EquiCore System?

[JB]

@IPEsq

For the hand walking stage, probably the Ace bandage figure 8 will give you enough input to get started. But for something that’s more easily transitioned to long lining and ridden work, the Equicore system is easy to use.

@Amy3996

It won’t let me tag JB… for what it’s worth, the injury is in the LF leg. Obviously there are whole-body compensatory effects, but his hind end engagement should be ok. I’m going to wait for the green light from my vet to start using it to make sure that we’re not stressing anything prematurely.

Yes, great! I was just not understanding what you’d be doing with this system, at just a month out and still on stall rest. Once you’re at least hand walking? I can totally see the value.

[LuvRedHeads]

@Amy3996

Has anyone used it? Did it seem to help with building muscle? Our vet recommended it for my horse who’s rehabbing a DDFT injury, but I’m not sure if I should take the plunge to buy it now or wait until he’s further along into his rehab process (handwalking, etc.).

Hi Amy,
I am in the EXACT situation you are in. I am rehabbing my gelding from a RF DDFT injury that he sustained back in January.

I had always been interested in the Equicore, because my gelding conformationally has a long back and wants to stand and travel with his hind end out behind him. Prior to his injury, I was diligent to keep him in work 5-6 days a week and ride him correctly as possible, to keep his back and hind end strong.

He sustained his DDFT injury in January. We did IRAP and Shockwave, and he was on med pen turnout only with 10 min handwalk daily for a while (I forget exact dates, it’s becoming a blur now).

When I began handwalking for longer increments, I asked my vet about incorporating the Equicore. She felt it was too early in his rehab at that time, so I held off. We started tack walking end of April. We were cleared to add trot at his next checkup. He was really, really weak behind. I was still apprehensive about spending $230 on a system that I wasn’t sure was worth the value, so I reached out to a local dressage instructor who is skilled with using PT bands. She made me a setup for a hind-end band for $45. It was a game changer! It was so helpful in encouraging him to engage his hind end and lift his back.

I was so happy with the results, that I decided that the $230 for the Equicore was worth the investment. I am SO GLAD I bought it. Worth every penny. It is well constructed, quality materials, easy to use and set up. Honestly, I wish I had bought it and incorporated it sooner. And I think if my vet had been more familiar with it, she may have recommended we use it sooner - I am going to talk to her about it at our next recheck, so that it may benefit others in my situation in the future.

That is my experience - you are welcome to PM me and ask any questions directly! Obviously every case is unique so work closely with your vet to determine what is best for your horse. I will add that my horse had been lunged in a Pessoa by a former owner, so I was pretty confident that he would accept the hind end strap, and he is pretty tolerant of my shenanigans in general, so I expected him to accept the Equicore system without protest and he did. But your mileage may vary!
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Good luck with your horse!