Back On Track products.. Worth it?

[abbylee]

I was wondering what everyone’s experience is with Back on Track products? I have a thoroughbred who tends to start out a cold-backed and tense, especially in the winter, and I was wondering what might help. So far I’ve just been hand walking or lunging before hopping on and doing long warm up walks, which is helping, but lately he seems to take almost ten minutes of hand walking before he really starts to relax over his back. I don’t mind doing my 20 minutes of walking before I ride, but as the weather has gotten colder, he looks genuinely uncomfortable beyond just tightness/stiffness. I have heard some good things about the BOT sheet in particular, but I was also wondering about the saddle pads since they’re. For the price, I would definitely have to be convinced it would make a difference to invest in it (for either product), but if it’s worth it, it’s worth it… What are everyone’s experiences with them?

Description of the technology from the sheet product page on SmartPak:
“This sheet is made from a breathable mesh material with state-of-the-art fabric containing polyester thread embedded with a fine ceramic powder. Designed to reflect the horse’s own body-warmth, it creates a soothing far infrared thermal heat, which can help alleviate pain associated with inflamed muscles and joints. For best results, leave on overnight; but may also be used to help warm up muscles prior to exercise. In a short time you will see and feel the results in the way your horse moves and acts!”

Sheet:
https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/ba…sh-sheet–7060

Saddle pads:
https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/ba…ack+saddle+pad

[Mouse_amp_Bay]

Yes.

For both horses and humans.

I only have anecdotal evidence (myself and friends) but we all appear to be a lot less gimpy than those who didn’t use BOT and sustained injuries (fractures and sprains).

I ‘cook’ my beasts before riding when I have time. Mesh sheet + quarter sheet + regular blanket if cold enough. Even 20 or 30 min makes a big difference in increasing fluidity and reducing stiffness. YMMV.

[vineyridge]

I have a BOT question. They make gloves, and I have Reynaud’s and am always looking for something to help. Has any one here used the BOT gloves for Reynaud’s as liners? Tonight with a north wind and temperature around 35, I was in agony with leather Thinsulated gloves. I haven’t found any gloves yet that work for me, and I can’t afford to pay over a hundred bucks for gloves when I lose the left hand so frequently.

[endlessclimb]

I can attest to the quick wraps - those suckers work great. Love how easy they are, how many sizes they come in, and that you can throw them in the wash.

[Xctrygirl]

MOVE QUICKLY> Dover still has a deal on today where if you spend over $200 you get a $100 Gift certificate. I used this as my moment to buy a BOT mesh sheet. And yes they work.

Em

[PrincessPonies]

I love my BoT stuff. And my horse does so much better with it. I got my sheet right before Christmas a couple years ago and I came with a free saddle pad. Normally around Christmas they have a buy this get this free and Smartpak will have the sale as well, though You can also order straight from the company. My horse loves it so much that we have gotten more over the years, almost always around December when I can get more with it.

[Scribbler]

Following because I’m curious about the human gloves or really glove liners I think they are.

[GutsNGlory]

@vineyridge

I have a BOT question. They make gloves, and I have Reynaud’s and am always looking for something to help. Has any one here used the BOT gloves for Reynaud’s as liners? Tonight with a north wind and temperature around 35, I was in agony with leather Thinsulated gloves. I haven’t found any gloves yet that work for me, and I can’t afford to pay over a hundred bucks for gloves when I lose the left hand so frequently.

Vineyridge, I have both the gloves and the liners to help with my Raynauds. My case is secondary to multiple autoimmune conditions and pretty severe, so I use the liners more for indoor wear when grocery shopping, etc. and the gloves are great for 50/60s for me, which would normally start being an issue especially if windy. I did have to size up a bit on the regular gloves. I’m not sure if they’d be too bulky used as a liner themselves, but I don’t think the actual liners are enough for true winter weather and riding at least in my case. Best I’ve found so far for winter barn work and riding is the expensive rechargeable battery heated glove liners under a pair of gortex ski gloves.

To the OP, yes absolutely worth it! I use BOT products on both my horses and myself (and have bought several items for family and friends). The sheet and saddle pads I have are my most used items.

[WNT]

Worth it. Horse and human, in my experience.

My old barn used the mesh sheets as blanket liners once the horses were adapted to them. I felt we had to blanket lighter overall with them, they stayed so toasty.

It’s not going to “cure” any underlying issues, but BoT sure seems to make them feel better! One of the anecdotes that always amused me was on days I pulled everyone’s blankets. Before I hung them up, they’d be heaped around the courtyard. Invariably, the barn cat and my dog would pick out an exposed piece of BoT material to lay on before I could hang everything up. The cat would pick BoT saddle pads over regular quilted pads to nap on as well. She is quite discerning.

