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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 342
 
Location: Alabama | Okay, so after reading threads all day i have to ask, am i the only one who doesn't own, PHT magnetic products, BOT products, soft rides ect, ect & not have issues??
Yes my horses see an awesome chiropractor religiously every 3 month, have proper fitting saddle, quality pads, a GREAT farrier & Amazing equine dentist, but i have not had issues with them... I can take them to 3 day barrel races & they're fine without these products... My 1D horse may hit 3 rodeos a weekend and he's fine. Yes they are conditioned & get time off regularly also but i want to know, am i just lucky?
People tell me i need to buy this, i need that to keep my horses sound & going... |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 678
Location: Canada | Sounds like you have an awesome horse that is built to last. Not everyone does these days. I use my "alternative" therapy items as a tool. I like that I have them but I wouldn't tell someone they need to have them to keep their horse sound.
I use them because I like that I have an option but I also don't use them on all my horses. I have some that love them (they are they love me, pet me, adore my type horses) and I have some (the don't warm me up, no I don't want to be your friend, get out of my way and let me do my job then go away) that don't.
If what you're doing works then don't mess with it :)
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
 
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | I work my butt off every day, but an Epsom salts bath, massage, or time relaxing with magnets sure does make me feel that hard work a whole lot less. |
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 BHW New Catch of the Day
Posts: 9884
Location: Missouri | I don't have any cool stuff |
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 Own It and Move On
Location: The edge of no where | Three 4 Luck - 2015-09-17 1:36 PM I work my butt off every day, but an Epsom salts bath, massage, or time relaxing with magnets sure does make me feel that hard work a whole lot less.
^Amen |
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 You get what you give
Posts: 13030
Location: Texas | I have a lot of that stuff but the only thing I religiously use are my soft rides on a horse who continuously blocks to a PD with no bony changes on radiographs.
I'm scared to keep heat on a leg so i I don't use BOTs a lot. I have them because I won them.
Unfortunately, the best horse I have ever had in my life is not the soundest horse I have ever had. She kicked through a fence years before I bought her so she has a scarred up hock and possible involvement in her proximal suspensory. She requires maintenance and her career won't be super long because of it.
I do have another horse, who is just as nice as this one but not as consistent or as easy to run... She truly gets safe choice feed, alfalfa and hay.... no oral supplements, no injectables like adequan, no pentosan, or whatever... she gets her hocks injected every 8 months-12 months and chiro as needed. The biggest thing to keep her going is to keep her appetite good. She stresses easily and goes off feed fast. She won't eat with supplements in her feed. She's healthier when she's eating full meals so I just do what I can to keep her fat and happy.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 342
Location: Alabama | i mean i use liniment & do the cold hose therapy & things but i just don't see dropping $300+ on products that i don't think he really needs & in his case would destroy.
I have been told it'll make him better, faster ect... |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 617
Location: London Ontario | I too own none of the above right now. That doesn't mean that wont change in the future however. I have good quality hay and feed, a great farrier and vet and ensure my horses are in great shape muscular and cardio before I do any running. I cold hose after each ride and liniment as well as stretch and give time off when needed. I think they too are tools that help them preform even though I like to keep my horses a little tougher. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 342
Location: Alabama | i see using these products on horses with issues, but i don't even have to injects hocks or stifles on this particular horse...
Have had 3 vets look at and radio graph him and couldn't find a hair out of place...
He eats Nutrena Pro force fuel, I do feed him a joint supplement, but i do all my horses and have ulcer guard for hauling & things but that's about it |
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You get what you give
Posts: 13030
Location: Texas | I have to justify purchasing products based on evidence and need.. soft rides are legit, they do work.. but, if your horse is sound on his own and has no problems, you aren't going to make him even MORE sound by using them.. he's already sound. My horse is not 100% sound, at least not long term, with her just standing in shoes. Vets always see it when she comes in, which is why she has had survey films and we've done blocks on her front feet.. she does become sound with coffin joint injections and with the soft rides.
I'm very quick to stop using something if I do not see an obvservable change or improvement with it. Which is why a lot of stuff I have is covered in dust. lol. |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
Location: Kansas | I don't anything cool |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | Had it and sold it.
I spend money on Pentosan, MSM, and injections if needed. I use poultice and cold hosing instead of these products.
Not saying they don't work, but I have had some of each and sold them.
ETA: I would like some Soft Rides but I don't stall on concrete enough for me to justify the purchase.
Edited by barrelracr131 2015-09-18 9:41 AM
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| Barrelracingroper12 - 2015-09-17 2:01 PM
i see using these products on horses with issues, but i don't even have to injects hocks or stifles on this particular horse...
Have had 3 vets look at and radio graph him and couldn't find a hair out of place...
