Magnetic therapy is an ever-growing industry worth an estimated $1b each year, and has particularly gathered support within the equine community over the past few years.
Magnetic therapy traditionally involves the use of static magnets to influence physiological processes within the horses body. The primary goal is to improve blood circulation, reduce equine inflammation, and promote healing. In horses, this therapy is applied through various devices, with 'magnetic boots' being a prevalent option.
From magnetic boots to magnetic rugs, there are a variety of options available to horse owners. In this article we investigate some of the differing kinds of magnets used within the equine 'magnetic therapy' market and highlight some of their key differences.
The Magnetic Therapy Industry
Not so long ago, magnetic therapy in it's entirety was shunned by mainstream medicine, dismissed as ineffective and, even worse, condemned as 'quackery' or 'snake oil'. As scientists discover new techniques and how to apply science, this is set to change, including a greater understanding of quantum physics and how every molecule in existence reacts naturally to magnetic fields.
There are a plethora of different magnetic products developed for use on horses, the most commonly used are 'magnetic boots' or 'magnetic leg wraps'. As many commonly found equine health conditions directly relate to the horses legs; this is of no surprise.
Manufacturers in this sector appear to have limited understanding of the science behind 'magnetic therapy' and simply fit low-cost magnets into their horse boot design. In our opinion, this is the reason that 'magnetic therapy' has such a mixed reputation within the equine community. Why do none of these established manufacturers share any study or trial data and why have they never pursued full clinical publication?
The industry is rapidly changing due to the introduction of bio-resonance magnetic therapy - a new approach to magnetism which creates no heat and provides full body coverage.
Many horse owners are aware of the many holistic options and treatments on the market but less are aware of the benefits of a new technology making waves in the equine community - 360º bio resonance therapy. We take a closer look at this further on within this article.
Magnetic Boots for Horses: Enhancing Equine Health and Performance using Magnets
Our daily approach to equine care involves maintaining our beloved horses health on a continuous and ongoing basis. Spotting equine lameness early can be key to avoiding long term and serious issues.
As equestrians look to support their horses using a holistic approach, magnetic boots have emerged as a popular choice among horse owners and trainers.
The term "Magnetic boots" is rather vague; so in this article we look at the variety of products on the market and how they should (and should not!) be used on your horse.
Types of Magnetic Boots
Several types of 'magnetic boots' are available, each designed to target specific areas. Let's take a closer look:
1. Magnetic Tendon Boots
Designed to cover the horse's shins and tendons, 'Magnetic Tendon Boots' apply magnetic fields to areas prone to stress and injury - in this case, the horses tendons in their legs. Many magnetic tendon boots are constructed with durable nylon and a soft cotton lining, featuring strategically placed neodymium magnets positioned over the tendons and shins of the horse. Most magnetic tendon boots are suitable for use on both the front and hind legs and provide localised effects to the horse. Many target the fetlocks and tendons running down the legs As they use static magnets, the horse will react to the magnetic fields and the result of this reaction will be an increase in their thermal temperature - ie, their legs will heat up. To support recovery from a tendon, ligament or splint injury - applying heat is the opposite of what you are looking for to provide the most optimum environment for healing.
NOTE: check out our article on when to use hot or cold therapy.
2. Magnetic Hock Boots
"Magnetic Hock Boots" focus on the hock joint (the hind legs), an area highly susceptible to arthritis and other leg issues. As with Magnetic tendon boots, The majority of "Magnetic Hock Boots" incorporate a number of "powerful" magnets embedded within a unique inner- no different to above but often developed/marketed to be positioned on the hind/back legs and target the hocks. This design distributes a series of magnetic fields into the hock joint and marketed at aiding a reducing inflammation and promoting healing. Similarly to magnetic tendon boots, these traditional magnetic products create a thermal reaction in the horse shocks - ie, heat. Once again, supporting any health issue or condition within the hock, avoiding heat should be the aim, not increasing it.
3. Magnetic Bell Boots
"Magnetic bell boots" are marketed to apply magnetic therapy to the hoof area, potentially benefiting horses with hoof-related issues. Many manufacturers offers magnetic bell boots that contain a number of magnets per boot, designed for therapeutic use to aid in the treatment of conditions affecting the hooves of a horse. These boots are often constructed from durable materials due to the nature of wear they are placed and are intended for use during rest periods rather than active work; as they'll fall off or get too muddy if used in turnout. As with all static magnetic products - magnetic bell boots will provide localised area and will generate a thermal increase in the horses hooves.
