EQUILIBRIUM Therapy® Massage Pad Heatsense

By utilizing our best-selling products (the Hotspot and the Massage Pad), we’ve combined the proven Massage technology with the known benefits of Heat to develop a Therapy Pad for the horses’ back that delivers Massage and Heat.

Heat is a well-known, and commonly used therapy for horses. It is often recommended by therapists for application between treatments. The benefits of Heat are well documented in literature.

These include:
• Maintaining good oxygen supply to muscles
• Encouraging muscle relaxation
• Increasing flexibility and elasticity of tissue

Research states applying heat at temperatures of 40-45°C for 15-30 minutes results in vasodilation, increasing blood flow.

Key Features:

• 10cm longer than XL Massage Pad (90cm).

• 6 motors evenly spaced through pad.

• 3 Massage intensities.

• Targeted, repeatable and reliable heat delivered at 42°C.

• Therapeutic temperature delivered for 15 mins.

• Sensors controlling the heat pads.

• Gel pads that store, and evenly distribute heat - also act as a safety mechanism.

• Elasticated straps for a more secure fit.

• High performance, rechargeable battery

A lightweight and portable massage pad, clinically proven to improve back flexibility and promote relaxation (see trial results).

Contains 1 x Equilibrium Massage Pad, 1 x Equilibrium Bag, 1 x Equilibrium Battery, 1 x Equilibrium International Charger.

Where will the Heat be?

Our professional ambassadors recommend the area behind the saddle as the most effective place for heat therapy, so that‘s where we have put our heat pads. We’ve also spread the motors out to cover more area on the horses’ back.

Safety Features

Safety is the number one priority.

This led to the innovative ‘sensing’ system that makes this heating product so unique (and with a patent pending).

Sensors located between the heat pads and the horses’ skin constantly feedback information to the control hub and determine whether the heat pad should be switched on or off.

As a safety backup, if no information is received from the sensor for any reason, the heat pad will not come on.

How does it work?

• If a horse is already warm in the area, e.g. after exercise or on a very hot day, the heat pads will not turn on.
• Throughout the heat session, once the target temperature of 42°C is reached it will turn off, and will come back on again if it drops below the 42°C mark again. (Think about how your home thermostat might work).
• The heat pads, along with their sensors work independently on the left and right side of the horse.

The Detail

✓2-year Warranty.

✓One size, 14.1hh to 17hh+.

✓10 sessions of Heat and Massage from a fully charged battery, more massage sessions thereafter

✓Safe Usability.

✓Therapeutic Temperatures.

✓Battery Drop Test.

✓Independent Electronics Testing.

✓CE and UKCA conformity:
    ✓EMC
    ✓LVD
    ✓ROHS
    ✓REACH

FAQ’s?

Are the batteries and chargers interchangeable between Massage Pads and Heatsense Pads?

No. The only circumstance that is acceptable is to use a new Heatsense battery with a Massage Pad, but it must be charged with a Heatsense charger.

How many sessions of heat will I get from a fully charged battery?

The high performance Heatsense Battery is capable of delivering up to 10 sessions of effective Heat & Massage therapy. This is equivalent to 5 hours of use. In extreme cold conditions this may reduce to 8 sessions.

Will this product replace the Massage Pad?

No, we think it is important to have a therapy pad available for all budgets.

What is the safety feature if the product is faulty?

The gel pad acts as a safety barrier for any short circuit that any heat element could experience. In the rare event that a heat wire short circuits there is an initial, significant spike in temperature that could cause a small burn. However, in this product the gel pad would absorb the temperature spike and the horse would be none the wiser.

Equilibrium Products Equine Massage Pad

The Equilibrium Horse Massage Pad was developed through clinical trials at Myerscough College, UK. The innovative design provides effective, affordable equine massage. Proven to improve back flexibility and promote relaxation in horses, the Equilibrium Massage Pad was created to help a successful ex-racehorse through the retraining process. Combined with the Equilibrium Magnetic Back Pad, the horse went on to pursue a new career in Endurance!

• Clinically proven to improve back flexibility and promote relaxation (see trial results)
• Shaped to follow the contours of the horse’s back, providing coverage from withers to quarters.
• Battery operated 30-minute sessions.
• Three different, easily adjustable programs allow you to choose the intensity of the massage.
• Perfect before exercise as part of the warm-up.
• Fits a wide range of horses and ponies.
• Easy to fit, clean & store with a modern & practical carry bag.
• High-performance battery & universal charger*.
• 2-year product warranty.

