know about the Field Relief range. As horse owners ourselves, we understand the importance of a long lasting, comfortable and well fitting fly mask. It’s the ‘difference is in the detail’ that makes our Field Relief range rank Best in Tests*. But did you know? 1. DUSK TO DAWN Our Field Relief Fly Masks can be worn all day and all night. Its often early morning or late evening when midges and other biting insects are at their worst – the Field Relief range is so comfortable and visibility is great that keeping them on overnight means you catch the midges from dusk til dawn . For horses out 24/7, we do recommend making sure you check your horse regularly and allow him time without the mask to prevent risk of rubbing. 2. RECOMMENDED BY VETS The Field Relief range has been recommended by vets. With UV protection and clever design features, our fly masks are perfect for horses and ponies with common eye complaints and those sensitive to light. 3. SHAPED TO FIT The Field Relief Fly Masks actually have ‘ear shaped’ ears – we use a super comfortable and breathable soft mesh for our ergonomically shaped ear pieces to offer the best fit and comfort. 4. SUPERIOR FABRICS We source only the best fabrics for our fly masks. The fabrics are chosen for their durability, breathability and protection. The PVC coated polyester is a solar screen fabric, designed to reduce heat transfer and protect from the glare and harmful rays from the sun whilst allowing air and light to pass through the mask. 5. UP TO 80% UV PROTECTION This Solar Screen fabric is proven and tested to block out up 80% of sun rays in the Field Relief Max and up to 70% for the Field Relief Midi Mask. 6. SOFT AND COMFORTABLE For ultimate comfort we use a soft mesh for around jaw area and behind ears to prevent rubbing and irritation for the horse 7. ADJUSTABLE TO FIT To cater for an array of different shapes and sizes of horses and ponies, our Field Relief Fly Masks are adjustable to fit. The muzzle protector/ nose piece can be adjusted higher or lower and can be detached on days when it’s not needed. The hook and loop fastenings under the jaw and behind the ears provide a secure fit for a wide range of horses and ponies. 8. THE DIFFERENCE IN THE DETAIL Careful design and thoughtful additions make the Field Relief range as popular now than ever. Carefully positioned darts in the face pieces ensures good eye clearance, comfort and great visibility. The soft sponge padding around the brow area and on the noseband prevents rubbing and offers that extra level of comfort. Elastic bound edges are added for a secure fit, supreme comfort and importantly, to stop pesky flies from getting in underneath mask. 9. MADE FOR DONKEYS TOO! From Shetlands to Shires and Donkeys too.. We make our Field Relief Fly Masks in a wide of range of sizes from extra, extra small to extra large and even donkeys too catering for those special ears. 10. EASY TO USE, EASY TO WASH Field Relief Fly Masks are washable; easy to hand wash or on a gentle machine wash means they come out looking like new. Combines protection against sun and insects, with comfort. Twice Voted Best in Test – Horse & Rider Magazine 2012 and 2018

Jack Dawson – Heart Stopper Jack Dawson retired sound from racing at the age of 10 in autumn 2007 after 71 races. During Jack’s career he won eleven races, nine on the flat and two over hurdles. John Berry of Beverley House Stables, his Newmarket Trainer, commented that Jack was a versatile and genuine character, winning races over a variety of distances and conditions. However, Jack did have a few setbacks during his eight years of racing.  These included sarcoids as 2 year old, a fractured pelvis in 2002 and a fractured cannon bone in 2005. Jack is owned by Equilibrium’s Margaret Donnelly and Paul Wright.  Originally part of a racing syndicate, they took Jack home with them to Buckinghamshire at the end of his racing career. After Jack retired from racing he was given three months of rest to get used to a new way of life on a small yard. Margaret Donnelly said “As he was just 10 years old we felt that he could be retrained as a riding horse.  