4. Magnetic Horse Wraps
Due to the nature of so many injuries in the equine world relating to the horses legs; "wraps" or "bands" are often used to describe the product which wraps around the horses legs. These traditional-approached technologies contain the same technology as above - but stitched into equine products which wrap around the legs. Again, these will increase heat in the horses legs and as such have limited-usage time.
The 'Strength' of Magnets and their Effects on Horses
At StreamZ we are asked this question on a daily basis, a result of other manufacturers wanting to distinguish themselves over their competitors.
"Hi, I am interested in learning more about what 'strength' of magnets are used in your magnetic horse boots? What Gauss are they?"
Using Gauss is misleading. In our opinion, manufacturers who advertise that they use "strong Gauss magnets" use this as just that - a marketing tool.
The magnetic gauss level of Planet Earth is 0.5 gauss yet the gauss level of a magnetic alphabet toy stuck to your fridge is likely to be around 600 gauss. Does that mean the earths magnetic field is weaker than your fridge magnet? If you put 2 x 600G magnets next to each other, does that create a 1200 Gauss magnetic field. No, it doesn't.
The reality is that the Gauss level of a magnet can vary as one individual magnet does not have one specific measurement of Gauss within it.
Claiming the Gauss level is "stronger" than others is misleading consumers into believing that the higher the Gauss the better it's effects. This is simply not true.
Understanding Magnetic Gauss levels
Gauss is a complicated mathematical equation which directly refers to the intensity of the magnetic field. For the purpose of sanity we won’t be going into this within this article; feel free to ‘Google it’ and see what we mean.
Gauss readings are different to the ‘pull strength’ of the magnet and the 'gauss level’ of the magnet being used should not be used to establish “the strength” of the magnetic fields within the magnet itself.
As we say, it’s complicated and in our opinion manufactures use this complicated science to 'bamboozle' customers with how their product claims to work better than others.
Types of Magnets used in Equine Therapy Devices
There are three main types of magnets which are categorised by how they source their magnetic field. Temporary magnets which as the name suggests only hold their magnetic fields temporarily, permanent magnets which do not lose their magnetism over a period of time and electromagnetic which create a magnetic field by having electrical currents passed through it, when the current is switched off so is the magnetic field.
In the magnetic therapy market permanent or static magnets are mainly used, yet, the question of polarity and 'how best to deliver magnetic poles' for maximum therapeutic effect is unknown and widely debated.
What is entirely factual is the inflated costs of traditional magnetic horse boots and how simple and readily available their technologies are. These magnets are very cheap and are the same magnets used by the vast majority of manufacturers on the market.
The image below shows 3 products. The first two are established products on the equine market. They both contain "a number of 600 Gauss magnets". In this image the actual magnets have been removed from the product and shown in the image) which can be purchased online from as little as $0.01 each!
StreamZ are often asked "Why is StreamZ is more expensive than other products?".... We hope that this image below shows just how different the technologies are.
StreamZ technology is highly engineered and manufactured for the purpose in which it was intended. Comparing traditional magnetic products with StreamZ really is difficult.
1. Neodymium Magnets used in Magnetic Products
Neodymium magnets are rare-earth magnets that and are widely used in magnetic horse boots and by the majority of horse boot manufacturers including the most established brands on the market.
Neodymium magnets generate a powerful magnetic field that penetrates into the horses muscles and tissues, helping to stimulate localised blood flow and thus impacting their health. The neodymium magnets are often positioned against pressure points in the horses body and provide local benefits to the horse.
They vary in ‘strength’ but in simplistic form the higher their Gauss level, the further the magnetic field ‘travels’ from the face of the magnet.
Neodymium magnets, when placed against a horse will create a thermal reaction (heat) in the body. That aside, these types of magnets are extremely low cost and widely available.
Neodymium magnets are by far the 'strongest' static magnets available in science and have shown to avoid demagnetisation better than other magnetic materials, with this, many magnetic therapy manufacturers are attracted (excuse the pun) to using neodymium magnetics in their therapeutic devices. The majority of 'premium' manufacturers openly use Neodymium magnets in their products.
Neodymium magnets create a static and consistent magnetic field and are incredibly low cost to manufacturer.
600 Gauss neodymium magnets (as seen in most magnetic horse devices) can be purchased online - direct from manufacturers - from as little as $0.01 per magnet! Just Google '600 Gauss magnets wholesale' and see for yourself.
The majority of 'magnetic therapy boots' on the market use these low-cost magnets, some with 6 or even 12 magnets stitched into their products.
