Heat Therapy
Equine heat therapy is a common practice used to address various muscle and joint issues in horses. It works by applying heat to a localised area.
This brings several benefits:
Types of Applications:
This brings several benefits:
- Increased Blood Flow: Heat dilates blood vessels, promoting better circulation to the treated area. This delivers essential nutrients and oxygen for healing and reduces stiffness.
- Reduced Muscle Spasms: Heat relaxes tense muscles, alleviating pain and discomfort caused by spasms. This can be particularly helpful for horses experiencing back pain or muscle soreness after exercise.
- Improved Flexibility: Heat loosens collagen fibers, making muscles and tendons more pliable. This can improve a horse's range of motion and prepare them for exercise.
- Enhanced Healing: Increased blood flow promotes the body's natural healing process by delivering repair cells and removing waste products. Heat therapy can be beneficial for wounds, arthritis, and general tissue repair.
- Before massage applications (or before Exercise):
Applying heat helps loosen muscles by causing dilation - bringing increased oxygen & nutrients the muscle. Also reducing the risk of injury during exercise. - After massage applications (or after Exercise):
Increases the removal of metabolic waste. Promotes relaxation & has a soothing affect. Heat therapy can also help horses recover faster by reducing muscle soreness and stiffness. - Chronic Conditions: Heat can manage pain and stiffness associated with arthritis and other chronic joint issues.
Types of Applications:
- Epiony Heat Pad: A heat pad with controllable temperature ranges, pliable to apply to a variety of locations on the horse including back, neck or hocks.
- Epiony Thermal Wand: Specially designed fingers to apply heat to specific muscles of the body. Especially useful for the poll & neck.