Tension is often one of the most common reasons for poor performance in horses and by increasing relaxation and improving back flexibility, the negative effects of tension can be reduced!
Like us, most horses can benefit from a massage session but maintaining a healthy back through massage can help prevent performance inhibitors such as stiffness, hollowness, shortened stride length, or in more serious cases napping, bucking and rearing.
Why Massage?
We appreciate that purchasing a massage pad or mitt for your horse is an investment.
Equilibrium are dedicated to creating carefully designed products that improve the well-being of the horse. All of their products are thoroughly researched, tested and quality checked.
The Equilibrium Massage Pad has been independently tested by Myerscough College in Lancashire, the findings showed:
Increased Flexibility
Massage helps to promote flexibility in healthy muscle tissue, fascia and other soft tissue fibres. The effects of massage on flexibility can be measured using the ‘Arch Dip’ test to determine the amount of upwards or downwards bend of the horses’ back. Test results from our trials demonstrated an overall improvement in back flexibility of approximately 46%.
Stride Length
The trial showed that the stride length of the treated horses increased over the period of the test by 12cms, whereas the control group showed little improvement. Horse owners know that a small change in stride length can make a major difference to the way of going in a horse!
Promoting Relaxation
Using a heart rate monitor, horses wearing the Equilibrium Massage Pad showed an increase in relaxation compared to the horses in the control group.