2. Ceramic (Ferrite) or Rubber Magnets used in Magnetic Products
There are then Ceramic magnets and Flexible/rubber magnets which historically hold less charge and are often overlooked by magnetic therapy companies in the equine industry as they are normally heavier than neodymium magnets.
Many magnetic horse rugs will use ceramic rubber pads which are magnetised. These, like neodymium magnets, are widely available and extremely low cost to manufacturer.
Rubber magnets, often used in fridge magnets or toys, contain a mix of rubber and ferrite which produce a static magnetic field.
3. Bio-Resonance Silicone Magnets (New)
Advancements in quantum physics over the past few years have seen birth of the worlds-first fully siliconised magnet, a magnetic material manufactured using a protected mix of natural silicones and ferrites, which are then subjected to an electromagnetic field.
This technology create horizontally positioned magnetic fields - multipolar magnetism is action.
Unlike with static magnets, bio-resonance magnetism - or advanced magnetism - works on the principles of resonance and how every molecule reacts to magnetic fields. Bio-resonance magnetism is not measure in gauss, it creates a series of 360º magnetic fields which produce an entirely non-invasive form of magnetism to the horse which results in no thermal increase.
Bio-resonance therapy has gathered substantial credibility in the past few years due to it's unrivalled results on many horse heath conditions across many disciplines, including leading vets and therapists, endorsements by top equine professionals and equine influencers.
How to Select the Best Magnetic Therapy for your Horse
With so many varieties of magnetic devices out there, we take a quick look at the options on the market.
Traditional magnetic products create localised benefits; in other words; the magnetic device must be placed against the area of the horses body which requires support. So, if your horse has an injury to their fetlock then a magnetic fetlock band is an option. If they need help within their tarsal joint (hock) then a Magnetic Hock Boot is another option.
Advanced magnetism, unlike traditional static magnets, can be placed on the legs and provide effects across the whole body, ie, full body coverage.
Equine manufacturers stitch small magnets into their products, at carefully positioned pressure points. A large variety of products are available on the market which specifically target locations in the body.
Unipolar or Multipolar Magnets
What is important when using magnetism to support our health is establishing the polarity of the magnetic fields within the magnet itself.
All magnets have a north (positive) and south (negative) pole within them. Altering and manipulating these magnetic fields to direct the energy into the body is how many of the manufacturers claim to differ.
"Unipolar" devices target one magnetic field (either North or South) into the body whereas "Multipolar" or "Bipolar" devices are used to describe magnetic devices which deliver multiple fields of magnetism to the body which face the body at the same time.
Unipolar magnets do not actually exist in science, all magnets are bipolar, but some magnetic therapy companies position a neodymium magnet facing away from the body and claim this to be "unipolar". It's nonsense.
Magnetite used in Magnets
Magnetite is a naturally occurring, black, magnetic iron oxide mineral (Fe3O4) that is also an important iron ore and is known for its strong magnetic properties. Magnetite has been used for many years.
Magnetite, a natural material, is a crystal which creates both a positive and negative magnetic charge. Magnetite is used in some jewellery to expose the wearer to both north and south magnetic poles.
Magnetite is one of 16 ferrites within the latest advancement in magnetic therapy as introduced by StreamZ Global.
Table of a selection of therapeutic products advertised on the market
The following table is a ‘snap-shot’ of some of the most popular products in the equine market. With a plethora of varying technologies and marketing stances we look at some of the key features of magnetic therapy boots and what that means to horse owners.
*1 Unipolar magnets do not exist in science (fact) !!
*2 Although this company claim their technology can be used 24x7, when we look at their technology they use neodymium magnets which claim to contain 6 x 2000 gauss magnets. Due to this, we would question their claims that these bands can be used 24x7.
Do Magnets Create Heat?
This is a topic much debated within the magnetic therapy market and a subject which many manufacturers disagree on.
The reality is that traditional magnets themselves do not create heat, as such, if they did we could simply fit magnets within water tanks to increase the temperature of the water.
This is not what we refer to in the industry when we say "magnetic therapy creates heat". Simply attach a static magnetic device - such as Magnetic horse boots - to a horses legs and see what you can detect as an impact. The first thing you'll notice is how hot the leg becomes.
A varying magnetic field (not a constant magnetic field) will induce an electric current in a conductor, and an electric current can produce heat - so there are certain processes and technologies which use magnetism to create heat. Heat can also be created from magnets by putting magnetised materials into a high-frequency oscillating magnetic field which makes the magnet's polarity switch back and forth at a high-enough rate to produce a level of friction - which in turn creates heat.
