Equilibrium Massage Pad Horse Back Circulation Muscle Relax Pony, Standard and XL

Equilibrium Products Equine Massage Pad

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Includes

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Information

Developed through trials at Myerscough College, UK, this innovative design provides effective,affordable equine massage. Proven to improve back flexibility and promote relaxation in horses, the Equilibrium Massage Pad was created to help a successful ex-racehorse through the retraining process. Combined with the Equilibrium Magnetic Back Pad, he went on to pursue a new career in Endurance!

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How does the Massage Pad work? The Equilibrium Massage Pad has three different settings, which can be selected easily from the controller. This allows you to select the intensity of the program to suit your horse. Each program has three types of massage: pulsing, vibration and stroking, which ensures muscles are worked in different ways.

The Equilibrium Massage Pad can be incorporated into your warming up and cooling down routine.

The low setting can be used to cool down after work.
The medium setting is ideal to warm up muscles before exercise.
The high setting for when your horse requires a more intense massage.

Each session will last for 30 minutes however, this can be manually stopped at anytime.

It comes in a handy carry bag, which makes it ideal for use at home and away. It is easy to store in the tack room and can be wiped clean. The bag also has storage spots which can be used for items such as the battery and charger.

The Equilibrium Massage Pad is now the choice of many Olympians, world champions and top producers.

It can be used on its own or in conjunction with the hand held Massage Mitt or the Massage Mitt Hotspot for an all over massage.

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When to use Massage The Equilibrium Massage Pad can be used for:

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Benefits of Massage Massage is well known for its ‘feel good’ factor and has been shown to aid relaxation,and assist with the maintenance of healthy muscle and muscle function. Tension is often one of the most common reasons for poor performance. By increasing relaxation and improving back flexibility, the negative effects of tension can be reduced. A relaxed horse, with relaxed muscles, will move with fluidity and suppleness which is particularly important for competition horses performing dressage movements, and those jumping technical fences.

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Clinical Trials As part of our commitment to research and product development, the Equilibrium Massage Pad was tested by Myerscough College in Lancashire, UK.

The results showed that the massage pad offers significant benefits to working horses, which include improving back flexibility and promoting relaxation and can show an increase in stride length.

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Test Methods The trial investigated the effects of massage on well schooled horses. Signs of stress or relaxation were measured immediately before, during and after the application of the Equilibrium Horse Massage Pad over a six week period. Secondly, the horses were assessed in terms of flexibility and suppleness. There were two groups of horses – a treated group and a control group.

The Arch Dip Test was used to assess back flexibility, which involves pressure stimulus to generate a reflex in the horses back. Pressure applied to a specific region in the spinal area results in the horse dipping away from the pressure. Amore flexible back allows the horse to exhibit a greater ability to dip away from the source of the pressure. The arch test involves the application of pressure to the horses midline. This stimulates an upwards arch reflex in the horses back away from the source of pressure. Similarly, a more flexible back allows the horse to exhibit a greater ability to arch the back upwards away from the pressure. The horses that had used the pad showed a significant improvement in back flexibility of 46%.

The horses also had their heart rates monitored as a measure of relaxation.

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XL Pads Equilibrium have chosen to add 2 extra motors into the Extra Large Equilibrium Massage Pad bringing the total number of massaging motors up to 6.

This is to ensure that on the larger and longer horses this pad is intended for there is excellent massage area coverage.

One of the most common areas of weakness, and therefore tension, in the horses back is the thoracolumbar region, around where the back of the saddle sits.

This can be more prominent in larger horses as they have more load to carry. Horses with a long back can really struggle with this area too. Along back can prevent the hind limb being able to step underneath the frame to help round the top line. They therefore can struggle to work efficiently through from behind, which would normally strengthen and take the pressure off this area.

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Safety Advice & FAQ
What setting should I use? Low – Most gentle massage ideal for: box rest and after exercise as a gentle warm down

Medium – General everyday setting for use: before exercise as a warm up, at a show to help relax after travelling, on your horses’ day off as part of a maintenance programme

High – Use for a more intense massage.

All horses are different and you will get to know what your horse enjoys and finds relaxing. Some horses will prefer a gentle massage on the low setting and some may enjoy a more intense massage.
How often does the battery need charging? The battery will last at least twelve 30 minute massage sessions, however you may find it does more than this. Charge when the massage feels weaker.
How should the Massage Pad be stored? Store the Massage Pad somewhere dry and safe inside the sports holdall it comes with. Avoid extreme temperatures to prevent damage to the battery.
Can my horse travel in the Massage Pad? We do not advise travelling in the massage pad for 2 reasons. The first is that if a horse leans on the Massage Pad on the partition this could damage the massage pad. Secondly, to get the most benefit out of a massage the horse needs to be stood at rest.
How often should I use the Massage Pad to see a difference? In our clinical trial the massage pad was used 6 days a week. Using it this frequently showed significant improvements in back flexibility and overall relaxation. Therefore we recommend using it at least this often to see the maximum benefits.
Can I use the Massage Pad more than once a day? Yes, use the massage pad up to 3 times a day. Especially at a competition you may wish to use it before you ride as a warm up and in-between phases or rounds.
Should I use it before or after exercise? You can use it either before or after exercise, or both! Use before exercise as a warm up, or after exercise to support recovery. Especially if you have worked your horse harder than usual.
I’ve read the massage from a Massage Pad or Massage Mitt isn’t deep enough to affect the horse, is this true? This is a comment we occasionally see on social media where individuals have misunderstood the purpose of our massage products. The Massage Pad and Massage Mitt were developed to provide a superficial (surface) massage to maintain the horses well being. This was proven in our tests by showing an increase in back flexibility and overall relaxation. The Massage Pad was not developed to replace the manual techniques of a qualified physiotherapist or massage therapist. Only a trained professional should carry out a massage to your horse that is able to reach the deeper muscles.
Will the new Equilibrium Silver Battery work with my black or navy Equilibrium Massage Pad? The new Equilibrium Silver Battery will work with the older style Equilibrium Massage Pad (black or navy in colour), however it can only be charged using the NEW Equilibrium International Charger.

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE BATTERY & CHARGER
Equilibrium Battery (7.4V 2200mAh). For use with Equilibrium Battery Charger
(Worldwide : Input 100-240V 50-60Hz 0.2A, Output DC 8.4V/400mA )