He was just too young to retire completely and he still wanted to be in the centre of things. Without a job to do Jack gets up to all sorts of mischief including opening field gates to let all the horses out and locking me in the feed room for several hours”. Sensitive & Sore Racing puts a large amount of strain on a horse’s back, broken in at a young age to compete, race horses can become rigid and hollow in their way of going. Jack was very sensitive and wasn’t keen to have anyone touch his back with a new saddle so after Jack’s rest he was brought slowly back into work. Jack happily wore the Equilibrium Magnetic back pad underneath his stable blanket every night and over time both the Equilibrium Magnetic back pad and the Equilibrium Massage pad have helped him significantly. The Equilibrium Massage Pad was used on Jack almost everyday. He always has a session before he is ridden, helping warm up his back considerably before anyone gets on. (You can tell if Jack hasn’t had his massage!) Both of these products have helped Jack’s back noticeably, aiding him to become more supple in many movements, being physically able to engage his hindquarters and stay in a more consistent outline. John Berry says Jack’s old trainer, John Berry, commented that “Jack’s toughness is shown by the statistics of his career, which lasted nine seasons and comprised 71 races, 11 of which he won.  However, the essence of his toughness was his ability to bounce back from setbacks; he had a few injuries along the way, some of which would have been career-ending to a lesser horse, but each time he made a complete recovery and returned to action with renewed enthusiasm.  Most horses would lose the will to compete after setbacks such as these, but his love of competing never diminished and he remained as fiercely competitive in his final season as he had been at the outset. All in all, he was just a very tough, professional and very genuine racehorse.  He wasn’t a champion and didn’t have the potential to be one, but over the years he probably over-performed because of his immense fighting spirit and determination to compete and to win.” A start of a new career Endurance rider, Lorna Kidson, met Jack a few years ago. Lorna says, “I was asked by Margaret if I thought their ex racehorse Jack Dawson might be suitable for endurance. With TLC and a lot of time and patience, Margaret and dressage rider Laura Plant had re-schooled him and even done a few dressage tests. Whilst Jack was such a willing boy that he completed his tests and completed them very well, Margaret didn’t really feel that he enjoyed it but thought he was not quite ready just to be a field ornament! At his initial events,  it took quite a bit of patience and calmness to get Jack to settle as he thought he was going racing and was very suspicious of the vetting and the farrier checks. He is very sensitive and is wary of strangers.  His body is covered in old sarcoid scars and this may have made him more cautious about being touched. The use of carrots however to distract him worked a treat until he got used to strange people touching him. We also practiced at the yard with getting different people handling him.  He did very well in his first season – racking up several Grade 1s.2010 was a successful year for him, as Jack upgraded to Advanced. He won both a performance formula class and a Rufus points class and he consistently got a grade 1 or 2. He is fast on course as he has such a huge stride; he happily trots along at well in excess of 20kph. Unfortunately he bruised his feet quite badly when he lost both front shoes whilst at Lindum Spirit Endurance Ride and we decided to do quite a bit of remedial work to sort his feet out.  This meant he was turned away for the rest of the year.  2011/2012 In 2011, and at the age of 14, Jack came back with renewed vigour.  He completed four events and was graded in all of them. This resulted in Jack winning the runner-up prize for the South Essex Insurance Brokers and Retraining of Racehorses’ Elite Performance Award for Endurance, a fantastic achievement. Winning ROR Endurance Award 2012 was another year off, with Jack recovering from a leg injury but 2013 was to be a better year.  Contesting the ROR Elite Performance Award again, Jack won by a mile with 1605 points.  This resulted in him taking part in a ROR parade at Ascot Racecourse on King George Day – almost more than he could handle.  Needless to say he was more than excited to be back on a racecourse! Happy Retirement In 2014 Jack stared the season aimed for a cup race but Lorna felt that his heart just wasn’t in it.  The decision was made to retire him completely and he now spends his days happily alongside his sister, Jenny Dawson and the other Equilibrium horses. Margaret says, “Jack is a sensitive and quirky horse but he is also very genuine and tries his heart out. Even when he is exhausted at the end of a race, if you ask, he will dig deep for you and find that inner core of toughness that makes Jack such a unique person. To have been so long in racing (71 races and 8 years) it is a testimony to Jack’s big heart that he has completely adjusted to a new way of life and is being so successful at a new sport. It is a privilege to have such a wonderful character in our lives. His resilience, his enthusiasm and his ability to overcome problems is a lesson to us humans.”

