Performance & Health Benefits

• Warming Up
• Warming Down
• Sore Muscles
• Stiff Joints
• Increased Circulation
• Improved Lymphatic Drainage
• Stress / Tension

KISSING SPINE (SPINOUS PROCESS IMPINGEMENT) IS WHERE THE LARGE SPINES WHICH STICK UPWARDS FROM THE VERTEBRAE IN THE HORSE’S BACK RUB TOGETHER AND CAUSE LOW GRADE INFLAMMATORY CHANGES IN THE EDGES OF THE BONE WHERE THEY MEET.

Most commonly seen in competition horses due to the demands placed upon them, kissing spine can be mild or severe.

Horses affected from kissing spine may;

• Have a decrease in performance
• Show reluctance to jump
• Demonstrate unpredictable behaviour when being ridden (e.g. bucking, rearing and bolting)
• Become extremely stiff

Some horses with kissing spine are sensitive when touched around the affected area and may feel pain when the girth is tightened.

CAN NIAGARA EQUISSAGE HELP WITH KISSING SPINE?

With regard to Kissing Spine it is important to be aware of the severity of the condition for the particular horse concerned i.e. the exact location of the affected vertebrae and whether the spinal processes are actually overlapping, are just very close or just touching. Your vet will be able to explain this to you. To apply Niagara Equissage without this knowledge could cause considerable discomfort and possibly an extreme reaction. When and how to use Niagara Equissage will depend on the course of treatment the vet prescribes. In the more severe cases, surgery is considered to be the best option, although unfortunately such treatment does not always prove to be successful.

For less severe cases of kissing spine where the administering of anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving drugs is the chosen treatment course, daily use of Equissage can help this condition. This is because Niagara Equissage helps promote good muscle tone (due to improved circulation and the positive effects the deep vibratory massage has) and it is very important in Kissing Spine cases that the muscles of the back are routinely worked into order to be of maximum support.

For the horse that has undergone surgery, then Niagara Equissage comes into its own not only as the perfect physiotherapy tool to aid recovery from the operation itself but also to gently start “working” the muscles long before any rehabilitative ground training work can commence. As the horse will be on box rest for a while, using Niagara Equissage as part of the daily management routine will help guard against other secondary conditions manifesting such as filled legs and stiffness.

APPLICATION

The quicker Niagara Equissage can be used the better to help with post-operative recovery.  However, much will depend on the exact site of the operation as obviously the  Back Pad cannot sit on, or be too close to the surgery site.  If the Back Pad can be used then a setting of 2 will be quite sufficient as treatment must not be too vigiorous.  For kissing spine, use the Back Pad for just 10 minutes twice a day to begin with, gradually increasing to 20-30 minutes if you wish, but do not increase the setting.  The Hand Unit can of course be used on other parts of the body to help prevent stiffness in muscles.  If the Back Pad cannot be used, then use the Hand Unit on the areas of the back which can be treated without interfering with the surgery site.

Once ground work can commence then a higher setting can be used as a warm-up prior to exercise provided the horse doesn’t show any signs of discomfort; then use the lower setting as a warm-down to relax the muscles and guard against stiffness. Apply either side of the spine, not directly along it. The Hand Unit can also be used on the hamstrings and other problem areas an individual may have.

ARTHRITIS IS A CONDITION INVOLVING INFLAMMATION OF A JOINT, USUALLY ACCOMPANIED BY PAIN, SWELLING, AND STIFFNESS.

Depending on the severity a horse may remain completely sound or become extremely stiff.

• Horse Arthritis can occur as a result of;
• Infection
• Trauma
• Degenerative changes
• Metabolic disturbances

Various forms of arthritis exist, for example osteoarthritis.

The inflammation increases the amount of fluid within the joint and usually causes visible swelling in that area. This then causes the horse pain when the joint is flexed. Arthritis in horses is quite a common condition.

CAN NIAGARA EQUISSAGE HELP WITH HORSE ARTHRITIS?

Most definitely.

Depending on the severity of each individual case of horse arthritis and the extent of the associated swelling, your vet may prescribe NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) so that your horse is more comfortable. However it is perfectly safe to use Niagara Equissage alongside such treatment without conflict.

Daily applications of Niagara Equissage will significantly reduce the swelling – naturally – as the deep cycloidal massage reaches all the parts of the body promoting good circulation both of the blood and lymphatic systems. Use of Niagara Equissage also creates warmth within the body and that warmth also helps the healing process of horse arthritis. If your horse has to have NSAIDS, then by using Niagara Equissage you are helping the body more readily eliminate the toxicity such drugs have.

APPLICATION:

Use the Back Pad in conjunction with the Leg Boot if a lower limb joint is affected with arthritis. If possible a twice-daily treatment will be of more benefit especially if the swelling is quite severe; or for use in chronic cases (such as the older horse/pony where generally age has caught up with him) or for general maintenance, then once a day is suitable, preferably prior to exercise if the horse is still in work.

Use the Back Pad for the full 20 minute cycle on a medium setting; if using the Leg Boot as well then 10 minutes is the optimum time for that. If, for example, the hip joint is affected with arthritis, then again use the hand unit in conjunction with the Back Pad for maximum benefit.

Point to Note: If holding the Hand Unit or placing it in the Leg Boot, ensure that the rubber cap is placed against joints – particularly the knee joint – as the vibration against the bones can cause or increase discomfort.