At-Home Therapy Options for Performance Horses

Owning a performance horse comes with the responsibility of ensuring their peak physical condition to achieve their best performance, minimize injury risks, and aid in their recovery. At High Caliber Performance, we understand the significance of staying ahead of the latest technological advancements to guarantee that your horse not only performs at their best but also feels their best.

With the advent of advanced therapeutic options, there is a wide array of at-home therapies that can be seamlessly integrated into your horse’s care routine to promote muscle recovery, manage injuries, and maintain your horse’s overall well-being. In this blog, we will thoroughly explore some of the most popular and effective therapies available today, including BEMER and MagnaWave therapy, cold therapy, and laser therapy. We aim to provide comprehensive insights into the benefits of each therapy, assisting you in determining the most suitable option for your performance horse.

BEMER vs. MagnaWave Therapy: Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF)

Both BEMER and MagnaWave therapy are popular forms of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy. This type of therapy was specifically designed to enhance circulation, alleviate muscle tension, and stimulate healing in performance horses. However, there are notable distinctions between the two approaches.

BEMER Therapy

BEMER therapy involves specialized equipment, including an ergonomically designed horse blanket, neck applicators, and two cuffs, all equipped with coils precisely positioned to transmit low-frequency PEMF signals. These signals enhance microcirculation and increase oxygen delivery to tissues, resulting in improved recovery after intense training or performance, reduced inflammation, and support for tendon and joint health. One of the key benefits of BEMER therapy is its gentle stimulation of cellular activity without causing overstimulation, making it an ideal choice for post-performance recovery and daily maintenance.

MagnaWave Therapy

MagnaWave therapy harnesses the power of a specialized machine to administer a high-intensity PEMF signal precisely tailored to achieve deeper tissue penetration and provoke a robust healing response. This form of therapy is particularly advantageous for horses grappling with persistent pain, profound muscle soreness, or lingering injuries in need of intensive recovery assistance. MagnaWave therapy is esteemed for targeting hard-to-reach areas and expediting the body’s innate healing mechanisms. Notably, according to MagnaWave’s website, several victors of the prestigious Kentucky Derby have entrusted MagnaWave with the well-being of their horses, attesting to its remarkable therapeutic prowess.

Which PEMF Treatment is Best for Your Horse?

When it comes to choosing between BEMER and MagnaWave therapies for your horse, it all depends on your horse’s specific needs. If you’re aiming for a low-impact, gentle, daily treatment that helps maintain overall health and enhance performance, then Beemer might be the best choice for your horse. On the other hand, if you are looking for a more intense, targeted therapy that reaches deeper tissues and provides faster and more aggressive results for soreness or injuries, then MagnaWave could be the preferred option.

Cold Therapy: Ice Boots vs. Hosing and Fanning

Cold therapy is crucial for post-exercise recovery for performance horses, as it helps reduce inflammation and swelling. There are two main methods of applying cold therapy: using ice boots or the traditional method of hosing and fans.

Ice Boots

Ice boots are a practical and efficient solution for providing targeted cold therapy to your horse’s legs. These specialized boots can be easily filled with cold gel packs or ice and then secured around the horse’s lower limbs, delivering precise and controlled cooling. They are especially valuable for reducing heat and inflammation in the horse’s ligaments and tendons following intense exercise or competition. Ice boots’ ability to consistently apply cold therapy for a specific duration makes them particularly advantageous, offering a practical and time-saving option for horse owners with busy schedules.

Hosing and Fans

The traditional method of cold therapy for horses involves hosing down the horse’s legs with cold water and then standing them in front of a fan. While this approach is effective, it takes more time and is less targeted than using ice boots. However, the cooling effect from hosing and fans can be applied to larger areas of the body, making it useful for managing heat and inflammation in more than just the legs. 

Which is Better for Cold Therapy?

Due to their practicality and time efficiency, ice boots are typically the preferred choice for targeted leg therapy. However, when broader cooling is necessary, or immediate access to cold water is available, hosing and fans can also yield excellent results. Both methods are effective in reducing swelling and inflammation. Therefore, the decision between the two depends on convenience and the specific areas being treated.

Laser Therapy

Laser therapy has gained significant popularity as a noninvasive treatment method known to accelerate healing and relieve pain in performance horses. This therapy involves using a specialized device that emits specific wavelengths of light to stimulate cellular activity, improve blood circulation, and promote tissue repair. It is a gentle and effective approach widely embraced in the equine community for its ability to support overall wellness and performance in horses.

How Laser Therapy Works

Laser therapy uses a device to direct light energy into tissues. This process stimulates cell metabolism and increases the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). The boost in cellular energy helps to accelerate the body’s natural healing processes and can be particularly useful for treating soft tissue injuries, wound healing, and tendon strains. 

Benefits of Laser Therapy

Laser therapy offers the significant advantage of penetrating deep tissues without causing discomfort to the horse. This non-invasive treatment is fast, typically taking only a few minutes per targeted area, and can be applied to a wide range of issues, from relieving joint pain to treating surface wounds. What’s more, laser therapy can be combined with PEMF or cold therapy to achieve even more effective results.

Which Therapy is Right for Your Horse?

Each therapy option offers unique benefits, and the best choice depends on your horse’s particular needs, whether it’s maintaining peak performance, recovering from an injury, or simply providing additional support for post-performance recovery. Here’s a quick summary of each option:

• BEMER Therapy: Ideal for daily maintenance and circulation improvement overall.
• MagnaWave Therapy: Best for deeper, more targeted treatment of sore muscles and injury.
• Ice Boots: Convenient for targeted cooling of ligaments and tendons.
• Hosing and Fans: Useful for larger cooling areas, especially in hot climates or after particularly intense workouts.
• Laser Therapy: Exceptionally effective for accelerating healing, alleviating pain, and reducing inflammation. It can also be combined with PEMF or cold therapy for more effective results.

Incorporating these effective at-home therapies into your performance horse’s care routine can make a significant difference in maintaining their peak condition. Consistent treatment not only helps prevent injuries but also ensures that your horse is performing at their best, both efficiently and comfortably.

Let High Caliber Performance Help You Determine the Best At-Home Care for Your Horse

At High Caliber Performance, we specialize in providing top-level care for performance horses. Our goal is to support and guide you in choosing the best therapy options for your equine athlete. Contact us today to learn more about our therapies and specialized treatments. With our help, we will ensure that your horse is happy and healthy.