Experiences with Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)?

[Absolut_Equestrian]

There is plenty of research out there about functional electrical stimulation for humans, but (as usual) it’s been limited for horses.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4749012/

http://www.equinew.com/index.html

FES is now being offered by a local veterinarian. Who has personal experience with FES? What condition was being treated? What protocols did you follow (how many treatments, and at what intervals)?

[joiedevie99]

One of my trainers used it for her developing PSG horse when he was rehabbing from an injury. It really helped him keep muscle through the back and SI areas while he was walking. I’m considering it now for my small tour horse who has been on an extended lay-up. He’s chronically weak in the SI, and the vet feels it will help give him a baseline of muscle to start carrying a rider again.

[TooManyBays]

@joiedevie99

One of my trainers used it for her developing PSG horse when he was rehabbing from an injury. It really helped him keep muscle through the back and SI areas while he was walking. I’m considering it now for my small tour horse who has been on an extended lay-up. He’s chronically weak in the SI, and the vet feels it will help give him a baseline of muscle to start carrying a rider again.

How often did she use the device? It seems very interesting but also seems like it would be needed daily?

[joiedevie99]

For my horse, the vet is recommending 5 treatments - 3 the first week and two the second. I believe my trainer did 5 as well, but hers were more spaced out - 2 the first week, and then 1/week.