It is my opinion that there are many people out there, that do not believe works at all, that it is "Snake Oil Medicine" (this comment from a professor at a prestegous College). I for one, know it does work, and very well at that, with no side effects, from my own personal experience. I am a Champion equestrian, from New England, I have shown Pony Hunters, Junior Hunters, Green Hunters and shown in Hunter Seat Equitation, and winning many Championships in all these divisions. I have also worked as a "working student" at a couple of New England stables; which afforded me the opportunity to experience how the Farriers are often treated, and many ways of dealing with many different equine training problems.
I hate to admit it, but it was not until I had two serious disabling injuries, that I looked at the treatments for pain, that humans and animals get. As a matter of fact, some of the drugs given to horses for pain, used to be given to humans (Bute for instance) until the medical community started seeing a lot of birth defects; then they started to give it to horses for pain, instead.
I have found through my own discussions with hundreds of Farriers, Vets, Trainers, Medical Doctors and PhD'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 the many 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 on horses, compared to humans?
To begin with, as I mentioned above, I have been a Champion equestrian, from New England, that has become partially disabled (not from horses). I went through a "song and dance" with my arrogant doctor (Thank God they are not all that way!) and her long list of anti-inflammatories (or NSAID's). I just happened 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 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 stopped taking NSAID's in 1993. They made me get very "heat sick" (extreme nausea and headaches that felt like broken glass, which lasted for almost two days). Instead, I get accupuncture from an RN (still don't trust doctors with a needle) and chiropractic care utilizing reflexology, and most importantly, I use magnetic therapy 24/7. I will say that magnetics may not "cure" a condition in itself, but with a new injury, will speed healing. With an old injury, magnetics will assist in pain relief; however, if removed from the pain area, the pain usually returns. The difference in the quality of my life using these modalities, has been like night to day!
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, that they made my back pain worse! Imagine how this must affect horses, that are sensitive to Colic! Colic 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 found that in both horses and people, most have found faster healing and pain relief with magnetics, rather than with the usual NSAID drug treatments and without their tortuous side effects. Side effects that doctors and vets often consider "negligible". I'll tell you, the side effects were hardly negligible to me!
For the stronger, healthier, uninjured individuals, with no pain, they may not notice or feel anything from magnetics! They don't feel anything, because magnetics only do what is needed, to properly align, mis-aligned cells; bringing them back into a healthful balance. With a healthy individual, the magnetic will only serve to pull proper nutrients to the area, as well as to keep the muscles and soft tissues loose. If there is nothing wrong, the magnetics are neutral (in a non-toxic dose).
Horses, of course (pun intended) are different from people, we humans can "dissipate" heat much better than horses can (dissipate heat, means we sweat more efficiently). What is similar, is that both horses and people have red blood cells, with iron in the blood that are pulled by magnets. Thus, a faster blood flow. Which means the blood vessels open more, removing toxins from the affected area; while rushing oxygen and nutrients to this area, as well as more blood flow. Therefore, with horses not able to "dissipate" heat, as well as people, horses need extra care in the timing, placement and gauss strength of the magnetics used.
The hoof in particular, needs extra caution, as it is well known, that horses cannot tolerate heat or excessive moisture in their hoof, as conditions such as founder, laminitis and thrush can develop among other conditions can develop. This simply means you need to watch the horse's development carefully, working with an equine professional is best. You also, don't want to work a horse to a high body heat, in hot weather, with a strong magnet on, especially on the hoof.
From my "one to one" research discussions, I have found many Master Farriers, telling me about their experiences with magnetics and with 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 (too hot) for the hoof. There is a common sense solution to putting magnetic therapy to beneficial use on a horse, especially around the hoof area
I worked with Master Farriers, from the very beginning on my magnetic hoof pad idea, to make the best product possible. The New England Farriers, that tried my pads on their own horses, told me, "it causes the hoof to grow more Resinous!?!" At first, I did not understand why these Farriers were excited about this fact. 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 support, shock absorption and low strength magnetics. Thanks to Master Farrier John Blombach's advice (that I followed to the letter) my invention's design makes "horse sense". I also went to NASA to test and make the product more durable, so it would be "cost effective" for the owners.
A low strength magnetic can be used constantly; and you can add a stronger one to use with it. One of the best times to use strong magnetic therapy on horses, is before or after riding, or during handling or trucking. On the way to a show, I'm sure your horse would perform calmer (and more relaxed) and thus, give you a better performane. Only with "uni-polar" magnetics, you must be sure NOT to put the positive, or south side to the pain point. From my own research, on my own body, any non-toxic dose of magnetics will help in varying degrees.
DON'T use Magnetics on an open wound, it may "weep" more.
DO use Magnetics daily when possible, on a horse in pain or stiffness, before and after work
LOW STRENGTH: Under 100 Gauss Strength
MEDIUM STRENGTH: From 100 to 500 Gauss Strength
HIGH STRENGTH: From 500 to 800 Gauss Strength
VERY HIGH STRENGTH: From 800 to 2000 Gauss Strength
