Any one the back on track leg wraps? Likes/dislikes? Effective?

[lindat]

@Simkie;3067787

Ceramics do not purport to have a magnetic field which penetrates tissues. They only claim to reflect body heat back to the horse. What they claim to do is FAR simpler than what the magnet people claim to do.

Thanks for explaining this - it makes sense to me why you might think the “more complex” mechanism would not work. Actually the benefits from ceramic products are also complex - it isn’t just that they reflect heat. They reflect FIR wave lengths that do penetrate the body. There is a lot of great scientific information on this subject also.

Here is quote from BOT web site:
Southern Pines Equine Associates
"We have compared regular leg wraps to the “Back On Track"ceramic bandages and have documented significant increases in circulation.”

@Simkie;3067787

This abstract: http://jap.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/103/2/629 is interesting, but I do not see magnet strength reported anywhere. It also seems to claim magnets decrease venous and arterial diameter, which does not seem congruent with magnets supposedly increasing blood flow.

I tried to send you the entire study that goes into detail and would have explained the significance of that - here is an excerpt from a report on the study.

"Skalak’s lab leads the field in the area of microcirculation research—the study of blood flow through the body’s tiniest blood vessels. With a five-year, $875,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Skalak and Cassandra Morris, former Ph.D. student in biomedical engineering, set out to investigate the effect of magnetic therapy on microcirculation. Initially, they sought to examine a major claim made by companies that sell magnets: that magnets increase blood flow.

The researchers first found evidence to support this claim through research with laboratory rats. In their initial study, magnets of 70 milliTesla (mT) field strength—about 10 times the strength of the common refrigerator variety—were placed near the rat’s blood vessels. Quantitative measurements of blood vessel diameter were taken both before and after exposure to the static magnetic fields—the force created by the magnets. Morris and Skalak found that the force had a significant effect: the vessels that had been dilated constricted, and the constricted vessels dilated, implying that the magnetic field could induce vessel relaxation in tissues with constrained blood supply, ultimately increasing blood flow.

Dilation of blood vessels is often a major cause of swelling at sites of trauma to soft tissues such as muscles or ligaments. The prior results on vessel constriction led Morris and Skalak to look closer at whether magnets, by limiting blood flow in such cases, would also reduce swelling. Their most recent research, published in the November 2007 issue of the American Journal of Physiology, yielded affirmative results."

The pictures in the complete study show more blood saturation in the tissues through the smaller blood vessels when there was less inflammation in the larger ones. Hope this makes sense - I am not a scientist…so I may not be describing it clearly.

[QUOTE=Simkie;3067787]
How do you refute these studies?[/QUOTE]

I don’t…I know nothing about the magnets they used. There are LOTS of products that don’t offer any health benefits. However there are those that do - correctly designed ones do have an impact on helping the body heal and on body temperature. Thermo scans show the later. The link below might be useful…

http://www.thermoguy.com/pdfs/Diabetic_Article_From_United_Kingdom.pdf

The diabetic study that Dr. Weintraub did (mentioned in above article) was really interesting and showed some changes in nerve function that they were not expecting.

[yellowbritches]

Timely discussion for me, as we just recently splurged and bought a pair of BOT no-bows for a horse with mild, but almost chronic tendinitis. We are also considering the back pad or the mesh sheet, mainly with Paco in mind. We haven’t had them long enough to really have a big say in how they work, and the horse we bought them from is past the acute stages of his issues, HOWEVER, he is to the point he can wear them overnight, now. We have noticed that when left in over night, his tendons are a little full in the morning (not quite stocked up, but there is some fluid build up in the tendons) when left totally alone. With plain no-bows, it is better, with the BOTs, his legs are as tight and as cool as if he’d spent the entire night out (our preferred method with him). We are shipping home tomorrow from SC, and he will wear them on the trailer ride, and anytime he has to spend extended times in his stall and after every jump session or gallop (along with cold therapy…hoping a good horse sale will buy us a Game Ready!!!). I would consider the BOT polos for this horse in a heart beat.

