Back on Track Products. Yay or Nay?

[Heinz_57]

[QUOTE=Sloeryder;8969479]
Cross Posted from Horse Care:

Interesting in seeing people’s thought on the back on track products, such as the sheet and the open fronts. Thinking about picking one up for my sassy little pony. I’ve heard all the love people have for them and I just want to see if they truly are worth the cash, I guess. Girl in my barn just bought some of the open fronts and I have to admit they look nice and her horse isn’t getting the sweaty boot leg. So Im curious.[/QUOTE]

I think it kind of depends on what you’re trying to do. If your horse doesn’t have any “issues” that the product will help, you may not see a difference, which would make them not really worth the extra $$ compared to a set of normal open fronts and sheet.

Full disclosure, I have not tried anything besides the saddle pads, and I did not find any noticeable difference in my horse, there was no magic. I am curious about the hock wraps, quick wraps, etc. but my #1 priority is that my horse be turned out 24/7 and I could not put those items on him in that case, except for the relatively short amount of time just prior to riding. I am curious about the sheets, but I have not been able to justify the insane cost - I can get both hocks injected for that price.

[Jealoushe]

[QUOTE=Sticky Situation;8975102]
I haven’t used them but have to admit that I’m skeptical. For example … we are always concerned about pulling boots right after XC to allow heat to dissipate, and IIRC there was some actual evidence that overheated legs are more prone to soft tissue injuries … so are wraps that promote leg “warmth” really going to be beneficial in any significant way? I realize that the BOT wraps wouldn’t cause the legs to be nearly as warm as boots after XC, but is there evidence that warmer legs are somehow sounder?

I can see the potential benefit to say, keeping topline muscles warm before a ride, but is the BOT really any better than, say, a heavy fleece cooler?

I would gladly try it out, but not for the price.[/QUOTE]

For the legs - they are meant to increase circulation before and after exercise. The wraps are meant for rest and not riding. Having rehabbed many horses…there is a HUGE difference in using BOT for a week compared to wrapping and cold hosing.

In regards to the blanket - yes there is a huge difference. Last fall my horse ran into the side of his shelter and hit the wall so hard he broke the 6x6. He was swollen in his abdomen, had a huge gash and his hip was swollen and very tender. He could hardly walk. I BOT sheeted him for 2 days and all the swelling was gone. Left him without on day 3 swelling is back. Day 4 etc back on - no swelling. Healed amazing.

I know it works from my personal use. I had carpal tunnel bad and needed surgery. I got the BOT wrist bands in the mean time and it healed my CT entirely and I have 0 issues now. Same with my leg, after breaking it in May and having surgery, used the ankle brace as soon as my cast was off. Full range of motion and no swelling 6 months later. Dr couldn’t believe it.

[caryledee]

Am I the only one who has not seen results from BOT? My gelding has residual swelling from cellulitis several years ago. I tried the polo wraps with no change so I bought the quick wraps. After introducing them gradually, I left them on overnight. There was no reduction in how much his leg stocked up.

The good news is they retain their value very well and can easily be sold. I would love to try the mesh sheet as my horse also has kissing spines but I am just not a believer at this point.

[Jealoushe]

[QUOTE=caryledee;8980249]
Am I the only one who has not seen results from BOT? My gelding has residual swelling from cellulitis several years ago. I tried the polo wraps with no change so I bought the quick wraps. After introducing them gradually, I left them on overnight. There was no reduction in how much his leg stocked up.

The good news is they retain their value very well and can easily be sold. I would love to try the mesh sheet as my horse also has kissing spines but I am just not a believer at this point.[/QUOTE]

How long did you use them? You are supposed to do 2 weeks before you notice any progress.

[beowulf]

I don’t know. I’m a pretty big believer. I don’t know how that magic works, but I know it works.

As some of you know, my guy nearly killed himself in October. No exaggeration, he really did. 2mm to the right and he would have had a punctured/perforated cecum on top of the other battery of injuries. For those who don’t know, my horse wiped out somehow, punctured both his shoulder (3inch gash) and his hip (big hole) in the fall - we extracted a rock from his hip and he had a broken rib, fractured acetabulum, and pelvic wing fracture. He’s a pretty stoic guy but the resulting fever and malaise was almost out of control: it was very, very touch and go the first few weeks and I was honestly wondering if I needed to figure out where on the property to bury him, god forbid.

I didn’t want to add to the bludgeoning onset of already crazy expenses, but I picked up the BOT mesh sheet - as an early birthday present my mother went half with me because she knew I wasn’t going to buy it otherwise. I cheated and I honestly just put it on almost cold turkey - he’s used to other BOT products (half pad, saddle pad, and boots). I didn’t notice a difference overnight, but did notice a huge difference over the course of that week. He had been so groggy and painful prior, didn’t want to walk or move at all, was so STIFF and had such a hard time moving around in the stall. Once he had it on about a week it was completely different: the swelling in the area was much more manageable, he was able to move around better, he did not look so sore and dull especially when handling that area. I do think it made a huge difference for him; I think it helped with his body soreness that was an unwanted consequence of him standing so tight/protecting himself as he seemed much, much looser. I do not genuinely think it was a result of “tincture of time” - I know this horse pretty well and know what a normal recovery time is for him and I do think the blanket helped keep the rest of his muscles comfortable while he healed.

I left it on for almost 4 weeks without taking it off. I just now started taking it off since the weather has been wildly variable. I do see a difference in how he walks when he wears it vs not having it on for a few days.

[Sticky_Situation]

Meh … still not convinced. Testimonials and anecdotes aren’t a substitute for evidence.

