Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have a specific exercise program I can use with the Equiband® Pro?
Since the needs of each individual horse varies, we are unable to provide specific exercise and training regimes. The use of the Equiband® Pro System for each horse is at the discretion of the owner, rider, veterinarian and/or equine sports therapist. When determining your horse’s ideal exercise routine, please take a look at the other FAQ below, as it may help guide your program.
Additional Resources:
We offer a free course through our partner, OAES, that includes a detailed discussion of how the Equiband® works, specific and general use cases, and more.
You can also find some more advice for specific conditions on our blog, as well as our social media pages.
How often should I use the Equiband® Pro System?
The Equiband® Pro system is recommended for initial daily use, however, the goal of the system is to reduce use over time to one to two sessions per week as the horse learns to maintain his own core muscular strength.
The Equiband® Pro system recruits muscles that many horses do not recruit naturally. To avoid fatigue and muscle soreness, the system must be used for short periods of time with regular walk/rest breaks during the session. Duration of use can be increased gradually as the musculature strengthens.
Neuromuscular activation is best achieved at the start of a session, particularly during the warm-up phase. Always use the band system at the start of a workout, and remove the bands if necessary.
We typically recommend use of the abdominal band before adding the hindquarter band It is known that neuromuscular adaptation to new exercise takes four to six weeks, and it takes up to three months to gain full strength and condition.
Once the horse is fully conditioned, use of the Equiband® Pro system can be tapered down to weekly or biweekly use for maintenance of core muscle function.
Individual results may vary, and if any gait irregularity is noted, use of the Equiband® Pro system must be ceased immediately and veterinary attention must be sought.
Should I use the abominal band, the hindquarter band, or both?
If using both bands in a workout, you may attach them to the saddle pad in any order. It is up to you as to which band to use first and for how long.
Anecdotal experience dictates that the horses are able to perform better if their abdominal muscles are stimulated and the spinal and lumbopelvic flexion can be maintained prior to hindquarter band use. Because of this, we typically recommend to start with the abdominal band. Many people begin with both at once. Others choose to start with either the hindquarter or abdominal based on individual need.
Should I start with groundwork, or can I ride right away with the Equiband® Pro?
It is up to the user’s discretion on when to incorporate ridden work based on the individual behavioral and physiological response to the system. Many horses become accustomed to the bands quickly and can be ridden with them often in the first session. However, please be aware that the horse will fatigue quicker than normal and your workout length should be shortened accordingly.
How do I adjust the bands to fit my horse?
Band adjustment resources can be found in here: Adjusting your Equiband Pro bands
How do I care for the Equibands®, and how often will I need to replace them?
Always inspect the Equibands® carefully for integrity prior to each use.
- We have found humidity control to be very important for the material integrity and very humid and very dry conditions (as well as extreme cold or heat) should be avoided.
- Use of chemicals on the horse such as fly spray should be avoided – this will cause failure of the bands.
- Please keep the horse clean where the bands will lay, as a small piece of sand or dirt under tension can begin to cause a “weak” spot in the bands that can stretch and weaken with each use.
- Make sure the tension is even around the entire length of the band when on the horse.
- Of course, avoid trauma and sharp objects around the bands.
The lifespan of the bands can vary from horse to horse and with storage conditions, use conditions, tension, climate, etc. They will periodically need replacement when they show signs of wear or damage. This is why we include two pairs with each complete System. Many customers report they can get 6-12 months from each band set with daily use. When it’s time to replace your Equibands®, you can do so here: Additional Equiband® Pro Set
What research has been performed using the Equiband® Pro?
The Equiband® Pro System has been tested and used in multiple independant research studies at veterinary universities worldwide. You can find more details of the research studies that has been conducted with the Equiband® Pro, at our Research page.