FAQ about therapy rugs for horses

Back on Track Fleece Wicking Rug Supreme

1. How do I know what is the right therapy rug for my horse?

All therapy rugs have a similar mode of action in a larger or smaller sense. They promote blood circulation and thus the removal of harmful substances, which prevents injuries, supports regeneration, relieves pain and increases well-being. Depending on the state of illness, age and need for recovery, different rugs are suitable.

If you have an old horse or a horse suffering from arthrosis, heat or magnetic rugs are suitable.

A horse in training or a competition horse work will benefit from heat rugs as well as magnetic and massage rugs.

Massage rugs are recommended for nervous and chronically stressed horses. Their effect can reach the parasympathetic nervous system, the resting nerve, and relax the horse psychologically.

If your horse suffers from muscular tension, massage rugs with vibration elements or sewn-in acupressure mats can provide relief. Of course, you can also purchase rugs that combine heat and massage to achieve an even greater therapeutic effect.

Note:

A therapy rug is not a cure-all and should therefore always be considered as a supplement to veterinary treatment. Therapy rugs are a part of holistic therapy and support the horse’s health.

2. Do warming therapy rugs replace warming up before riding?

No, therapy rugs do not replace warming up before riding. Massage and heat rugs can loosen the muscles and make them supple. Nevertheless, the tendons, ligaments and especially the joints must be warmed up through steady, quiet movement. This is because it is only during movement that the synovia, the synovial fluid, is formed, which absorbs the shocks in the horse’s joints and protects them from injuries and signs of wear. A therapy rug cannot take over this task.

3. Can I use therapy rugs myself safely or do I need a professional?

Basically, therapy rugs of any kind should not be left on the horse without supervision. Especially rugs with wiring, batteries and control devices must not be left unattended on the horse’s body.

If you have agreed on a therapy with your veterinarian and he or she considers a therapeutic rug to be useful, you can hardly go wrong with its use. Fasten the rug according to the manufacturer’s instructions and set the appropriate programme (for massage rugs). Many control devices turn themselves off after the programme has been run through, so that there is no overstressing of the body regions being treated.

Pay attention to the reactions of your horse during every application. Especially with animals that are sensitive to touch or noise, a therapy rug can cause discomfort. In addition, the horse experiences a new body sensation. Introduce the horse to the treatment and the unfamiliar feeling step by step. You can read more about how to proceed in point 5.

4. My horse finds the rug uncomfortable. What can I do?

If your horse pins his ears, shakes his head or even nips at you when you put on and start the therapy rug, something is making it uncomfortable. Investigate the cause and rule out various possibilities.

If your horse is generally sensitive when rugs are put on, you should desensitise him with a light wicking rug.

However, if the horse only shows defensive reactions during the treatment, it may be because tense muscles that are being worked on hurt at first. Anyone who has been massaged knows this: it usually hurts before it feels good. The muscle is already inflamed by the tension and therefore hurts when touched. After a while, relaxation should set in and thus the defensive reactions stop. If this is not the case, the treatment must be stopped and advice sought from the vet.

5. What should be considered when getting the horse used to / using therapy rugs?

Do not start immediately with the full programme, but get your horse used to the unfamiliar feeling on its back step by step. Especially vibration or acupressure elements can lead to overreactions in sensitive horses. But also the deep warmth of therapy rugs with ceramic fibres can feel strange to the horse.

Start by putting on the (massage) rug without starting the programme. Once the horse is used to the new feeling, start with a light programme or increase the duration. Observe the horse’s every movement so that you can switch off the rug as quickly as possible if the horse panics. Now increase the duration and intensity of the treatment, adapted to the horse’s sensations.

All cables and electrical control devices should be placed in the pockets provided to prevent them from falling out.

With ceramic fibre rugs we also recommend gradual acclimatisation. Let the horse wear the rug for a maximum of 4 hours in the first 2-3 days and increase the duration carefully to at least 8 hours. Once the horse has become accustomed to the rug, it can even be worn permanently.

6. How long may I leave a therapy rug on the horse? How long may the application last?

The duration depends on the type of therapy rug used. Magnetic rugs can be left on the horse for up to eight hours or longer after an acclimatisation period of two hours. If it is necessary for the horse’s regeneration, the horse can also wear the rug around the clock.

The programmes of massage rugs are usually pre-programmed and last up to a maximum of 20 minutes. This time frame should be adhered to so that the muscles can recover afterwards.

Acupressure rugs can be left on the horse for up to 30 or 45 minutes. Here, the duration depends on the horse’s reaction, as the pricking elements are unpleasant at first. After the horse has become accustomed to the rug, the duration can be increased continuously.

7. Aren’t rugs with alternating current dangerous?

Some massage or warming rugs work with alternating current. Horse rugs are powered by a control unit with a rechargeable battery, so the rug is not directly connected to the electricity during the treatment. Also, cables are hidden in pockets attached to the rug so that any risk of injury from cables or electricity is avoided.

However, you should never let the horse out of your sight during the treatment and check the rug regularly to make sure it is working properly and is not damaged.

8. What is the difference between a back warmer and a heat rug?

Both versions work with heat and can be used in thermotherapy. The back warmer is a smaller version of the heat rug. While a heat rug covers the entire horse like a coat and is closed at the chest, a back warmer only extends from the withers to the tailhead.

9. Are there alternatives to expensive therapy/massage rugs?

Those who find the purchase of a therapy rug too expensive can resort to cheaper alternatives and, for example, do it themselves. Some basic knowledge of massage techniques, such as rubbing, pressing and patting, is indispensable. A warm-up massage of about 20 minutes before and 10 minutes of light massage after training should be aimed for.

In addition, you can use

Massage gloves and brushes
Massage mats or massage strips to hang on the wall
Massage balls
Massage rollers
Massage devices

can be used.

Alternatively, a hot water bottle can be placed on the horse’s back to provide selective warmth. Caution: A towel should be placed between the horse and the hot water bottle.

10. How quickly can I see an improvement if I use a therapy rug?

It depends on the intensity of the problems the horse has. Manufacturers such as Back on Track® guarantee relief of stiffened muscles after only ten days. Other therapy rug manufacturers and their users testify to being able to observe improvements in the horse within 14 days.

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