I used this system to great effect when one of my horses could only walk for a long time due to suspensory injury. It kept him fitter and used his energy. I gradually added more time at walk, then trot as he healed. He kept his topline and his sanity. The straps were never an issue (barn name: Mr. Spooky).
You can buy just the straps on the website.
Does anyone use this without he belly band? Two of my horse’s vets (he has a team) recommended this, and one said it would work fine for his issues with just the rear strap. We both think he may not tolerate the belly strap. Good experiences with this approach?
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Does anyone use this without he belly band? Two of my horse’s vets (he has a team) recommended this, and one said it would work fine for his issues with just the rear strap. We both think he may not tolerate the belly strap. Good experiences with this approach?[/QUOTE]
You might be surprised by the belly strap. I have a couple of loony tunes horses who do not react AT ALL to the belly strap. My TB (who goes into a bronc-worthy bucking fit if anything so much as touches him behind the saddle while I’m riding him) was the biggest surprise of all of mine. I put him on the lunge first (expecting fireworks) and absolutely nothing.
I think you’ll still find that the system works with just the butt band. But the belly band is supposed to increase the lift of the abdominal muscles, and if you’re not planning to use that, you might find as much effect by just buying the stretchy bands or using a polo wrap attached to your saddle.
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You might be surprised by the belly strap. I have a couple of loony tunes horses who do not react AT ALL to the belly strap. My TB (who goes into a bronc-worthy bucking fit if anything so much as touches him behind the saddle while I’m riding him) was the biggest surprise of all of mine. I put him on the lunge first (expecting fireworks) and absolutely nothing.
I think you’ll still find that the system works with just the butt band. But the belly band is supposed to increase the lift of the abdominal muscles, and if you’re not planning to use that, you might find as much effect by just buying the stretchy bands or using a polo wrap attached to your saddle.[/QUOTE]
Yes, I have considered that. My vet also said that the #1 issue as with all PT is with patient compliance, so if you just have to click a buckle, it’s easier to stick with the program. Which is a good point 
If you were to use your own Thera-Band, which color is similar to the strength of the Equicore one? Green…blue…black? Those are in the middle of the strength range.
My horse is treated by the MSU vet that was previously mentioned in this thread.
We’ve had great results with the Equiband system with my horse and several others at our barn. One horse was basically given up as a lost cause for unsoundness, and after careful work and development is sound and is a successful lower level dressage horse.
[QUOTE=IPEsq;8875255]
Does anyone use this without he belly band? Two of my horse’s vets (he has a team) recommended this, and one said it would work fine for his issues with just the rear strap. We both think he may not tolerate the belly strap. Good experiences with this approach?
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If you were to use your own Thera-Band, which color is similar to the strength of the Equicore one? Green…blue…black? Those are in the middle of the strength range.[/QUOTE]
I use each of the straps individually, and both together, depending on our workout plans that day. While my horse is most dramatically round (and tires out faster!) on the days we use both, I still do feel increased engagement on the days when I use the belly band alone or the haunches band alone. So I would say yes, it should work for your nutty horse with just the rear strap.
The strap material is pretty strong – thicker material, cut wider, and more resistance than most human thera bands that I’ve ever seen. They also apply a special texture or coating so that it doesn’t fold or roll as much as human bands. When the vet/chiro from MSU first showed me how to use it and how tight to adjust, I was surprised–it’s not just resting on the horse, it’s hugging very snugly.
They do offer the saddle pads in more sizes now than they used to.
Just wanted to add my experience too. The barn I ride at uses it for horses that are already fit but need just a little extra reminder here and there. We even jump in it sometimes. It’s never used more than two days a week on a single horse and only jumped in rarely. We’ve used it on a mare that is very particular about basically anything that touches her body and she doesn’t mind it at all.
In conclusion, it is a nice addition to a tool set but it definitely doesn’t replace hours of fitness work and building muscle the “traditional” way.
Bumping this up…I saw this system in a dressage barn last week and am fascinated. My horse works really well in the Pessoa, and I’ve been thinking for a long time that I wish I could rig up just the butt strap while I ride, lol!!
The $220 price tag is a big high, but for a good tool that will actually help build his topline and encourage him to use himself (lazy bones thinks it’s way too hard) then I’ll bite the bullet. I actually rigged up a similar get-up last week. I took my Pessoa apart so I could long-line in just the butt strap, then added a polo wrap around his belly, and he was working REALLY well. I added the polo wrap on my hack tonight (just around his belly) but it kept sliding too far back despite being tied fairly tight.
For those of you who lunge in it do you long line or use side reins or lunge in a simple halter / lunging cavesson setup?
I wound up buying one, and I will either longe in a halter or I will long line with a bridle. I don’t use side reins.
TTouch practitioner here, in the link to the TTouch wraps, the wraps are not being used properly. If you would like more information on them, refer to this pamphlet: http://www.ttouch.com/shop/index.php?productID=292
They are extremely effective when combined with body work and exercises to lift the horse’s back etc. No need to pay so much for a “system.”
The Thermatex Pro-core is very similar to the equiband but about half the price. The pro-core pad is not stiffer than most saddle pads, has two adjustable bands and 3 places to connect - one under the belly and 2 different heights around hindquarters.
I’ve used it with several horses along with my friend Tessa Howe who is a certified rehab therapist and seen impressive results. Depending on the particular response desired, sometimes just one band or the other is used, and the Pro-core can be used in combination with other equipment and activities such as side-reins or ground poles and it can be used on the long or under saddle. It is a powerful tool recommended for use under the guidance of a vet or physio.
Is it sturdy? While the price of the Equicore is a bit steep I definitely felt like the bands and pads, even the plastic buckles, weren’t going to break anytime soon. The price of the Thermatex is definitely more budget friendly, but being out of Europe if anything breaks it will take longer to replace.
Sorry, I only just saw your question! The attachments on the Pro-Core are just like you probably have on your horses blankets and are made of metal. Very sturdy. https://www.facebook.com/harrydabbssaddlemakers/photos/a.428422320523382.103518.250197195012563/1522865474412389/?type=3&theater
http://www.thesaddletree.com/Other-Products.html
Just wanted to add this article to this thread good research indicates the elastic bands do produce results very interesting.
https://hoofcare.blogspot.com.au/2017/05/royal-veterinary-college-elastic-resistance-equine-rehabilitation.html?m=1
What are the band’s of the Pro-Core made out of? It looks like just webbing. If that’s true, does anyone find it to rub?
