Magnetic and Massage Blankets

[HappyRiding]

So I’m starting to notice a lot of people with either magnet or massage blankets at all the shows. I understand the difference in the two but people say they are using them for the same reason. Which do you think is better? Do they work? Is there a specific brand that works better than others? Thoughts?

Also, I’m interested in buying one for myself for a Christmas present if they are a good investment.

EDIT: I really only care about the massage blanket mentioned in post #4. But if anyone has a good, specific magnetic blanket I wouldn’t mind being linked to it :yes:

[faluut42]

Magnetic blankets essentially get the circulation going. Massage blankets vibrate and massge the mucles of the horse. I personally prefer the magnetic blanket and have seen them make the horse more relaxed, however im not sure they are worth the 5k+ they cost.

[graustarkian]

I have never tried massage blankets, but back when I was showing a lot and trailering long distances magnetic blankets were a godsend.

[HappyRiding]

So I didn’t end up getting a magnetic or a massage blanket. Recently, though, I came across the HHP horse massage blanket. ( http://www.hhp.de/english/product-horse-massage-blanket.html ) Does anyone have this or know about a price point? It’s definitely got me interested…

[deltawave]

Magnetic blankets essentially get the circulation going.

A giant, strap on electromagnet, maybe. And whether this is actually beneficial is debatable. The silly little things that people buy? Nope. Nuthin’. Worthless.

[RAyers]

Oh, what the hell…

I have yet to ever hear of anybody coming out of an MRI feeling refreshed and having increased circulation.

Here is irony, folks claim magnetic fields increase all sort of beneficial things yet they are fearful of living under high tension electrical wires. That is also a oscillatory magnetic field. Yet, there are claims of these causing cancers.

As stated by delta, massive oscillating magnetic fields can have significant biologic effect as shown in some of our group’s work decades ago. However, magnetic fields have never been shown to have the effects claimed by those who make or use static magnetic blankets.

faluut, are you sure it is not simply having a blanket on the horse, keeping it warm? The horse would exhibit the same external signs.

Reed

[riderer]

On the website www.hhp.horse it cost 3500eur

[pegasusmom]

My vet just spoke to me about this massage blanket - she is very skeptical about such things and saw a noticeable difference in the horse she witnessed receiving the treatment. They will be available in the US shortly, to the tune of about $6000. It has apparently been a popular therapy on the jumper circuit in Europe recently.

[Hunterkid]

Have you looked into back on track?

[supershorty628]

I know you said you’re only interested in the massage blanket that you linked, but Equissage makes a wither pad that massages - it also comes with a hand unit. It’s substantially cheaper - I think the one I bought was about $3000, and it’s AMAZING.

I noticed a big difference in my mare’s flexibility and overall lack of stiffness, not so much at home (where she moves around a lot more), but at shows when she doesn’t get out as much. I’ve used the hand unit on my neck a few times and it’s awesome!

I was really skeptical about it when I first saw it, but I’m glad I invested in it!

Here’s a picture of her begging and wearing it

I’ve been talked into trying some of the magnetic blankets and I didn’t notice any difference at all.

[yellowbritches]

I have that, too, supershorty, and it was the best money ever spent on my horse. Not as thorough as a true all over massage with a massage therapist, but a great way to warm up and relax his back. He loves it and it makes a noticeable difference. I actually prefer it to the big fancy massage/magnetic blanket (it did both) I was using that my former employer had. I notice a bigger difference. Plus, he can wear year round. That big head to tail thing was so hot and heavy that he would just sweat buckets in it in the warm months.

ETA- lies. I haven’t had my coffee yet and didn’t quite grasp which one was being mentioned. I have the Equilibrium product one. Less expensive than the Equissage, but I think both are great.