Are horse magnetic boots worth the investment, and how do they work? If you’ve visited your favourite tack store recently (online or bricks and mortar) you’ll probably have come across a display of horse magnetic boots. And possibly wondered if they actually work? Read on, because we explore the effectiveness of magnetic horse boots, their benefits, proper usage, longevity, and also their potential impact on laminitis. We’ll also look at how to properly maintain them so they last longer. What Is Magnetic Therapy? Magnets in therapeutic devices per se are designed to ‘harness the power of magnet fields’. This can help improve healing and help provide pain relief for a range of conditions. In horses, they are predominantly used to treat leg problems but can also be sewn into rugs for ‘whole’ horse benefits. Magnetic therapy has been around for a while now. About 2000 years ago, evidence suggests the ancient Egyptians were using it as a medical treatment. The idea is that the magnetic field created by the magnets interacts with the iron in our blood. Iron makes up around 4% of our blood – and with the electrical impulses produced by our ions. An ion by the way is an atom that has become electrically charged by the loss (positive ion or cation) or addition (negative ion or anion) of electrons. Do Magnetic Horse Boots Work? Research done over a decade ago does suggest that magnetic forces can contract dilated blood vessels, and conversely, expand contracted blood vessels, thus regularising blood flow through the vessels. This in turn has positive implications for inflammation, which is essentially swelling caused by increased blood flow to an injury site. If an injury doesn’t swell, it heals faster. Based on this type of research, magnetic horse boots should help to regulate blood flow to injured areas and reduce inflammation. This in turn relieves pain. This has also been the experience of horse owners and professionals who have used magnetic horse boots to treat conditions like tendon injuries, arthritis, and other inflammatory leg conditions. What Do Magnetic Bands Do for Horses? Typically magnetic bands are incorporated into the fabric. Depending on the type of boot, these bands are strategically placed to do the most good (providing the boots are correctly fitted). The magnetic forces in the embedded magnets can then work on the blood vessels in the area to reduce inflammation and promote faster healing. How Do You Use Magnetic Horse Boots? Using magnetic horse boots is straightforward. They are similar in design to normal horse boots. If you know how to use those, you’ll know how to use magnetic ones. However, here’s a step by step guide if you’re not sure: Step 1: Get the right size boots for your horse’s legs. Step 2: Position the magnets in the boots over the area that needs to be treated. Step 3: Do the boots up securely as per the manufacturer’s instructions. They should fit snugly without being uncomfortable for the horse. How Long Do Magnetic Boots Last? How long your magnetic boots will last depends on their quality. It will also depend on how often they’re used and how much activity the horse does with them on. If you turn the horse out into a paddock wearing the boots on a daily basis, they won’t last as long as they would if only worn for short periods. Maybe you can use them only whilst the horse is confined to a yard or stable. Nevertheless, good quality magnetic boots are made from tough, durable materials that will last a while, even with regular use. Do Horse Magnetic Boots Help Laminitis? Magnetic bell boots could potentially help improve circulation within the hoof. This may in turn provide some therapeutic benefits for laminitic horses. However, such therapy should be part of an overall treatment and management plan, not a means to an end. Can You Wash them? Although horse boots are usually made from water resistant fabrics such as neoprene (aka wet suit material) or leather, you’ll need to check the manufacturer’s guidelines with respect to cleaning instructions. In most cases, you should be able to wipe them clean with a damp sponge or cloth. Avoid using harsh cleaning chemicals as these could compromise the magnets, and damage the fabric. Key Takeaways About Horse Magnetic Boots Magnetic boots can be a valuable addition to your horse First Aid box as part of an overall management plan for conditions like tendon injuries, arthritic joints and more. They come in various designs to treat specific areas of the horse’s legs. They’re also easy to maintain and use.
