ALL ABOUT THE EQUIBAND

During Matilda’s rehabilitation, I regularly use the Equiband system, which consists of a saddlepad and two separate lengths of Equiband attached to the saddlepad. What it is

The system uses two bands: one that passes under the abdomen and stimulates the abdominal musculature during locomotion, helping horses recovering from colic surgery, who have poor posture and ‘kissing spines’; and one that passes under the tail behind the horse’s hindquarters and enhances proprioception, to help horses with asymmetrical hind limb movement, poor engagement and poor development of major muscle groups as well as horses recovering from diagnosed musculoskeletal or neurological (EPM) conditions.

How I used it

The latex bands are quite thick and getting the tension right is important, so I ask my physio, Hayley, to help me so that they aren’t too tight or too loose. It does come with instructions of how to do this.

I gradually introduce it as it can be tiring to start with, and I don’t want Matilda to become fatigued. I begin with five minutes and build up to using it during a 20min session over a couple of weeks.

I use it two or three times a week during long-reining and pole work sessions and Hayley comments on how it has helped to build the muscle over Matilda’s hindquarters. I agree that it really has made a big difference.

For more information about the Equiband visit equicoreconcepts.com