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.
