Magnetotherapy: An Investment in Horse’s Well-being
Those who work in the industry know this well: horses are 100% athletes and should be treated as such. Just like any athlete, they undergo significant physical stress, which is unavoidable during training. This stress varies depending on the type of activity, its intensity, and the weather conditions. Lactic acid, muscle soreness, and fatigue are inevitable and can compromise the well-being of our horses.
To understand how to help our four-legged athletes feel better and, consequently, improve their performance, we sought the help of Dr. Carlotta Caminiti, head of the Le Cicogne Veterinary Center in the province of Novara. With her usual enthusiasm, she came to our aid. An expert in rehabilitation, Dr. Caminiti has always embraced a philosophy aimed at the horse’s overall well-being. A deep understanding of our equine friends, not only from a scientific perspective but also an empathetic one, drives her to seek solutions that ensure they live long, healthy, and fulfilling lives.
Regarding our request for a method to help our athlete horses avoid the so-called “Monday blues,” or, more generally, to assist them during periods of intense activity, Dr. Caminiti delved into explaining the importance of magnetotherapy. Widely used in human medicine for many years, it is now also commonly used in equine medicine.
Lactic Acid, Discomfort, and Pain
After high-intensity training, muscle fatigue is inevitable, especially following anaerobic work, due to the accumulation of lactic acid in the muscles. When exercise is intense and prolonged, cells do not have enough oxygen to produce the energy they need, so they use glycolysis as the primary source of energy, which results in the production of lactic acid.
This acid accumulates in the muscles and needs to be eliminated in the hours following the effort. Adding to this situation is the “forced rest” in the stable after exertion. In fact, to metabolize acidosis, horses should be allowed to move, but they are often confined to their boxes without the chance to properly discharge the effort. Therefore, as the first intervention after intense exertion, we allow our athletes to recover by relaxing in the paddock, where they not only have the opportunity to eliminate the accumulated acid but also to clear their minds and regenerate.
Muscle Discomfort
Even the best-managed horses, who enjoy well-deserved relaxation in the pasture, can still suffer from muscle fatigue or stiffness, which can lead to overall health issues. Over time, muscle pain makes horses more prone to injuries, reduces their sporting performance, and leaves them tired and irritable. To best address these issues, an essential aid, which can be directly managed in the stable, is magnetotherapy. This physiotherapeutic treatment, widely used in human medicine with excellent results, especially for bone fractures, is not limited to that!
Magnetic Fields
The applications of magnetotherapy in horses are numerous, and several machines can be used not only for therapeutic purposes but also as a preparatory tool before exertion.
They are also particularly effective in aiding recovery after intense physical activity. Magnetotherapy devices produce energy that creates a pulsating magnetic field, with different effects depending on the frequencies delivered. The more a device can deliver energy using different frequencies, the more effective it will be in treating a wide range of issues affecting various parts of the horse’s body.
A Simple Application
Having been used on humans for many years, magnetotherapy has now made its way into stables thanks to its ease of use, the numerous benefits it brings, and, importantly, its almost total lack of side effects. Several leading companies in human magnetotherapy have ventured into the equine world, one of which is Globus, which has developed therapeutic aids such as boots and blankets that are easy to apply and use by owners or stable staff, without the need for professional intervention.
Thus, magnetotherapy becomes a simple tool for pre-competition “warm-ups,” post-intensive work recovery, as well as for targeted treatments to reduce local inflammation and promote the healing of damaged tissues such as tendons, ligaments, or even bones in the case of fractures or bone edema.
Investing in the Future
With proper preparation and attention to the body’s signals, we can help keep our beloved horses in peak condition, ready to face every challenge with energy and vitality. Let us learn to guarantee a future for our equine friends through athletic preparation, a healthy life, and prevention. With an accessible investment and simple usage, magnetotherapy is an excellent aid to improve the lives of our sports horses.
Elena Pecora
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