He eats Nutrena Pro force fuel, I do feed him a joint supplement, but i do all my horses and have ulcer guard for hauling & things but that's about it
My sister had a horse she ran years ago on the WPRA circut, hauled him everywhere. She took him to the chiro and the chiro said the horse was fine, nothing needed to be done with him. So treasure your horse, because that kind is few and far between. 
Edited by GLP 2015-09-18 10:26 AM
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7268
| I don't have any of that expen$ive stuff either. I do use a chiro, liniments, braces, poltices, hydrotheraphy, etc. though.
The only time I've ever really had trouble with lameness on any of my horses is when I THOUGHT I could go barefoot with my thin-soled gelding. I just must be lucky.
I also didn't buy a Triple Creek saddle when everybody else on the planet did.
Edited by Griz 2015-09-18 11:39 AM
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  Ms. Marine
Posts: 4641
Location: Texas | Nope, not the only one. I don't have any of that fancy stuff either. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2457
| Griz - 2015-09-18 11:32 AM I don't have any of that expen$ive stuff either. I do use a chiro, liniments, braces, poltices, hydrotheraphy, etc. though. The only time I've ever really had trouble with lameness on any of my horses is when I THOUGHT I could go barefoot with my thin-soled gelding. I just must be lucky. I also didn't buy a Triple Creek saddle when everybody else on the planet did.
seriously just spit some iced tea reading this ^^ 
OP - the only "cool" thing I have is one set of soft rides (that I won) for when I haul long distances and stall on cement, I have had them for three years and they only fit the one horse. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 669
Location: Central Texas | I have alot of the products mentioned but do not use them regularly. That being said, people can use them without already having issues with their horses. Some use them as a preventative or just the feel like it may help prevent issues. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 915
Location: SE KS | Tbred - 2015-09-17 1:39 PM
I don't have any cool stuff
Me neither!!!!! |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| Barrelracingroper12 - 2015-09-17 1:29 PM
Okay, so after reading threads all day i have to ask, am i the only one who doesn't own, PHT magnetic products, BOT products, soft rides ect, ect & not have issues??
Yes my horses see an awesome chiropractor religiously every 3 month, have proper fitting saddle, quality pads, a GREAT farrier & Amazing equine dentist, but i have not had issues with them... I can take them to 3 day barrel races & they're fine without these products... My 1D horse may hit 3 rodeos a weekend and he's fine. Yes they are conditioned & get time off regularly also but i want to know, am i just lucky?
People tell me i need to buy this, i need that to keep my horses sound & going...
What I have learned over the years is everyone's definition of issues are different.
There are so many variables that can cause issues, and some horses don't experience as many variables as others therefore stay sound.
I have also learned not all vets are created equal, nor is their equipment equal. Xray machines are not created equal, I found this out one xray didn't show the spiral fracture, a day later I could even see the fracture on a different xray. As for vets the first vet passed the same horse on the vet check the second vet I sent the xray (poor machine) down to him and just because a bone not directly related to the fracture was out of place, I was told stall rest, and get down ASAP, the next day got the diagnosis. Point if I listened to the first vet, my horse would have snapped his leg in two.
It also depends on the age of the horse, I see more horses start having issues from 6-10 yrs, if your horse is over this age that's awesome.
Some horses just have more heart then others and don't show lameness. I have one who is 23 this yr diagnosed with OA in pastern and coffin on both fronts at age of 6. At the age of 18 a different vet passed him on a vet check, if he would have xrayed he would have seen DJD (when he was 6 he didn't have much cartilage and some spots were bone on bone). At the age of 18 he placed in all but 2 runs in high school rodeo with a girl who never rode him before, in addition to no drugs. He received an oral glucosamine supplement daily.
From the 23 yr old he taught me the most important prevention is a good farrier, so if you are not having problems your farrier is probably doing a good job. I have seen so many horses with contracted heels and owners don't even notice or care. Contracted heels has been proven to cause navicular due to poor blood circulation in the feet.