I’m always particularly skeptical when a product/therapy claims to be beneficial for just about any condition regardless of the underlying pathophysiology.

That said, it’s extremely unlikely that there is any harm caused by using them, so if you feel the products are helpful and worth the money, go for it.

[Jealoushe]

http://www.backontrackproducts.com/Clinical-Studies-14.html

[caryledee]

I did not use them for 2 weeks. I followed the instructions with the package which said to increase use over several days. When they did not work after a week or so, I went back to a sweat wrap.

[Covergirl15]

So question–I have a coming 4 year old that has no “issues” per say, but can get a bit tight backed–would trying the saddle pad possibly help this? or would the sheet be better?

[wronglead]

I used the sheet for my tight/cold backed mare and it worked wonders. Also just testing out hock wraps on the gelding.

I have not had enough time to notice a difference with the gelding, but the sheet definitely helped my mare. She was not nearly as pissed or cranky coming out to ride, and was not sore at all when pulled out for a second or third day of riding in a row (she was impossible to ride three days in a row without the sheet).

BUT with that being said, the horses seem to HATE them. Mare runs to corner of the stall when she sees the sheet (LOVES getting her other blankies on) and gelding gets very irritated- kicks and fidgets with the wraps. Not sure what the deal is, but they do not seem to enjoy them as much as I do!

[Divine_Comedy]

Has anyone tried the Schneider’s Saddlery knock-off Lux line? The look identical online except blue instead of black, and have a decent cost reduction but it’s not worth it if they aren’t effective.

Also, do they seem effective for arthritic joint issues? I’ve got a horse with some arthritis in his hock who also stocks up regularly when stalled in his hinds and I was thinking of using some of the quick wraps with the hock boots stacked on top. Injections get these joints 80-90% improved but I’d like to do whatever I can to help them get closer to 100%.

[Libby2563]

I’m generally a skeptic but I bought the hock wraps on TOTD last winter. The price was reasonable and I thought they might be worth a try for my semi-retired GP dressage horse, who is 20 and in rather good shape but does most likely have some hock arthritis. I followed instructions as far as increasing the time they were on, trying for several weeks, etc. I’ve had him 16 years so I know him quite well, and I did not notice a difference in his ability/willingness to engage (we have stepped down to about 3rd level work now) or to walk down steep hills comfortably. They are back in the packaging and I should probably resell them. Glad to hear they work for others, but I had no luck.

[Jealoushe]

[QUOTE=Divine Comedy;8982471]
Has anyone tried the Schneider’s Saddlery knock-off Lux line? The look identical online except blue instead of black, and have a decent cost reduction but it’s not worth it if they aren’t effective.

Also, do they seem effective for arthritic joint issues? I’ve got a horse with some arthritis in his hock who also stocks up regularly when stalled in his hinds and I was thinking of using some of the quick wraps with the hock boots stacked on top. Injections get these joints 80-90% improved but I’d like to do whatever I can to help them get closer to 100%.[/QUOTE]

Yes they do help with arthritis and stiff joints! I use the hocks and quick qraps often together too

[gardenie]

Wronglead! Me too, my gelding hates the wraps but legs look good after wearing them. He’s not quite as bad about the sheet as he hates all sheets and blankets equally.

[Forte]

Put me in the “nay” camp. I’ve had the horse back warmer, the mesh sheet, as well as the back warmer for myself and didn’t really notice much of a difference. When I wore the human back warmer, I didn’t really notice any “warming” underneath the fabric. The mesh sheet also rubbed my horse’s shoulders raw. I ended up selling all of my BOT products.

[beau159]

Also, do they seem effective for arthritic joint issues? I’ve got a horse with some arthritis in his hock who also stocks up regularly when stalled in his hinds

I can’t say I’ve noticed any difference with arthritis itself; I’ve tried the hock boots on my gelding and can’t say I noticed anything. (he has a fusing right hock that gets injected)

However, the quick wraps work amazing for stocking up.

[Big_Tag]

I think they help, but I do not care for the design of the mesh sheet. The shoulder is hemmed in by virtue of the design and gives my guy the WORST rubs. I much prefer the fleece one for that reason. I also have a BOT quarter sheet, and the no-bows for the horse, and the ankle brace for me, which I think does help as well.

[Divine_Comedy]

[QUOTE=beau159;8982756]
I can’t say I’ve noticed any difference with arthritis itself; I’ve tried the hock boots on my gelding and can’t say I noticed anything. (he has a fusing right hock that gets injected)

However, the quick wraps work amazing for stocking up.[/QUOTE]

Good to know! I’m not optimistic enough to think BoT would improve the arthritis in the joint enough but was more wondering if keeping the muscles and tendons connected to the joint warmer would help the flexibility of the joint in the earlier parts of the ride.

Thinking the quick wraps need to go on my ‘must have’ list sooner rather than later though, as he stocks up so much that sometimes it freaks out the BO! Especially in changing seasons.

[burnedout]

I’ve been a skeptic for years, despite several friends swearing by BOT products. After a couple of days of frigid weather where my fingers turned white and painful (Raynaud’s), I decided to order the gloves. I’ve tried so many different types/brands so why not try BOT? We had a couple of days where the high temps were in the single digits and my fingers stayed warm and comfortable! I truly couldn’t believe it!

I also bought the hock boots, but haven’t used them much yet. One of my boys is normally super creaky in his hocks and after the first day of wearing the boots for a couple of hours, he walked out of his stall like a well oiled machine. I no longer ride him, so I can’t say if he felt different, but he sounds better.

[SendenHorse]

The BOT saddle pads have been great- I use them all winter.