Margaret Donnelly, Timmy’s owner and founder of Equilibrium Products talks about what it’s like having a horse that frantically tosses their head, how she solved the problem and how helping her horse, she actually managed to help so many other horses too. I bought Timmy as an un-backed two year old in Ireland. I just fell in love with him – he was such a classy horse! He was backed as a 3/4 year old, and from day one, he was always a fantastic horse for hacking. As a 5 year old, it started becoming clear that he had developed a violent reaction when ridden for probably about the first 10 minutes, where he was tossing his head, trying to strike his nose with his front leg, rearing up, he was snorting continually – literally just one day, completely out of the blue! I remember hacking him out one day that wasn’t too hot or with too many flies, but he got so bad, that I actually got off and put my jacket over his head to calm him down – and that gave him instant relief! One of the other things I noticed, is that when I had him tied up, what he liked to do was rub the end of his nose against the old, traditional brick stables, which seemed to settle him! He would also often try hide his face from any wind or anything like that. He would try tuck it under my arm or something like that to shield it. So working in product development for all of my career, I was used to having a problem, and trying to solve it. Knowing a little bit about sewing as well, I got out my sewing machine and started making a few things for him. After a few weeks of trying different things, I found this very rough mesh that basically, with a close fit, worked the best for him. I noticed he liked to wriggle his nose against it, so it almost provided like a little scratching pad for him. So I found a solution for my horse, I was so delighted! I was being faced with having this fabulous horse that I fell in love with as a two year old, and having to put him down as a 5 year old because the head tossing behaviour had become so violent. No one wants to make that decision. As it was though, he went on to be a fabulous dressage horse, who didn’t really ever miss a Regional Championships. He got to the National Championships and was placed 10th – just got in the ribbons!  Then, more people got to know about this and asked me what was on Timmy’s nose… Although it was quite subtle, which I liked. The design also allowed saliva to escape so it was comfortable to wear, easy to wash and could stay on the bridle all the time, so it was quite easy. I’m always one for keeping things simple, for both horse and owner! I had someone else on my yard say they also had a horse showing the same behaviour, could I make her a Muzzle Net too… turns out, she was also having lessons with someone who had a Grand Prix horse who was also a horse doing the same thing, could I make them one? At the time I was working full time in London, coming back every evening and making more and more Muzzle Nets, and I thought, there’s actually more horses showing this behaviour than I realised – I originally felt very isolated because I thought I was one of the few people who had experienced this! What I decided to do from there was contact the Royal Veterinary College, and they put me in touch with De Montford University and Dr. D. Mills, who was designing a survey to determine if there was a correlation between breeds, ages, background, training, feed, or some sort of pattern of horses across the UK that were showing this head shaking behaviour. I contacted Dr Mills, and at the time, he and his PHD student Katy Taylor were actually trying to test potential products that might reduce the frequency of the head shaking behaviour. I showed him the Muzzle Net and he said, he thought that actually from the feedback from the panel and observations, he felt the Muzzle Net might have a good chance of helping a lot of horses. It went into the clinical trial and was tested against a number of other products, but the Muzzle Net was the most effective of them all. It didn’t help everybody. But it did indicate that 79% horses showed a decrease in the frequency of the head shaking behaviour. In fact, 50% of the horses showed a 100% improvement, which was incredible. The Net Relief Muzzle Net I was at work one day, and I had a friend who was helping me with orders for Net Relief Muzzle Net. She rang me to say the phone had been going mad for the Muzzle Net with people wanting to know where they could get it from, because Horse & Hound had done an article on it. I was working just off Oxford Street in London and I ran down to try find a Horse & Hound somewhere in the middle of London – going into every WHSmiths looking for it. Eventually I got it, and there was a tiny article, about an eighth of a page, showing a picture of Timmy with his Muzzle Net on! This made it clear that Timmy wasn’t in such a small minority, and this was a product that lots of people had been waiting on. The reason Horse & Hound had written the article, was because British Dressage had allowed the Muzzle Net to be used in competition, with written dispensation from the vet. It was a break-though! The letters we’ve had since then to now have been fantastic. We even had one owner in Canada thanking us, saying ‘Thank you for giving me my horse back’, which makes me feel very emotional.