[lindat]

[QUOTE=yellowbritches;3068168]
Timely discussion for me, as we just recently splurged and bought a pair of BOT no-bows for a horse with mild, but almost chronic tendinitis. We are also considering the back pad or the mesh sheet, mainly with Paco in mind. We haven’t had them long enough to really have a big say in how they work, and the horse we bought them from is past the acute stages of his issues, HOWEVER, he is to the point he can wear them overnight, now. We have noticed that when left in over night, his tendons are a little full in the morning (not quite stocked up, but there is some fluid build up in the tendons) when left totally alone. With plain no-bows, it is better, with the BOTs, his legs are as tight and as cool as if he’d spent the entire night out (our preferred method with him). We are shipping home tomorrow from SC, and he will wear them on the trailer ride, and anytime he has to spend extended times in his stall and after every jump session or gallop (along with cold therapy…hoping a good horse sale will buy us a Game Ready!!!). I would consider the BOT polos for this horse in a heart beat.[/QUOTE]

Thats GREAT!!!

[Cody]

I am a FIRM believer in BOT quick wrap leg wraps. My Spot pony bowed and tore a tendon in December of 2006. I did take the long recovery, but I religiously used the BOT wraps while he was in the stall and I think that definitely helped him recover quicker.

Had my work schedule at my real job been different we would probably have been ready to compete this spring. That and convincing the vet that I used that he really does need a “cocktail” for me to safely ride him.

However, since my job is fixin’ to come to an end, I’m going to have lots and lots of time to be able to put on him.

So yes BOT works in my opinion.

Nancy

[goodmorning]

I would like the exercise rug, but it’s a little pricey for experimental purposes

I would invest in the leg wraps, not terribly pricey and they may help. They resale pretty well on ebay, so if you find they don’t work you probably wont be out too much $$.

[SAS]

Glad to hear such positive reviews of the BOT products. I have always been fascinated by the idea behind them, thought about gettting a set of the no bows and now that my new boy has a slight injury, I splurged and got them. My new kid has an inflamed check ligament and I am planning to use the BOT no bows as my “heat”. As Ziggy is just four and is extremely busy with his mouth, I am not able to keep him wrapped over night. So I will use the BOT no bows for shorter peroids of time - while he hand walks, hand grazes and for short period of time in his stall as long as he is eating. I am amazed at how warm they actually get his legs in a short period of time. Hopefully they will help to bring the inflammation down better and faster so that by our next ultra sound in a few weeks we will be good as new.

When he goes back to work, I am also considering buying the polos for every day use - just to keep everything tight.

[vxf111]

I have been using the Back on Track no-bows on Stoney for about a month, off and on. I can’t say that see any different results when I compare the leg following a night with the BOT and a night with a regular Wilker’s and flannel. I wrapped one arm in each and went around the house for a while and I didn’t feel a temperature difference on my arm. I also don’t really feel a temperature difference when I remove the wraps from Stoney’s legs.

I do think the wrapping is having a positive effect, but I am not convinced that the BOT is doing anything the conventional wrap isn’t. For the money, which was reasonable, it was more than worth a try and it’s certainly not hurting.

I bought the BOT hock boots too but Stoney just about had a heart attack when he felt a boot on his hock. He’s just not used to the sensation.

[Abby_Kogler]

Back on Track

I am really impressed with these products. I bought the saddle pad only because it came with free polos. I noticed though, to my surprise, that when used on my oldest mare she was swingier and ‘happier’.

Tried it on other horses; bought another; ditto.

Hmmm.

Bought the little back pad thing and put it on them when I trimmed feet or clipped or groomed. The stiffer ones were noticably less stiff.

Hmm.

Bought the hock boots and leg wraps. Have a couple with stocking up issues that dont totally resolve with regular wraps. They looked good after the BOTs. The hock boots helped my 20 yr old WB gelding flex his hocks. It was clearly better after wearing the hock boots.

hmm!

I bought the mattress pad and put it on the bed without telling my husband (aka Dr. Humbug) His back has been bothering him for three months.

Got up, pain free. I about fell out of the bed. Yowza! He said ‘its the strangest thing! my back isnt hurting…’

I didnt say a word.

Bought the tshirt, the womens boxers, the back brace for me.

I LOVE them. First am I had worn them I didnt ache anywhere. Whee!

Its wild. You dont feel hot or warm when you wear them…they dont creat heat in that way apparantly. I slept in these the last few hot nights here in SD. I put the mesh sheets on the boys in this 95 degree weather and they did not sweat.

The products are comfortable and comforting. And they really have worked for me, the DH, and the horses.

I think they are reasonably priced esp in light of how well they work.

Abby

[RealityCheck]

I was wondering about the heat aspect-I have the wraps and love them, and I’m thinking about getting a saddle pad/polos while they have the promotional thing going on. Abby (or anybody), have you used the saddle pads in HOT weather (like 90s and humid)?

[Abby_Kogler]

BOT

It was killer hot last weekend and I used the pads, the mesh sheets, etc etc.