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Horse Jewellery For Horse Lovers: Unveiling Meaning and Significance The special beauty of equine jewellery has captivated horse lovers and fashionistas alike. With its blend of symbolism and elegance, horse jewellery is more than just aesthetic. It can also carry profound meanings and special messages for those who wear it. From personalised pieces crafted out of the mane or tail hair of a beloved horse to horse pendants and rings, each item tells a unique story. Horse inspired jewellery comes in different styles and is made from a range of materials like gold, sterling silver, pewter, and stainless steel. Themes range from entire horses to horse heads, horseshoes and horse motifs. They may also feature equestrian logos, or be personalised horse jewellery that holds mane or tail hair of a much-loved equine. Types Of Horse Jewellery Horse jewellery comes in: · Horse rings · Horse necklaces · Horse pendants · Horse earrings · Horse bracelets · Horse brooches · Horse tiepins Each serves different purposes, and can have special significances for the wearer. What Is The Meaning Of Horse Jewellery? Like most jewellery, many of these creations are objects of beauty in their own right. However, horse jewellery can also mean different things to different people, depending on the significance of horses in your life. Nevertheless, universally this type of jewellery is seen to embody the essence of the horse itself, with its qualities of majestic grace, freedom, strength, power, vitality, and beauty. So…when we wear equine jewellery, it serves to remind us, personally, of these qualities. What is the Meaning of a Horse Pendant? Pendant wearing dates back to the ancient practice of wearing talismans or amulets around your neck. In the Stone Age, for example, people often wore talismans like teeth, shells, or stones, to protect the wearer and bring good luck. The practice continued down through the ages to modern times – the ancient Egyptians, Romans, Chinese, Greeks, and most other cultures wore them. Today pendants are both a fashion accessory and a piece of jewellery that has often has special significance for the wearer. They lie close to the heart, so are ideal for things like locks of hair, tiny photos and other special keepsakes. A horse pendant necklace can be a lasting memory of a much-loved horse, or other pet. What is the Meaning of the Horse Ring? Rings are ancient symbols of eternity, power, and authority. The earliest ones discovered to date are from ancient Egypt. A horse ring can symbolise an eternal love for horses. It serves as a reminder of our bond with these majestic creatures. What Does The Gold Horse Pendant Mean? Gold equestrian jewellery, like a gold pendant or ring, adds luxury and opulence to a piece of equine jewellery. After all – gold is a traditional symbol of wealth, prosperity, and success. When combined with the symbolism of a horse motif, it can be a powerful reflection of the wearer’s personal accomplishments and aspirations. Beautiful, bold, expensive, powerful, and glamorous! Horse Hair Horse Necklace Or Horse Bracelet Today it’s common for horse owners to have a special horse necklace or horse bracelet made from the mane or tail hair of a much-loved horse when it passes away. They are tangible reminders of the special bond we had with this particular horse and a physical piece of him or her that stays with us forever. Charm bracelets are another way to celebrate horses. You can hang little horse charms like horseshoes, horse heads, and other horse motifs. It also makes present-buying for you that much easier! These also make excellent children’s presents. Key Takeaways About Horse Jewellery Beyond its aesthetic appeal, equine jewellery can carry profound meanings and messages for horse owners. Each piece of horse jewellery tells a unique story… From personalised pieces made from the mane or tail hair of a beloved horse to elegant pendants, rings, earrings, and bracelets… It even makes good costume jewellery.