Kissing Spine in horses seems to be all too common today with so many diagnosed. We caught up with Clara Kavanagh about her horse Chili, who is currently in rehabilitation following ‘the ligament snip’, as she explains his symptoms & diagnosis, her decision and the recovery!  The Early Days “I started looking for my ‘dream horse’ last summer, this was a very exciting time for me as I had only ever been able to beg, borrow and lease ponies/horses in my childhood up until I finished my degree in Equine Management. I purchased Chili in August 2018, he is a 6 year old Thoroughbred. I always thought about buying a racehorse and retraining them for a new career. Chili was last raced in June 2018 under the name Farrier Fury. I knew Chili was the right horse for me as he had such a great temperament and once I got him home he was brought on very slowly and took to his new career like a duck to water. He has always acted like an absolute gentleman wherever I brought him! The plan was to gently start him over the winter with a goal to compete in our Riding Club Dressage Spring league and do some Retraining Racehorse to Riding horse classes in the summer of 2019.” The Start of Our Setbacks “Chili unfortunately got a stone bruise in February which I thought would be our only hiccup. However this was only the beginning of our setbacks. One day I went to tack him up for a short hack and noticed he was unusually girthy, and he was very grumpy, which isn’t like him at all. I called the physio to come take a look at him. The physio was concerned that he was showing a lot of stiffness over his back and sacroiliac region, the first thing that came to mind for me was Kissing Spine.  His whole temperament had changed, it was hard for me as it was like I was losing my best friend. I was worried about Chili, so I rang our local vet. I had the vet out to give Chili a once over, the vet gave us advice to continue light work. I had people telling me that I must be imagining something was wrong or that I was silly spending money for the physio and vet to come out just because I had a gut feeling. I was starting to think, they might be right or I might be a hypochondriac the way I was worrying because even though the vet gave him a once over I knew something wasn’t right with him. I wanted to get a second opinion, so I rang Troytown Greyabbey Equine Hospital and spoke to their lameness/orthopaedic specialist and explained my concerns.  So I booked him in for an appointment the following week. Diagnosis Chili spent about two hours having a full lameness diagnostic done which consisted of a trot up, lunging, flexion tests and x-rays. On seeing the X-rays it confirmed my fears, it was Kissing Spine, he had four processes touching. The vet confirmed that the kissing spine had most likely resulted from his racing career and his back conformation. Our choice was to have surgery (Interspinous Ligament Desmotomy, aka ‘The Ligament Snip’) or to medicate via corticosteroid injections. Chili also turned out to have a bone chip on his near hind fetlock however it causes him no issues! I brought him back to the hospital for bone scintigraphy scans, this helped me decide that the surgical route would be in Chili’s best interest as he was still a young horse and he would benefit the most from the ligament snip. The specialist vet was optimistic that if the surgery and rehab was successful Chili would be more than capable of returning to a competitive career with a rehab time of 6-8 weeks. This meant there was a small glimmer of hope for us, so I booked Chili in for surgery. Chili spent 4 days at the Equine Hospital, the surgery went very well, and Chili began intensive hand walking by the nurses the day after surgery. I brought Chili home on 26th of April and have been continuing to hand walk him for 30 minutes twice daily. Chili has since had a check up at Troytown Greyabbey to remove the stitches and the vet could not be happier with his progress.  He has been an absolute pleasure to rehab so far, he really is my dream horse! My advice to any horse owners that may be going through the same challenges as Chili and I faced would be to always trust your gut, you alone know you’re horse well enough to make the right choice regarding what is best for them. If in doubt don’t be afraid to ask for help or a second opinion. I dread to think how long Chili might have continued to soldier on in pain had I not trusted my gut. I would highly recommend the Equilibrium Massage Pad to any horse owner. It is very easy to incorporate into your everyday routine warm-up/warm down and it has made a big difference to Chili! It was comforting to know that the massage pad kept him relaxed! Chili is now starting week 4, he has started long reining in walk this week and will incorporate work in a Pessoa once the incision points on his back have had more time to heal. Our Physio has also been out this week to release any tension and do some laser therapy. I have been using Massage Pad and Magnetic Rug daily since the operation and it is honestly like having my best friend back! He is much more relaxed in himself and I have Troytown Greyabbey and Equilibrium Products to thank for that! Chili has another 4 weeks at least until he can begin work back under saddle but its a big step in the right direction!”  