How does the Massage Pad work?

The Equilibrium Massage Pad has three different settings, which can be selected easily from the controller. This allows you to select the intensity of the program to suit your horse. Each program has three types of massage: pulsing, vibration and stroking, which ensures muscles are worked in different ways.

The Equilibrium Massage Pad can be incorporated into your warming up and cooling down routine.

The low setting can be used to cool down after work.
The medium setting is ideal to warm up muscles before exercise.
The high setting for when your horse requires a more intense massage.

Each session will last for 30 minutes however, this can be manually stopped at any time.

It comes in a handy carry bag, which makes it ideal for use at home and away.  It is easy to store in the tack room and can be wiped clean. The bag also has storage spots which can be used for items such as the battery and charger.

The Equilibrium Massage Pad is now the choice of many Olympians, world champions and top producers.

It can be used on its own or in conjunction with the handheld Massage Mitt or the Massage Mitt Hotspot for an all-over massage.

When to use Massage:

The Equilibrium Massage Pad can be used for:

• Horses on box rest to maintain good blood flow
• After exercise to help support recovery
• Before exercising as part of warm-up
• At a show to relax after traveling
• On your horses day off as part of a maintenance program
• Anytime as a reward.  

Benefits of Massage

Massage is well known for its ‘feel good’ factor and has been shown to aid relaxation, and assist with the maintenance of healthy muscle and muscle function. Tension is often one of the most common reasons for poor performance. By increasing relaxation and improving back flexibility, the negative effects of tension can be reduced. A relaxed horse, with relaxed muscles, will move with fluidity and suppleness which is particularly important for competition horses performing dressage movements, and those jumping technical fences.

Clinical Trials

As part of our commitment to research and product development, the Equilibrium Horse Massage Pad was tested by Myerscough College in Lancashire, UK.

The results showed that the massage pad offers significant benefits to working horses, which include improving back flexibility and promoting relaxation, and can show an increase in stride length.

Test Methods

The trial investigated the effects of massage on well-schooled horses. Signs of stress or relaxation were measured immediately before, during, and after the application of the Equilibrium Horse Massage Pad over a six-week period. Secondly, the horses were assessed in terms of flexibility and suppleness. There were two groups of horses – a treated group and a control group.

The ‘Arch Dip Test’ was used to assess back flexibility, which involves pressure stimulus to generate a reflex in the horses’ back. Pressure applied to a specific region in the spinal area results in the horse ‘dipping’ away from the pressure. A more flexible back allows the horse to exhibit a greater ability to dip away from the source of the pressure. The arch test involves the application of pressure to the horses’ midline. This stimulates an upwards arch reflex in the horses’ back away from the source of pressure. Similarly, a more flexible back allows the horse to exhibit a greater ability to arch the back upwards away from the pressure. The horses that had used the pad showed a significant improvement in back flexibility of 46%.

The horses also had their heart rates monitored as a measure of relaxation.

Safety Advice & FAQ

What setting should I use?

Low – Most gentle massage ideal for: box rest and after exercise as a gentle warm down

Medium – General everyday setting for use: before exercise as a warm-up, at a show to help relax after traveling, on your horses’ day off as part of a maintenance program

High – Use for a more intense massage.

All horses are different and you will get to know what your horse enjoys and finds relaxing. Some horses will prefer a gentle massage on the low setting and some may enjoy a more intense massage.

How often does the battery need charging?

The battery will last at least twelve 30 minute massage sessions, however, you may find it does more than this. Charge when the massage feels weaker.

How should the Massage Pad be stored?

Store the Massage Pad somewhere dry and safe inside the sports holdall it comes with. Avoid extreme temperatures to prevent damage to the battery.

Can my horse travel in the Massage Pad?

We do not advise traveling in the massage pad for 2 reasons. The first is that if a horse leans on the Massage Pad on the partition this could damage the massage pad. Secondly, to get the most benefit out of a massage the horse needs to be stood at rest.

How often should I use the Massage Pad to see a difference?

In our clinical trial, the massage pad was used 6 days a week. Using it frequently showed significant improvements in back flexibility and overall relaxation. Therefore we recommend using it at least this often to see the maximum benefits.

