Recently, there have been
some very good articles on magnetics for horses, yet I still hear people
asking me to simplify magnetics, from the complex medical and scientific
explanations, to an easier to understand explanation. There is also
confusion from some of the claims that have been made, on both sides
of the pain relief question, as well as from the different magnetic
companies.
I have found through my own
discussions with hundreds of Farriers, Vets, Trainers, Medical Doctors
and Ph.D's, that a simple, 'common-sense' approach to magnetic therapy
on horses is necessary. Many horse people want to use magnetics on their
horses. Their problem has been with different claims made about magnetics,
and how to use them. Or, some have spoken to others, and heard some
things about magnetics, and want to know more about this therapy, and
why it is slightly different for horses compared to humans.
To begin with, I am a former
Champion equestrian, from New England, that has become partially disabled
(not from horses). I went through a 'song and dance' with my doctor
and her long list of anti-inflammatories (or NSAID's). I just happen
to have an Encyclopedia about prescription drugs, and I would look up
everything she gave me. Wouldn't you know it? These NSAID's were the
same thing horses get, in a different body weight dose. Now I know how
the horses feel! I had been treated like a horse, by my Doctor!
Soon after that, I decided
to put 'horse-sense' into my own medical care and physical therapy program
(as I was very disillusioned with my doctors). I have stopped taking
NSAID's for over three years. I get Acupuncture from an RN, I go to
a Chiropractor, and most importantly, I use magnetics every day. The
difference in the quality of my life has been like day and night!
Now I am the kind of horse-lover
that tends to translate from 'horse' to 'people' you see, horses are
people to me! I have found in my own research, for my own health, that
NSAID's can actually make Arthritic type pain worse, over long term
use. For me, the NSAID's knotted my guts so much, it made my back pain
worse! Imagine how this must affect horses that are sensitive to colic!
That can kill a horse! What also causes me concern, is that the area
that knots up on a horse, is around where you sit when you ride.
I have also found that in
both horses and people, most have found faster healing and greater pain
relief with magnetics,rather than with these drugs (and without the
side effects).For the stronger, healthier, uninjured individuals, with
no pain, they may not notice or feel anything. That is because magnetics
only do what is needed, to properly align cells. If there is nothing
wrong, the magnetic will only serve to pull proper nutrients to the
area, as well as serve to keep the muscles and soft tissue loose. If
there is nothing wrong, the magnetics are neutral (in non-toxic dose).
Horses, of course, are different
from people. We humans can dissipate heat much faster than horses (dissipate
means sweat more efficiently). Also, both horses and humans have red
blood cells, with metals in the blood, that are pulled by the magnets.
Thus a faster blood flow opens the blood vessels, removing toxins from
the affected area, while rushing oxygen and nutrients to this area,
as well as more blood flow (for poor circulation conditions).
The stronger the magnetic
gauss, the hotter the area will become, with the stronger blood flow.
Therefore, with horses not able to dissipate heat as well as humans,
horses need extra care in the timing, placement and gauss strength used.
The hoof in particular, needs extra caution, as it is well known that
horses can not tolerate heat or excessive moisture in their hoof, as
conditions such as founder, laminitis and thrush can develop.
From my one-to-one research,
I have found many Master Farriers, telling me about their experiences
with magnetics and Navicular-type problems. There was concern about
both implanting a magnet into a hole in the hoof, and with the non-invasive,
external use of magnetics, being too strong (or too hot) for the hoof.
There is a common-sense solution to putting magnetic therapy on a horse,
especially around the hoof area. Let me tell you about my new invention,
POWER PADS, magnetic hoof pads (which are accepted by the USET, for
team horses).
I worked with Master Farriers
from the very beginning of my magnetic hoof pad idea, to make the best
product possible. The New England Farriers, that tried my pads on their
horses, told me "it causes the hoof to grow more RESINOUS"! At first,
I did not understand why these Farriers were excited about this. After
a while I found out why. It would be a non-invasive way to correct the
dry, cracked hoof problem, sore heels and many more conditions, with
its support, shock absorption and low gauss magnetics. Thanks to Master
Farrier John Blombach's kind suggestions, POWER PADS design makes 'horse-sense'.
Power Pads are also an injury
prevention (much like a sneaker is for a child in sports), to maintain
a healthy horse. They can be used with other hoof pads, wedges or other
higher gauss magnetics at the the same time. You see, POWER PADS are
fairly flexible, they combine different ideas that have worked separately
in the past - together in one hoof pad. You can actually say "POWER
PADS are so high-tech, they're old fashioned"!
There are several design
varieties in the planning stages, including one especially for horses
racing on dirt tracks, as well as arthritic horses. There are many more
success stories, already and with POWER PADS, a 100% success rate in
"Field Testing". The "Field Test" horses had the most severe Navicular
problems I could find. One horse was even scheduled to be euthanised.
I did not use any sound horses.
One of the best times to
use magnetic therapy on horses is before or after riding, or during
trucking or handling. On the way to a show, I'm sure your horse would
perform calmer (and more relaxed, or comfortable) and thus give you
a better performance. I know I feel more relaxed and comfortable when
I use my magnetics for my own arthritic pains, than when I must go without
them.
There have been many discussions
on what type of magnetic fields work best (whether using bi-polar or
uni-polar magnetics work best). With bi-polar, you can use either side
of the magnet. With uni-polar, you must be sure NOT to put the positive
side to the pain point. From my own research, both work very well. As
a matter of fact, ANY Non-toxic gauss strength of magnetics will help,
to varying degrees.(See magnetics chart).
Without testing to prove
out this question, and other questions about magnetics, I feel it is
wiser to play it safe with magnetic gauss strength, until it all proves
out on paper. It has been considered safe to not go too high in gauss
strength. I have heard of success with using up to 1290 gauss on VERY
short treatments. I have also had success on with my own Bursitis in
my wrists, with the magnetics my invention uses (under 100 gauss).
* Work with a professional
when using magnetics, whether Farrier, Vet or other equine care taker,
or at least consult one.
* Two short treatments
a day, before and after riding are usually plenty.
* Good to use while trucking,
the horse should arrive calmer and more comfortable.
* Good to use while working
on your horse in the cross-tie, they should be calmer.
Below is a list of Do's and
Don'ts as a "Rule of Thumb" for Magnetic use:
Don'ts
* Never use Magnetics over
an open wound, it will weep and bleed more
* Never exercise a horse with a high gauss magnetic on, damage could
result.
Do's
* Leave your POWER PADS on
and put on the higher strength magnetics for a short period of time,
per application, then take off the higher strength magnetics.
* Use care in the length of time and strength of magnetics used.