Poll Injuries from Horses Pulling Back, from a Veterinary Physiotherapists point of view:   It is inevitable that most horses will be tied up from time to time, whether on the yard, in their stable, or in a lorry or trailer. Some horses will be more comfortable with this than others. I’m sure we can all think of a time where our horse has pulled back to the point where a head collar, or a lead rope has released and they have broken free. It is also likely most of us can think of a time where a horse has pulled back and they haven’t broken free but have panicked and put a considerable amount of force against their poll, their neck and their back. As a physiotherapist, I am often called to horses that have suddenly become head shy, difficult to tack up and groom and have also become more resistant to the contact in ridden work. The onset of a majority of these cases can be traced back to an incident where the horse has pulled back whilst being tied up. These horses often present with reduced range of motion in the poll and tension in the muscles around this area. The structures commonly affected are the splenius muscle, occipitohyoid muscle, the nuchal ligament and the atlanto-occipital joint. In more severe cases, muscle strains can be seen along the length of the neck and into the back. The hind quarters may present strains too, especially if the horse didn’t manage to break free and they may have slipped with their hind legs. In a survey of 5615 respondents*, 75% of head collar injuries occurred when tied up, and injuries ranged from cuts, all the way to fractures. In a worst case scenario, pulling back in a head collar that doesn’t break can lead to poll fracture which can be career changing for a horse. Obviously this is something that we all want to avoid and so this is definitely a situation where prevention is better than cure. This is why I would always recommend using a head collar or lead rope that will break away and release before causing extensive damage to your horse. *Survey of 5615 respondents, Dr David Marlin, October 2019. Victoria Boakes, Veterinary Physiotherapist  Vicky studied Equine Sports Science at the University of Lincoln and went on to complete a 2 year Post-Graduate course, CEPT, to become a Veterinary Physiotherapist. With many years experience treating both equine and canine clients, Vicky has a particular interest in equine performance therapy. 