I do prevention as I ride colts. I want them to last well into their teens. I also want them to pass a vet check with flying colors if I go to sell them.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 477
Location: Lost in the swamps | I have a bot sheet I can tell the difference in my horse, he is recovering from a multitude of issues, bad farrier, sacrum issues. He is much more limber and relaxed after use. I'm also a believer in not keeping heat in the legs so instead of BOT post race. I do Ice and poltice. I believe they are helpful in keeping large muscle soreness at bay. Just like we use heating pads for muscle spams and soreness. But I wouldn't use them on the legs because there is not alot of muscle there.i know arthritic conditions could benefit from heat but I'm currently checking into pht. But yes I currently have an 11 yr old mare we just purchased. She's just on feed and hay, no supplements, no maintenance . Never been injected. And she vet checked clean as a whistle! It's all in what your are willing to do. And what your preference is. We will put the mare on 7 dose series of adequan for joints. But nothing else. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 725
| I Cold Hose, Chiro, and liniment, and do fine! I won all the BOT products this summer, but haven't used them yet because it's been so dang hot and I don't feel right putting hot therapy on anything when it's 100 degrees. I would like some cold therapy stuff. When I get sore myself, I use Ice and it helps a ton, and horses are really no different there. |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| imturnin3 - 2015-09-18 1:40 PM
I have a bot sheet I can tell the difference in my horse, he is recovering from a multitude of issues, bad farrier, sacrum issues. He is much more limber and relaxed after use. I'm also a believer in not keeping heat in the legs so instead of BOT post race. I do Ice and poltice. I believe they are helpful in keeping large muscle soreness at bay. Just like we use heating pads for muscle spams and soreness. But I wouldn't use them on the legs because there is not alot of muscle there.i know arthritic conditions could benefit from heat but I'm currently checking into pht. But yes I currently have an 11 yr old mare we just purchased. She's just on feed and hay, no supplements, no maintenance . Never been injected. And she vet checked clean as a whistle! It's all in what your are willing to do. And what your preference is. We will put the mare on 7 dose series of adequan for joints. But nothing else.
Legs are actually very important to warm up.
You have the deep digital flexor tendon, the extensor tendon, the superficial flexor tendon.
If any of these get damaged it is harder to heal, my vet told me the superficial actually doesn't heal if a chunk is missing, and a graft has to be done.
If the tendons are cool, or iced and the horse is supposed to perform there is an increased chance of the tendon shearing off.
I have used my bot boots in 35 degree Celsius weather, and honestly it doesn't heat up the legs much.
What people are forgetting is blood is continually flowing, the bot reflects heat back into the body which causes vasodilation of the area so more blood can come in, less pressure in the area, and the cellular activity is faster. This means the body can repair itself faster, the white blood cells can remove the dead tissues/proteins etc, and the kidney will flush it out of the system.
Since the blood is continually flowing, the body regulates the temp, the legs temp in my experience (used infrared heat thermometer) think the covered leg was 0.5 Celsius warmer.
I have noticed with bot and thermotex, if there is damage in the covered area, there will be sweat marks in the affected area, if there is no damage, no sweating.
Treated a mare with thermotex the first few treatments she was dripping sweat everywhere, the third treatment, only her shoulders were sweaty, and she was moving much better. The temp outside was the same.
Rule of thumb is for acute injuries ice and compression to prevent inflammation.
For chronic injuries heat, this is where bot comes in especially for suspensory issues. I use it as prevention as well. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1612
Location: Cocoa, Florida | I use my chiropractor religiously, I have also learned a lot of ways to stretch and adjust small areas on my own horses. I massage and use old school Biegle oil baths after workouts or shows. (I use it in a spray bottle mixed with water). Also poltice sometimes
I don't own any magnetics. Not saying I'm against them I just spend money on other things like others said great fitting saddles, saddle pads, splint boots etc.
I'm not sure how effective all those things really are?
(Just read Cheryl's response, great to know!).
Edited by RnRJack 2015-09-18 4:49 PM
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 I Prefer to Live in Fantasy Land
Posts: 64864
Location: In the Hills of Texas | Kind of funny when you talk about not having the expensive stuff but spend all kinds of money on liniments, injections etc. I use PHT bell boots on my horse all the time. I have one pair that is now $100.00 for them so they ended up costing $16.66 per year or $.55 per month. I had one horse that was hard on them and they lasted just a year so that would come down to $8.33 per month.
I have yet to wear out a blanket but I do take very good care of them and keep them clean etc. So in the long run, they give me the most for my dollar.
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 Balance Beam and more...
Posts: 11511
Location: 31 lengths farms | I'm sure if I had the paycheck to afford the bells and whistles I'd probably have the bells and whistles. However I do not so I have more of the old school things, cold hose, massage, stretching, Epsom salt, etc, and they do get hauled in Old Macs. Though I did get my gelding a pair of magnetic boots after he injured his suspensory years ago and I still use them on him during warm up and again after I've cold hose and cooled him out. I do have them Chiro'd or Acupunctured when needed as well as BioScanned. The biggest favor I think we can do them is watching their nutrition and the farrier work ...those two things outweigh the others by a long shot in my mind. Or maybe that is what I tell myself to make myself feel better about the fact they all dont' own their own MagnCu blankets and Soft Rides, LOL!!! |
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 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | I don't have anything really cool except the massager which I love. |
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Am i the only one??