Linda Greenlaw

"Horse Sense with Magnetics"
by, Linda Greelaw

It is my opinion that there are many people out there, that do not believe
Magnetic Therapy works at all, that it is “Snake Oil Medicine” (this comment
from a Professor at an un-named prestigous College). I, for one, knows it
does work, and very well at that, with no side effects; from my own personal
experience.

I am a Champion equestrian, from New England, I have shown Pony Hunters,
Junior Hunters, Green Hunters and Hunter Seat Equitation, winning many
Championships in all these divisions.

I have also worked at one time, as a “working student” at a couple of New
England stables; which afforded me the opportunity to experience how the
Farriers are often treated, and many ways of dealing with many different
problems.

I hate to admit it, but it was not until I had serious, disabling injuries,
that I looked at the treatments for pain, that humans and animals get. As a
matter of fact, some of the drugs given to horses for pain, used to be given
to humans, (Bute for instance) until the medical community started seeing a
lot of birth defects; then they started to give it to Horses for pain,
instead.

I have found through my own discussions with hundreds of Farriers, Vets,
Trainers, Medical Doctors and Ph.D’s; that a simple, common-sense approach to
magnetic therapy on horses, is necessary. Many horse-people want to use
magnetics on their horses.

Their problem has been with the many different claims made about magnetics,
and how to use them. Or, some have spoken to others, and heard some things
about magnetics, and want to know more about this therapy; and why is it
slightly different for horses, compared to humans?

To begin with, as I mentioned above, I have been a Champion equestrian, from
New England, that has become partially disabled (not from horses). I went
through a ‘song and a dance’ with my arrogant Doctor (Thand God they aren't
all that way!), and her long list of anti-inflammatories (or NSAID’s).

I just happen to have an Encyclopedia about prescription drugs; and I would
look up everything she gave me. Wouldnt’ you know it? These NSAID’s were the
same thing horses get; in a different body weight dose. Now I know how the
horses feel!! I had been treated like a horse, by my Doctor!

Soon after that, I decided to put ‘horse sense’ into my own medical care and
physical therapy program (as I was very disillusioned with my Doctors). I
have stopped taking NSAID’s for over three years (going on 5 years in 1999).
I get Acupuncture from and R.N.; I go to a Chiropractor (who uses
Reflexology), and most importantly, I use magnetics, every day. The
difference in the quality of my life, has been like night to day!

Now, I am the kind of horse-lover, that tends to translate from ‘horse’ to
‘people’; you see, horses are people to me! I have found in my own research,
for my own health, that NSAID’s can actually make Arthritic type pain worse,
over long term use.

For me, the NSAID’s knotted my guts so much, it made my back pain worse!
Imagine how this must affect horses that are sensitive to Colic! That can
kill a horse! What also causes me concern, is that the area that knots up on
a horse, is around where you sit when you ride!

I have also found that in both horses and people, most have found faster
healing and greater pain relief with magnetics, (together with above Holistic
treatments) rather than with these drugs and without the side effects!

For the stronger, healthier, un-injured individuals, with no pain; they may
not notice or feel anything! That is because magnetics only do what is
needed, to properly align cells. If there is nothing wrong, the magnetic
will only serve to pull proper nutrients to the area, as well as to serve to
keep the muscles and soft tissue loose. If there is nothing wrong, the
magnetics are neutral (in a non-toxic dose).

Horses, of course, are different from people; we humans can ‘dissipate’ heat
much better than horses (dissipate heat, means we sweat more efficiently).
Also, both horses and humans have red blood cells, with metal in the blood,
that are pulled by the magnets.

Thus, a faster blood flow. Which means the blood vessels open more, removing
toxins from the effected area; while rushing oxygen and nutrients to this
area, as well as more blood flow (for poor circulation conditions).

The stronger the magnetic gauss, the hotter the area will become, with the
stronger blood flow. Therefore, with horses not able to ‘dissipate’ heat, as
well as us humans, horses need extra care in the timing, placement and gauss
strength used.

The hoof in particular, needs extra caution, as it is well known, that horses
cannot tolerate heat or excessive moisture in their hoof; as conditions such
as founder, laminitis and thrush can develop. This simply means you need to
watch the horse's development carefully, use an equine professional and
don't work the horse to a sweat with a high gauss magnet on them.

>From my ‘one-to-one’ research, I have found many Master Farriers, telling me
about their experiences with magnetics and Navicular-type problems. There was
concern about both implanting a magnet into a hole in the hoof; and with the
non-invasive, external use of magnetics, being too strong (or too hot) for
the hoof. There is a common sense solution to putting magnetic therapy on a
horse, especially, around the hoof area.

