 |
 |
 |
 |
| Magnetic Therapy is a healing method that has been in use for hundreds of years and presently there are more than 5,000 different magnetic field therapy devices in use worldwide. In this therapy, magnets are applied to a part of the body in order to create a magnetic field that will increase circulation, oxygen utilization, and cell function in that area. Magnetic therapy is currently being used for treatment of fractures, wounds, degenerative diseases of the legs, circulatory deficencies, strained ligaments, and treatment of joints. Some times magnetic therapy can be used for sprains or strains. It's a good holistic alternative because it is both non-invasive and effective.
The use of magnet therapy in horses had increased dramatically in the last few years. A number of magnetic devices that are easy to use and comfortable are now made especially for horses. These include blanket magnets, hock wraps, leg or shin wraps and hoof magnets. Blanket magnets come in two basic types. In one type, thin magnets are either placed inside the blanket in pockets or attached with Velcro to the underside of the blanket. The other type has magnets that work using an electrical pulse. These magnets can be inserted into the blanket in various places and generate a magnetic pulse right through the blanket. Both types are effective and can be used to treat sore backs, shoulders, and hip areas. Magnetic blankets can also be used after a hard workout to help the muscles finish cooling down. Another use is to help keep already warmed-up muscles from becoming stiff and cold when you are showing or working your horse in cool or cold weather. For instance, during a dressage competition you may finish riding one test and have only thirty minutes until the next test. Usually this time frame is awkward because it's too long to keep a horse warming up for the next test but too short to completely cool down and warm up again. If you apply a magnetic blanket after a short cool down, your horse can rest a few minutes before the next test and then warm up quickly because the circulation to his muscles is maintained and the muscles will not become cold and stiff. Hock magnet wraps are one of the most widely used therapy products. They fit around the hock and are left in place from one to eight hours. They work well in cases of sore or swollen hocks and for bone changes in hocks such as spurs, spavins, or arthritis. Caution: Do not use magnets if the hock is hot to the touch or a severe injury has just occured. Leg or shin magnetic wraps are applied over the cannon bone area. There are two basic types. The simpliest is a strip of magnet that is places on the leg and held in place with a bandage. The other type is a padded wrap that goes about three-quarters of the way around the leg and is then closed with a Velcro closure. These types of magnetic therapy products are generally used between the knee and fetlock on the front leg or on the cannon bone on the back leg. They work well when treating a sprain, strain, or tear in the tendons along the cannon bone. Another use recommended is following a hard workout such as the cross-country phase of a three-day event. Often after over-exertion, the area surrounding the tendons along the cannon bone extending down to the hoof tends to swell -- a condition called "stocking-up." The usual treatment for this condition is a poultice to help draw out fluid, but it is not always effective. Using magnets over the cannon bone area after hard exertion keeps the blood moving constantly, so all the by-products produced by the muscles and tendons during exercise are moved out of the area. Magnetic therapy has been found to be a very effective method to keep leg swelling to a minimum. There are a number of types of hoof magnets. There are tiny little round magnets that are about one centimeter in circumference -- or about the diameter of a peppercorn. They are often referred to as Cor-mags (although this is actually a brand name) and there are many companies that make this type of magnet. Different veterinarians and farriers have their own ways of using hoof magnets; there is no set method or protocol for their use. Hoof magnets are used to increase circulation in the hoof, particularly the hoof wall. A direct result is an increase in hoof growth. Cracks or injuries to the hoof, such as quarter cracks, can benefit from one or two hoof magnets places near the area. The increase in circulation promotes healing in the area. Hoof magnets can be attached with epoxy glue, or taped in place. If the horse is going to be shown, the permanently glued-on magnets can be covered with hoof-wall filler so the magnets are not noticeable. Magnetic therapy products for horses are available in tack shops and from many catalog companies. Hoof magnets are also available from veterinarians, acupuncturists, or physicians who practice Eastern medicine. |
| Disclaimer: Naturally Equine does not make any medical or veterinarian claims to any of the remedies listed on this site. The remedies are well known worldwide and are listed on this site for informational purposes only. |
|