Can I use the Massage Pad more than once a day?

Yes, use the massage pad up to 3 times a day. Especially at a competition, you may wish to use it before you ride as a warm-up and in-between phases or rounds.

Should I use it before or after exercise?

You can use it either before or after exercise, or both! Use before exercise as a warm-up, or after exercise to support recovery. Especially if you have worked your horse harder than usual.

I’ve read the massage from a Massage Pad or Massage Mitt isn’t deep enough to affect the horse, is this true?

This is a comment we occasionally see on social media where individuals have misunderstood the purpose of our massage products. The Massage Pad and Massage Mitt were developed to provide a superficial (surface) massage to maintain the horses’ well-being. This was proven in our tests by showing an increase in back flexibility and overall relaxation. The Massage Pad was not developed to replace the manual techniques of a qualified physiotherapist or massage therapist. Only a trained professional should carry out a massage to your horse that is able to reach the deeper muscles.

Will the new Equilibrium Silver Battery work with my black or navy Equilibrium Massage Pad?

The new Equilibrium Silver Battery will work with the older style Equilibrium Massage Pad (black or navy in color), however, it can only be charged using the NEW Equilibrium International Charger.

Where can I buy replacement chargers and batteries for the Equilibrium Massage Pad and Massage Mitt?

Replacement batteries and chargers for the Equilibrium Massage Pad and Massage Mitt can be ordered & purchased from your local stockist or direct from World Equestrian Brands from our online shop. Alternatively, several of our mail order retailers also carry stock of batteries and chargers.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE EQUILIBRIUM BATTERY &
INTERNATIONAL CHARGER

1. This appliance can be used by children aged from 8 years and above and persons with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities or lack of experience and knowledge if they have been given supervision or instruction concerning use of the appliance in a safe way and understand the hazards involved. Children shall not play with the appliance. Cleaning and user maintenance shall not be made by children without supervision.
2. Only use the Equilibrium International Charger with the Equilibrium silver battery.
   Do not use any charger other than that specifically provided for use with the equipment.
3. The International Charger includes 4 plug faces that slide on and off the charger for use in the appropriate country.
4. Only use the charger with the cable fully uncoiled. If the charger is not plugged into the mains but is connected to the battery, the green light will show on the charger – this will drain the battery.
5. Full charge of the battery can take up to 12 hours. The charger indicator light will be red when the battery is charging and green when the battery is fully charged. Do not leave on charge once the battery is fully charged.
6. The external flexible cable of the charger cannot be replaced. If the cable is damaged/the connections to the plugs at either end are damaged, the charger must be disposed of safely and a new one purchased.
7. Do not use any battery other than that specifically provided for use with the equipment. Only use the battery in the application for which it was intended and retain the original product literature for future reference.
8. Disconnect the battery from equipment when not in use to avoid potentially draining the battery. Do not dismantle, shred or open the battery pack.
9. Do not expose the battery pack to heat or fire. Avoid storage in direct sunlight. Do not subject the battery to mechanical shock.
10. Do not short circuit the battery. Do not store the battery haphazardly in a box or drawer where other metal items may short circuit the battery.
11. In the event of the battery leaking, do not allow the liquid to come into contact with the skin or eyes. If contact has been made, wash the affected areas with water and seek medical advice.
12. Dispose of the battery and charger safely in accordance with your country’s regulatory requirements. Equilibrium Battery (7.4V 2200mAh). For use with Equilibrium Battery Charger (Worldwide : Input 100-240V 50-60Hz 0.2A, Output DC 8.4V/400mA )

Summary of Test Results

Increased Flexibility

Massage helps to promote flexibility in healthy muscle tissue, fascia, and other soft tissue fibers. The effects of massage on flexibility can be measured using the ‘Arch Dip’ test to determine the amount of upwards or downwards bend of the horses’ back. Test results from our trials demonstrated an overall improvement in back flexibility of approx. 46%.

Stride Length

The trial showed that the stride length of the Treated horses increased over the period of the test by 12cms whereas the Control group showed little improvement. Horse owners know that a small change in stride length can make a major difference to the way of going in the horse.

Promoting Relaxation

Using a heart rate monitor, horses wearing the EQUILIBRIUM Massage Pad showed an increase in relaxation compared to the horses in the control group.

Read more on the testing here.