Magnetic Therapy for Horses
Magnetic therapy is an ancient form of treatment for many types of ailments. Having been in use for at least the last two thousand years, magnetic therapy has been applied to both humans and animals; including prolific use of magnetic therapy for horses since the Greek and Roman empires ruled the earth. These ancient peoples used magnetic therapy to treat horse tendon injuries, muscle soreness, wounds, and even fractures with varying degrees of reported success. However, as modern medicine and its applications in horses progressed substantially in the late 1800’s, magnetic therapy for equids declined in use in favor of what were often more invasive, but better-understood techniques. In fact, it seems that the lack of empirical proof for the results provided by magnetic therapy for horses may have directly led to its decline. Nevertheless, horse owners, trainers, handlers, veterinarians, and many other equine professionals all around the world are beginning to use this ancient healing art once more, causing an explosion in the magnetic therapies markets for horses.
Today, there is still very little evidence that proves unequivocally that horse injuries can be healed by magnetic therapy. However, many professionals practicing in equine-related fields will attest to the fact that this therapy works; even if they don’t quite know why it works. In order to make sense of this for yourself, an understanding of the basic principles of magnetic therapy for horses is essential.
First, it should be noted that a horse’s body utilizes electrical impulses to perform nearly every function. These impulses travel through the nerves and circulatory system, sending information back to the brain, which responds accordingly in ideal situations. Unlike electricity or electrical impulses, magnets are not a type of energy. Rather, magnets are a force, and as such they can alter a state or condition of rest or motion within a body. Put more simply, magnets and magnetic fields produce force that influences electrical impulses. In theory, it would stand to reason that magnetic fields could therefore affect the electrical impulses in a horse’s body. In modern application of magnetic therapy for horses, the effects of the force between the opposing poles of a magnet are theorized to cause ions in the blood stream to separate and bounce back and forth between the poles. If this is the case, then the result would be a widening of the targeted blood vessels.
If indeed the opposing forces of magnets do cause a widening of blood vessels, then it seems likely that there would be related health benefits. This is because widened vessels and arteries produce better circulation, which promotes the delivery of necessary nutrients to the targeted areas and in general promotes more rapid healing. Additionally, the application of the magnetic therapies for horses may have some less-technical properties. Typically, these therapies are applied via a cuff, a blanket, or stitched within a bandage. When applied to a horse in the treatment of an injury or condition, the very pressure of the blanket, bandage or cuff may help to heat the afflicted area, causing an increase in circulation and resulting in the same benefits that occur with improved circulation as mentioned previously.
However, there seems to be one major problem with this theory. The issue lies in the strength of the magnetic fields. The force of a magnetic field is measured in Gauss units, with typical magnetic therapy products for horses in the range of 10-500 gauss. The earth’s own natural and constant magnetic field is about 1 gauss. Studies ranging from 1 to as many as 10,000 gauss have continually yielded the same results: while the measurement at the typical therapy device may be as much as 500 gauss, moving away from the device by just one centimeter reduces the force to almost nothing. This means that it is unlikely that the force applied by the magnetic field actually serves to separate the ions in the blood, unless in the case of a superficial wound.
This is not to say that magnetic therapy for horses is useless, as the testimony of thousands of people over the millennia would seem to refute such a claim. Rather, it is possible that magnetic therapy for horses works in ways that we cannot yet measure or do not yet understand. It has also been suggested that horses might benefit from a type of placebo effect passed on to them by their owner’s belief that the magnetic treatment will work. While this might seem a little far-fetched, it does stand to reason that owners and handlers who care enough about their horse’s health and well-being to attempt such a non-invasive form of therapy will likely be quite attentive to their horse. This increased level of interaction and affection could very well boost the animal’s morale, resulting in faster and more efficient healing.
Whatever the case may be, it seems that the jury is still out when considering the case for magnetic therapy for horses. In order to learn more for yourself, contact a holistic veterinarian who offers a more natural approach to healing and be sure to ask lots of questions. Because while science may have yet to prove that magnetic therapy works, it is widely believed that this type of therapy will not endanger or injure your horse in any way. You’ve got nothing to lose but a few bucks, as magnetic therapy for horses is an inexpensive, natural alternative.
