Equiband/Equicore System!

[Ottbaxel]

How many of you guys have used this? Have you seen results? How long did you start off using it for, and what level of work was your horse in?

I just ordered mine and it’s coming in a couple of days. My plan currently (for my gelding who is in full work, but is having some issues at the canter) is to walk my guy on the lunge with it on for 3-5 minutes the first time, and work up from there. I don’t want to overdo it, and I want to make sure that he isn’t too freaked out by the straps the first couple of times either! (He has gone in a Pessoa before-didn’t love the butt strap but generally tolerated it).

[Libby2563]

Your plan sounds good! Perhaps just the belly strap the first time, then add the bum strap. You should be able to add a few min each use.

I use mine a few times a week with both of my horses, typically for the first 20-25 min of the ride (first 10 is walking). Honestly I can’t feel a difference in how they go and I’ve never had one seem extra tired when getting used to it. But if Hilary Clayton says it’s beneficial, that’s good enough for me!

[GraceLikeRain]

My body worker strongly feels that most people way overuse them. She recommends 3-5 minutes walk only for a solid two weeks and then building up to using it for a full 15-20 minute walk warm up. A lot of people use them for a full ride but her perspective is that no athlete keeps main muscles engaged for every moment of an entire workout so the equiband doesn’t promote the natural engagement and relaxation of major muscle groups, which can lead to unnecessary soreness or bracing

[fivestrideline]

I have one - as someone said they can be overused IF you have them tight enough! If they’re too loose, they’re only giving proprioception input (not a bad thing), but you’re not getting the full effect. My horses definitely get tired faster and move differently with it on (caveat: nothing is in UL work or doing things “perfectly” already, so there’s room for the bands to work).

I like the EquiCore for warmup work - starting at 5 or 10 minutes walking only, building up to 20ish minutes including some trot and maybe canter. Basically a “lunge” under saddle.

[Larbear]

I have one and used it on my late ottb, it did make a pretty big difference. I’m currently using it on my new ottb.

[Ottbaxel]

Mine came in today and I tried it out with both of my geldings.

My 17 year old ottb, in 5-6 days of moderate work, jumping once or twice a week over small fences with decent flatwork (neck and hock arthritis, so just training level dressage, nothing crazy) did about 8-9 mins of walking and then a circle at trot each direction. Felt great trotting under saddle lightly without it afterwards!

My 11 year old is the one who is really struggling. He had some time off a few months ago, and now we are back under saddle and back to really struggling with his canter transitions (picking up the left lead in general, and lots of head tossing, bracing, popping up and leaping with both leads). His hind end is pretty underdeveloped-standing behind him he’s a bit pointy still. He did maybe 6 mins of walk on the lunge with it on before I took it off and rode him. I was surprised how he felt after that short amount of time with it on. He just felt bigger-tracking up better, lifting his back better, he felt like he filled up my leg better than he typically does if that makes sense? It was almost like he just remembered that he has a butt and can use it…and while the canter transition wasn’t perfect, he didn’t flip out nearly as much. Perhaps this is a more helpful tool than I realized even when used very sparingly?!

[Pippigirl]

Is it possible to purchase an extra Equiband saddle pad?