I worked with Master Farriers, from the very beginning of my magnetic hoof
pad idea, to make the best product possible. The New England Farriers, that
tried my pads on their own horses, told me “it causes the hoof to grow more
RESINOUS”! At first, I did not understand, why these Farriers were excited
about this. After a while, I found out why.

It would be a non-invasive way to correct the dry, cracked hoof problem; sore
heels and many more conditions, with it’s support, shock absorption and low
gauss magnetics. Thanks to Master Farrier, John Blombach’s kind suggestions,
(that I followed to the ‘letter’); my invention’s design, makes
‘Horse-Sense’. (See my LINK about POWER PADS.)

One of the best times to use magnetic therapy on horses, is before or after
riding, or during trucking or handling. On the way to a show, I’m sure your
horse would perform calmer (and more relaxed, or comfortable) and thus, give
you a better performance. I know I feel more relaxed and comfortable, when
I use my magnetics, for my own arthritic pains; than when I must go without
them.

There have been many discussions, on what type of magnetic fields work best;
whether using bi-polar or uni-polar magnetics work best. With bi-polar, you
can use either side of the magnet. With uni-polar, you must be sure NOT to
put the positive (or "South" side) to the pain point.

>From my own research, on my own body, both work very well. As a matter of
fact, ANY non-toxic gauss strength of magnetics will help, to varying
degrees. (I have a chart at the end of this article, which details varying
gauss strengths to use, and some general “rules of thumb”.)

Without testing to prove out this question, and other questions about
magnetics, I feel it is wiser to play it safe, with magnetic gauss strength,
until it all proves out on paper. It has been considered safe to not go too
high in gauss strength.

I have heard of success, with using up to 1290 gauss, on VERY short
treatments. I have also had success, on myself, with my own Bursitis in my
wrists, with the magnetics my invention uses (under 100 gauss).

Below, is a list of DO’s and DON’T’s,
as a “Rule of Thumb” for magnetic use:

Don’ts

Never use magnetics, over an open wound; it will ‘weep’ and bleed more.

Never exercise a horse with a high gauss magnetic on, damage could result, as
in burst capillaries.

Do’s

Leave your low strength magnetics on, and put on the higher strength
magnetics, for a short period of time, per application; then take off the
higher strength magnetics.

Use care in the length of time, and strength of magnetics used.

Work with a professional, when using magnetics; whether a Farrier, a Vet or
other equine care-taker, at least consult one.

Two short treatments a day, before and after riding, are usually plenty.

Good to use while trucking, the horse should arrive calmer, and more
comfortable.

Good to use while working on your horse on the cross-tie, they should be
calmer.

MAGNETICS CHART

LOW STRENGTH Under 100 gauss, magnetic strength
MEDIUM STRENGTH From 100 to 500 gauss, magnetic strength
HIGH STRENGTH From 500 to 800 gauss, magnetic strength
VERY HIGH STRENGTH From 800 to 1290 gauss, magnetic strength

Anything over these strengths, could be very toxic, and harmful to your horse!

For the sake of simplicity and reference, I have put together a list of
magnetic, hoof care, and holistic product companies, most have “800” (U.S.)
numbers. I expect this will be of assistance. For those outside the U.S. -
please eMail me and I will eMail back direct numbers for those outside the
U.S.
____________________________________________________________________

Al’s Tack Supply - a full line of excellent magnetic products and tack [NJ]
(800) 733-8225

Back in the Saddle - trail equipment, holistic supplies and magnetics. [CO]
(800) 865-2478

Equine Enhancement (Me!) - POWER PADS, low gauss, magnetic hoof pads [MA]
greenlaw88@aol.com

Equine Magnetic Therapy - BIOFLEX magnetics, for animals and people [WA]
(800) 731-8463

Equi-Ternatives - magnetics & holistic supplies, for dogs, too! [FL] (800)
257-6777

The Tackeria - Polo equipment and magnetics; have magnetic fetlock rings!
[FL] (800) 882-7656

Keretex Hoof Hardener - by Dr. Rick Redden, DVM, world famous veterinarian
[KY] (606) 873-5543

NIKKEN magnetics distributor - Rita Hand [MA] (978) 470-8019 (she answers all
calls)

Versa-Fit Hoof Pad - A hoof pad that glues a shoe on! Great for broken up
hooves! [NJ] (800) 872-6845

The Wise Old Nag - Endurance, trail, and holistic supplies for Horses, & dogs
and people [CO] (800) 788-5307

If you have any questions, please contact us!

EQUINE ENHANCEMENT PRODUCTS, INC.
Linda Greenlaw, P.O. Box 80401, Stoneham, MA 02180 USA
eMail: greenlaw88@aol.com