Facts About Equine Magnetic Therapy

Equine magnetic therapy is the use of magnets to help alleviate pain in horses, especially from sprains, backaches and arthritis. Proponents of magnetic therapy say that it helps improve circulation, which helps reduce inflammation and speed healing. This is thought to be due to the traces of metal in hemoglobin. Those against magnetic therapy argue that it does not affect circulation in any way.

  1. Types

    • There are two types of magnetic therapy used in treating horses. One is the use of magnets sewn into products such as blankets, leg wraps, bell boots and neck wraps. These products can be purchased ready-made. The second is the use of electrically charged magnets. These battery coils are inside of pads that are then plugged into a battery. This creates a small magnetic field thought to help blood flow.

    History

    • Magnetic materials (called lodestones) were thought to have magical properties all throughout history. In the 16th century, alchemist and astrologer Paracelsus was convinced that they could help the body eliminate toxins. In the mid 1800s, both types of magnetic therapy were popular in America and Europe as a cure-all. Uses of magnetic therapy in horses did not start until the 1990s.

    Studies

    • There are no conclusive scientific studies about the benefits of either type of magnetic therapy in the circulation of humans or horses. The Complete Equine Veterinary Manual does not recommend magnetic therapy for horses in any situation. Daniel W. Ramey, DVM, writing for Veterinarywatch.com, notes that only studies funded by the makers of Bioflex magnetic pads for horses showed magnets having any positive benefits to horses. Also, studies done on horses were done on healthy horses, not horses suffering the injuries magnetic therapy is supposed to cure.

    Cost

    • Costs vary between manufacturers, but the average price for a magnetic horse blanket is US$200, bell boots at US$50 each and a magnetic girth cover at US$40. Magnetic therapy products for horses can be found in tack shops, horse supply catalogs and online sites.

    Precautions

    • Magnetic therapy products for horses should not be handled by anyone with a pacemaker or defibrillator. The magnets may harm these devices. It is also unknown what the presence of magnetic fields can do to a developing fetus, so pregnant women and pregnant mares should stay away from these products.