You see, it’s complicated!
Magnets themselves do not have heating properties, the action they create on the living system produces a reaction which can lead to an increase in thermal activity. This is an important point.
Using Thermal Imaging to prove once and for all
Whether products do or do not create heat leads to a lot of misunderstanding within the therapy market. It would be easily proved by these manufacturers if they really wanted to prove it!
Thermal imaging techniques are an import study which manufacturers should use to prove or disprove that their products increase the thermal temperature - importantly within the muscle structures themselves and not just on the surface area.
For some reason however the majority of manufacturers who claim their technology "does not create heat" do not carry out or disclose these studies to their audiences. Why is this? It could be argued that they carry out these studies and see an increase in heat or that they simply do not bother. Some manufacturers are well aware of this and clearly advertise the bands to be used for limited periods of time and not on muscle or tendon injuries.
Whether a magnetic product creates heat or not can be shown in thermal imaging, as shown by StreamZ global. If you are unsure then ask the manufacturer if they have carried out these studies and if not, why not.
Applying heat to aid recovery
Applying heat is not what we look for when supporting our horses recovery process. Importantly, when a muscle, tendon or ligament is healing it requires limiting heat to the area and in many cases horse owners will apply cold compressing (the opposite effect of traditional magnetic therapy) to the horses injury. As with a professional athlete, when a muscle is pulled or strained a bag of ice goes on!
It is this reason that the majority of magnetic therapy manufacturers do not advise that their products are used immediately after exercise and should only be used when the horses pulse rate has returned to normal.
Using magnetic therapy for long periods of time
Many traditional magnetic products, using static neodymium magnets, should only be used for limited and short periods of time. In many cases, up to 4 or 8 hours maximum.
This results in horse owners having to manage the period of time their horse is wearing the product, complicating their ongoing care.
Bio-resonance therapy, alternatively, creates no thermal increase and as such can be used 365 day a year including 24x7 use through turnout.
Benefits of Advanced Magnetic Therapy over Static Magnets
Advanced Bio-Resonance Magnetism introduced by StreamZ Global, uses an entirely unique approach to magnetic therapy. Unlike the majority of 'Magnetic Boot' manufacturers, StreamZ manufacturer the magnetics used within our devices ourselves, they are not purchased in for pennies from abroad.
Unlike with traditional magnets, StreamZ manufacture their magnets themselves in the United Kingdom using a secret-mix of natural silicones and 16 carefully formulated metallic ferrites.
Once mixed and cured, the material is then subjected to a specifically developed magnetic machine which sets a variety of frequencies within the material itself.
The result of this is a fully flexible magnet which maintains it’s polarities (frequencies) and provides a series of extremely low-frequency magnetic fields.
The multi-directional fields of magnetism within StreamZ silicone are wrapped around the horses legs providing a 360º energy field. This process does not lead to a thermal reaction in the horses body (or legs) and thus does not create.
EQU StreamZ magnetic therapy bands can be used 24x7 and on conditions where applying heat should be avoided. They are ideal for supporting muscle, tendon and ligament injuries where applying heat should be avoided.
They are easy-to-use and do not require the owner to keep track of when the magnetic therapy bands were fitted.
Unlike the vast majority of manufacturers StreamZ provide extensive efficacy evidence using both independent and in-house studies. This includes pre clinical studies with leading animal universities. Although not fully clinically proven StreamZ magnetic technology has shown in independent clinically controlled double-blind studies to support claims of improved range of motion (tarsal joint), inflammation reduction (windgalls) and much more.
Finally, and most importantly, comes results. Independent reviews (on amazon.co.uk) show how superior Streamz products are, along with reviews on their own websites which exceed 500 5-star reviews. Alongside reviews StreamZ have extensive endorsements directly relating to their product from a range of influencers and top level professionals including world and olympic champions.
In summary
The magnetic therapy market is an ever-growing aspect of holistic horse care and can be used to support a wide variety of condition with horses.
Horse owners are well aware of the anecdotal benefits of these products and widely adopt them to complement their horse in a whole variety of ways from arthritis, inflammatory conditions and of their ongoing wellbeing.
If you haven’t tried magnetic therapy on your horse then why not give EQU StreamZ horse bands a go, we’re pretty sure you’ll be delighted with the results.
Note: the views and opinions within this article are by StreamZ Global and have been established by reviewing marketing claims made by the manufacturers listed within the table above. If you require specific information from another manufacturer please contact them; as they promote their own products surely they know how they work.…