No extra sweating, no sweating under the sheets (and they are BLACK!). Its weird…the skin stays cool.

I can attest to it to…I wore the back support thing and it was not hot, at all.

Nice products. I am sold.

Abby

[Laurierace]

I am making an attempt at jumping on the bandwagon. I ordered the sheet with a free saddle pad, it should be here anytime now. I really want to try the no bows but can’t think of a reasonable way to try it since I do the horses up before I leave the track and my groom takes them off first thing the next morning. I know you are only supposed to leave them on for a few hours in the beginning. I can’t wait around and switch to regular bandages later on, that is just too much duplicate work. Maybe if the sheet or pad really wows me I will wait around the first few days.

[PNWjumper]

I love the BOT products! I have the sheet, the no bows and the saddle pad and I’ve noticed a difference with all three. I primarily use the no bows and the sheet on my AO Jumper mare at horseshows and I’ve noticed that it keeps her a lot “looser” throughout the week (she tends to get pretty sore by the end of a week of jumping, but was as loose and free moving on day 6 as day 1 at the last couple of shows). I also threw the sheet on my OTTB at the last show and I was really surprised to find him–1 hr later–sweating to death under the sheet, but only in the areas where his back tends to get sore. I only left him in it for a short time since he hadn’t had it on before, so I can’t say whether it did a whole lot to help him that time, but now I’m trying to figure out how to justify ordering a second sheet so that he’s got one too.

[talloaks]

With the BOT saddle pad, does it get wet each time you ride so that you have to wash it after each session??? I know you are to wash in cold water only and air dry, so was wondering how many of these BOT saddle pads you would have to own if you were using them.
I do use the BOT wraps on an old retired mare with lymphangitis problems and they bring her legs right down. Also use the hock boots, bought the large size, her hocks came down so much permanently, that I had to go and buy the med size!! Interestingly, the scarring tissue has been coming off too and her legs look great this year, KNOCK ON WOOD!!
Still want to know about the saddle pads and how often they would have to be washed.

[Abby_Kogler]

I havent washed mine yet…the horses dont sweat in them any more than a usual pad and they are staying pretty clean. I certainly dont have to wash them after every use at all…It says not to dry them but other than that washing should present no difficulty.

Abby

[spoiledsweet]

I am really liking the BOT mesh sheet that I got earlier in the year. I use it before lessons and horse shows and do feel it makes a difference. I also see a noticeable difference if I use the hock boots before riding. Can’t say I noticed any difference with the saddle pad or the polos (which are nice and long and easy to wrap). I of course love the no bows.

For what it’s worth, I didn’t bother “acclimating” my horses to the BOT products. They’re show horses, so they’re used to being wrapped with liniments, poulticed, wearing magnetic blankets, etc. Never had a problem.

[knz66]

Have the pillow wraps and the sheet and absolutely love them. Use the wraps on my daughter’s older guy that she events on and he has come out tight every time. You can use Sore No More with them.

I like the pillow wraps because they are “huge”. I have never been a No-Bow fan and have seen more bow with those than with standard pillow wraps, but thats just me.

2 weeks ago at an event, one of the fellow boarders/showing’s horse tied up. We immediately put my sheet on him and do feel like it helped. The weather was insane. One minute pouring down rain and howling winds to 65+ degrees and sun. We wanted to maintain the warmth over his haunches and much as possible and do feel the sheet really helped.

[Hannahsmom]

For my gelding with a lymphangitis leg, they are the only thing that keep the swelling down when he has to be stalled due to a show. I am sold and no longer do poultice after XC either. Instead I wrap with BOT no bow wraps. Have the hock boots…not sure if they are as helpful but love the wraps.

[talloaks]

Would you use the BOT polos when you are exercising your horse, like you use normal polos? Or is there another reason for them?? DUH I know!:lol:

[spoiledsweet]

I use the polos as I would any others. I am assuming that’s right. :lol:

Also FWIW, I’ve used the no bows over liniments besides Sore No More. I apply the liniment and let it dry, then wrap. I’ve put them over a little bit of Bigeloil and over Tendonoil. I will say that I haven’t done that to a chestnut.

[jrzeqrider]

when do you use these?

not to hijack… but how exactly do the wraps work…? someone gave them to me as a gift, but i have no idea what to do with them… the woman said she uses them after shows instead of pultice and standing wraps. is that right? she also said you start out in short incriments of time. about how long should you leave them on? ive got the quick wraps, they kind of look like shipping boots…