[Lusoluv]

I had a very nervous and cold-backed horse several years ago. A friend had a BoT sheet that she had lost interest in and lent it to me. I was willing to try anything in addition to in-hand work, chiro, massage, etc. I used the sheet for a couple weeks and unfortunately never saw a difference from it. Was really glad I hadn’t invested $200. However I did use an electric blanket on that horse while I slowly groomed and tacked up. I did see results with that!

[Groom_amp_Taxi]

I have a saddle pad and can’t honestly say I felt like it made any difference in the cold backed horse I bought it for. It is however, one of the highest quality saddle pads in my pile - has held up well to wear, has a nice wither contour, girth straps in the right spot.

[Jealoushe]

@Scribbler

Following because I’m curious about the human gloves or really glove liners I think they are.

I had the gloves (lost them sadly) and they were great. They were by far my favorite gloves to ever wear, especially in the winter.

I have lost count of how many times Back on Track has helped my horses and myself, and not just little changes. I am a believer for sure.

[phoenixrises]

Human - absolutely love them. I have RA and they are a lifesaver for my hands. And the back brace has helped my husband be able to run again. Just amazing

Horse - I have a mesh sheet with neck cover. One horse loves it, you put it on and 5 minutes later her head is low, lip droopy and practically drooling. It’s like her favorite part of the day. Horse 2 - wouldn’t know you put anything on her. Doesn’t hate it but certainly doesn’t get reaction of horse 1.

Saddle Pads - mine are holding up ok, used regularly, but honestly don’t notice difference in horse between with it and another nice pad. Maybe if I had a horse with a back issue?

[Romily_Bernard]

Wonder Pony loves her fleece sheet and saddle pads. I love their fingerless gloves. Starting to have real issues with my hands and I sleep in them. Can see a difference in swelling the next morning.

[notlost]

I’m a believer. I tried the back brace on a whim (I was hauling a lot–nearest event was 5.5 hours away), and when I wore it, I didn’t get out of the truck unable to straighten up for a couple minutes; I got out flexible and able to stand straight. Based on that experience, I bought a shirt (I’m wearing it now!), gloves, and scarf for me, and quick wraps, saddle pad, and sheet for my horse. I LOVE the quick wraps; I use them to haul and in lieu of standing wraps. My older horse loved his sheet. Not sure if I’ve noticed a difference with the saddle pad. Still, based on how they helped me, I imagine they help the horses, too.

[abbylee]

Thanks everyone for the feedback!! Sounds like it might be added to the Xmas list… Just saw that SmartPak is offering it with free polo wraps right now too!

[Pocketpony]

Not to derail your post, but does anyone use the hock wraps prior to riding? I’m wondering if it will help my guy warm up his old joints a little quicker.

[abbylee]

@Pocketpony

Not to derail your post, but does anyone use the hock wraps prior to riding? I’m wondering if it will help my guy warm up his old joints a little quicker.

My guys actually has a hock that he has an old injury on as well, so I would be interested to hear responses to this!

[Xctrygirl]

@abbylee

My guys actually has a hock that he has an old injury on as well, so I would be interested to hear responses to this!

Not quite what you both asked but I put them on when I am shipping long distances. And have (accidentally) ridden with them on in a jumper class. They were very helpful in all cases.

Em

[LadyB]

@Lusoluv

I had a very nervous and cold-backed horse several years ago. A friend had a BoT sheet that she had lost interest in and lent it to me. I was willing to try anything in addition to in-hand work, chiro, massage, etc. I used the sheet for a couple weeks and unfortunately never saw a difference from it. Was really glad I hadn’t invested $200. However I did use an electric blanket on that horse while I slowly groomed and tacked up. I did see results with that!

I have tried everything under the sun I feel like. I absolutely LOVE having the heated blanket for tacking up. So does my horse.

I have the back on track back warmer, it doesn’t go as far back as I need it.
I have the hock wraps and quick wraps, I use them when I’m in a pinch to wrap my horses legs only. Didn’t notice a huge difference with ever using them.

The BOT summer sheet though, my horse overall moved better on days he wore that. In my head, maybe? The only thing I like him to truly wear, but I hate the fit of the sheet.

I have a MiroTech blanket that is AMAZING, but requires time for it to work, usually on around an hour before.

I have a sportz vibe massage blanket, he enjoys it, but it doesn’t make a difference.

I have a magnetic blanket by a canadian brand, it did work for quite some time, but I think it’s magnets are dead now and need to be recharged.

My horse is on a chiro & massage schedule. He’s just a horse with mild kissing spine that seems to bother him more in the winter then any other time of year.