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When it comes to horse browbands there is one for every type, size, shape, and colour of horse head. Blingy, bland, black, brown, or even boring…! Indeed, for the new horse owner, choosing the right browband for your horse can be a confusing array of colours, sizes, types, and materials. Which one do you choose, and how do you know which one is right for your horse? Did you know: horse browbands are more than just a functional part of your horse’s bridle! A good browband adds style and personality to your horse’s appearance. In this post, we take a look at the humble browband, an essential part of your horse’s headgear and also possibly the ultimate equine fashion accessory! What Are Horse Browbands And What Is Their Purpose? The browband is the strap that goes across your horse’s forehead, underneath the forelock. It has a large loop on each end for the headpiece (the strap that goes around the back of the head) to thread through. Its job is to keep the top part of the bridle on the horse’s head just behind the ears, and stop it sliding down. However, browbands also offer an ideal opportunity to make a fashion statement, display individuality, and set off the horse’s head. How Do You Measure Your Horse For A Horse Browband? There is a ridge of bone located half way between the horse’s eye and the base of its ear. The browband sits in the gap between this bone and the ear. To measure your horse for a browband, start below the base of the ear (the browband must be long enough to allow the headpiece to sit snugly just below the bulge at the base of the ear) and measure straight across the forehead to the same point on the opposite side of the head. Your measurement includes the loops on each end of the browband. Whatever this measurement is in centimetres (or inches) is the length of the browband you need to get. What Are The Different Types Of Horse Browbands Available? Horse browbands come in various styles so you can choose one based on your preference or what suits your horse. The most common types of browbands include: Leather Browbands The classic browband; timeless, popular, available in different widths, leather colours, and a range of finishes. Popular leather browbands can be flat, rolled, or braided. Padded Browbands These browbands are padded to provide extra comfort for the horse. Zilco Browbands Zilco is made from heavy duty webbing coated in flexible PVC. The harness used in harness racing is usually made from Zilco and some eventers and show jumpers also use Zilco bridles because it’s easy to clean and maintain. These bridles have Zilco browbands. Bling Browbands The ultimate fashion accessory, ‘bling’ browbands come in many styles and colours. From simple ribbon browbands to diamante browbands for an extra bit of bling, these browbands can be colour matched with your favourite showing outfit or toned to suit your horse’s colour. They usually come with matching rosettes for the sidepieces. What Colours Do Horse Browbands Come In? Leather browbands are generally black or a shade of brown. Which you choose depends on your horse. Chestnuts for example look good in brown leather gear, whilst bays suit black. Bling browbands come in as many colours as there are satin or velvet ribbons available to make them from! Typically, they are a combination of 2 or 3 colours, with matching rosettes. They can also have coloured diamantes or beads for added flair. What Are Some Popular Materials Used In Horse Browbands? Most horse browbands, apart from Zilco, start out as a leather browband. Some stay that way (the classic leather browbands) whilst others are covered in satin or velvet ribbon to create bling browbands. Diamantes, beads, and various other materials may then be added to the ribbon to create the super blingy browbands. Can I Customize Or Personalise My Horse Browband? Yes you can. Many browband makers take special orders from clients with respect to colour, shape, patterns, (sharks tooth, squares etc) and added bling like diamantes. How Do You Attach A Horse Browband To A Bridle? Browbands have a loop at each end. The headpiece that goes around behind the ears threads through these loops and is then buckled to the cheek straps on the bridle, keeping the browband firmly in place. How To Clean And Maintain Horse Browbands? How you maintain your browband depends on what it’s made of. Plain leather and padded browbands can be cleaned with leather soap and then conditioned to keep them supple. Velvet and satin ribbon browbands are more difficult to clean so are often worn just at shows and similar events. They can be carefully spot cleaned but usually a gentle wipe over with a soft cloth after every use will help keep them clean. Are There Any Specific Rules Or Regulations For Horse Browbands In Competitions? Some types of competitions recommend horses wear coloured browbands (show hacks and ponies for example) whilst hunter classes require plain leather browbands. Dressage competitors are advised to use plain leather browbands for competition. In pony club competition, competitors often wear browbands in their pony club colours. However, it’s best to check with the governing body for the equestrian sport you’re competing in for specific rules and guidelines about allowable browbands in competition. Key Takeaways About Horse Browbands Horse browbands serve both a functional and aesthetic purpose, keeping the bridle in place while allowing riders to express their style and individuality. Understanding the different materials, sizes, customisation options, and maintenance requirements will help you choose a browband that suits your horse. Generally though the plainer or bigger your horse’s head is, the more subdued your browband should be. Likewise, the more white markings (bling) your horse has, the more understated your browband should be.
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