Product testing is an important part of our company DNA, and while scientific testing is important to us, knowing exactly what horse owners (and most importantly - their horses!) think of the products and the benefit they provide them is just as vital too! Our Massage Pad Heatsense development followed this same protocol. Working with equine physiotherapists and electrical experts, we designed the Heatsense to deliver therapeutic levels of heat consistently, but also SAFELY. Once we were confident in this, the Pad was trialled both in house and out of house by a number of different horses in different disciplines. Once the concept was tweaked and finalised, we took the product on the road and here's just some of the reviews from those who have tried it!  Emily Mustow Eventing I was lucky enough to be one of the riders who got to trial the Heatsense whilst at Osberton International competing in the CCI2* with 21 year old Prime Time II. At his age, getting through trot both trot ups was a little nerve wracking. However the HeatSense, along with the magnetic boots, helped keep Fred relaxed, warm and supple which meant he flew through both trot ups easily. On dressage day, Fred wore the heat sense about an hour before his test while he was being plaited up. He was so relaxed and seemed to really enjoy it. He then went on to do his best ever international dressage test to score a 33. He was so cooperative and on side. He can be a real nervous horse in this phase, so for him to finally show what he can do was very emotional. I will definitely be getting my own Heat Sense ready for next season!  Tamsin O'Connor Aero (Riversides Caballero) is a 15.3hh, 9 year old, Warmblood x Part-Bred Arab, chestnut gelding. It was a bit touch and go for the BRC Championships as it became apparent the week before that he had tweaked his back and required an emergency chiro treatment the night before we were leaving! However, we won both our Prelim Championships the day before our Music Championship, which was amazing, but he still felt a little tentative. On the Sunday I was very grateful that we had booked the new Heatsense pad to trial before my music tests. We finished 3rd in the Novice with 70%, and to top off an already incredible weekend we WON our Prelim with 73% - they were big classes and many superb horses competing so never did I imagine we could do so well! After using the Heatsense pad he really felt great, tried hard, and absolutely gave me everything.  Sophie Wymark This massage pad is incredible, my horse instantly showed releases when the massage and heat pads were turned on. She felt much more supple over her back and quarters during her warm-up when we trialled it at the British Riding Club NAF Five Star Introductory Championships. It has been added to her Christmas list!  Lauren Lanik - Adventures of Megatron Mega has been lucky enough to trial the Equilibrium Products HeatSense Massage Pad over the last month or so. I bought the standard massage pad for Mega over 2 years ago and I’ve always seen benefits of using it so was intrigued to see the differences vs the new HeatSense pad. - I love the extra length of the pad to provide full coverage across their entire back - the self temperature regulating heat element of the pad gives me complete reassurance that Mega is benefitting from the optimum temperature for her muscles - the elasticated belly straps make securing the pad fast and easy - no having to adjust them if you’ve put the pad on over a rug - the additional motors in the massage pad seemed to noticeably provide further relaxation vs the standard pad - the option to run just the massage function or heat or run them together! Full multi purpose/use item making it great value Katie Rogers Equine Physiotherapist - Founder of Sky Equine Rehabilitation We are very lucky to have been given the opportunity of trialling for a few weeks, the new Equilibrium Massage Pad HeatSense.  This was launched at the beginning of this month and so far it is proving very  much loved by our patients. Most of them have experienced it now and they all fall asleep.  We use an array of the Equilibrium Products anyway for the physio and rehab of our horses and the addition of the heat to the massage pad is a welcomed one. Each of our horses have an individual programme of treatments and plans and the massage pad features heavily in it.  It works amazingly at helping to reduce tension in their back, especially when on box rest and maintaining a good level of circulation.  With the heat addition, it helps to warm the muscles as well as providing that massage effect. We love it at Sky Equine and so do our horses.  It's on the Christmas Wish List

From rescuing to rehabilitating to rehoming, Redwings Horse Sanctuary is a charity 100% funded by donations, with all funds going towards helping horses in desperate need. Redwings Caldecott is the largest Redwings visitor centre in the UK and is a forever home to nearly over 100 horses, ponies, donkeys and mules. For many of these four-legged furry friends, their forever home will be at the sanctuary, with those that are fully healthy and have been successfully rehabilitated, are put on the path to finding loving homes too! Our Team Volunteer Day at Redwings. Back in August 2021, the team here at Equilibrium Products ventured to Caldecott near Great Yarmouth, for a day of volunteering at Redwings Horse Sanctuary. The team helped throughout the morning, doing various jobs including gardening and tidying the memorial garden, as well as sorting and labelling through various preloved items that had been donated that would be then sold on to help raise more funds for the charity. Thank you for your donations! As our day of volunteering came to an end, we took this as a perfect opportunity to present Redwings with our donation of £3,097.77, with a special thanks going to all our lovely customers who purchased our Crunchit Advent Calendar and Christmas Crackers back in 2020; to whom without we wouldn’t have been able to present such a large donation. There's still a way to donate! You can still donate now with every purchase on our website!