RESEARCH
The Equiband® Pro System improves stability of the spine during walking and trotting
Findings from studies show that Equiband® Pro has a positive effect on spinal stability in motion (back and pelvis), which is key for optimal athletic performance.
Dynamic stability is the stability of the spine during movement. Two studies have been performed to measure the effect of the Equiband® Pro System on stability of the spine in horses, during walking and trotting exercises. Dynamic stability of the vertebral column is important to reduce risk of pain or injury from hollowing or instability of the back during exercise.
The first study was performed by veterinary scientists at the Royal Veterinary College in the UK. Seven horses that were free from lameness and involved in training and competition at various levels, were recruited for a 4-week exercise program.
The exercise program consisted of fitting the Equiband® Pro System with the abdominal and hindquarter bands at 30% of the maximum tension. All Equiband® Pro exercise was performed at the beginning of the horse’s normal workout session for the indicated time, and exercises emphasized transitions between gaits.
- Week 1: In-hand work with the Equiband® Pro for 5 minutes per day/ 5 days per week prior to the horse’s normal exercise routine
- Week 2: In-hand and ridden work with the Equiband® Pro for 10 minutes per day/5 days per week at the beginning of the horse’s normal exercise routine
- Week 3: In-hand and ridden work with the Equiband® Pro for 20 minutes per day/4 days per week at the beginning of the horse’s normal exercise routine
- Week 4: In-hand and ridden work with the Equiband® Pro for 30 minutes per day/3 days per week
Three-dimensional spinal motion was recorded at the beginning of the study (baseline), and following the 4-week program (final). The measurements were collected with and without the Equiband® Pro, with the horse trotting in-hand and on the lunge. The researchers found that with use of the Equiband® Pro, horses had reduced spinal movements in the wither and mid-thoracic/lumbar regions (the area under and just behind where the saddle would sit). Following the 4-week exercise program, rotational movement in the withers and thoracic region decreased, while dorsoventral (up and down) movement of the thoracic spine increased.
The results of this study indicate that the Equiband® Pro system reduces movement of the spine during trotting exercises, indicating an increase in dynamic stability.
Citation: Pfau, et al. 2017. Effect of a 4-week elastic resistance band training regimen on back kinematics in horses trotting in-hand and on the lunge. Equine Veterinary Journal
Citation: Stenfeldt, Ericson, and Jacobson. 2016. The effect of an elastic resistance band around the hindquarters on equine dorsoventral back kinematics. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica
The Equiband® Pro System improves stability of the spine during walking and trotting
Findings from studies show that Equiband® Pro has a positive effect on spinal stability in motion (back and pelvis), which is key for optimal athletic performance.
Dynamic stability is the stability of the spine during movement. Two studies have been performed to measure the effect of the Equiband® Pro System on stability of the spine in horses, during walking and trotting exercises. Dynamic stability of the vertebral column is important to reduce risk of pain or injury from hollowing or instability of the back during exercise.
The first study was performed by veterinary scientists at the Royal Veterinary College in the UK. Seven horses that were free from lameness and involved in training and competition at various levels, were recruited for a 4-week exercise program.
The exercise program consisted of fitting the Equiband® Pro System with the abdominal and hindquarter bands at 30% of the maximum tension. All Equiband® Pro exercise was performed at the beginning of the horse’s normal workout session for the indicated time, and exercises emphasized transitions between gaits.
- Week 1: In-hand work with the Equiband® Pro for 5 minutes per day/ 5 days per week prior to the horse’s normal exercise routine
- Week 2: In-hand and ridden work with the Equiband® Pro for 10 minutes per day/5 days per week at the beginning of the horse’s normal exercise routine
- Week 3: In-hand and ridden work with the Equiband® Pro for 20 minutes per day/4 days per week at the beginning of the horse’s normal exercise routine
- Week 4: In-hand and ridden work with the Equiband® Pro for 30 minutes per day/3 days per week
Three-dimensional spinal motion was recorded at the beginning of the study (baseline), and following the 4-week program (final). The measurements were collected with and without the Equiband® Pro, with the horse trotting in-hand and on the lunge. The researchers found that with use of the Equiband® Pro, horses had reduced spinal movements in the wither and mid-thoracic/lumbar regions (the area under and just behind where the saddle would sit). Following the 4-week exercise program, rotational movement in the withers and thoracic region decreased, while dorsoventral (up and down) movement of the thoracic spine increased.
The results of this study indicate that the Equiband® Pro system reduces movement of the spine during trotting exercises, indicating an increase in dynamic stability.
Citation: Pfau, et al. 2017. Effect of a 4-week elastic resistance band training regimen on back kinematics in horses trotting in-hand and on the lunge. Equine Veterinary Journal
Citation: Stenfeldt, Ericson, and Jacobson. 2016. The effect of an elastic resistance band around the hindquarters on equine dorsoventral back kinematics. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica
Rehabilitation exercises featuring the Equiband® Pro System strengthen spinal muscles and improve posture in horses
Core strengthening exercises (including handwalking with the Equiband® Pro System) have been shown to strengthen spinal muscles and improve postural stability. This is critical for rehabilitating horses returning back to work and to prevent future injury.
A study performed by veterinary scientists at Colorado State University investigated the effects of a 3-month rehabilitation regimen in lame horses. The regimen included handwalking with the Equiband® Pro System, standing on balance pads, and dynamic mobilization exercises.
The multifidi muscles along the vertebrae of the spine are important for postural stability in horses. It is thought that following periods of inactivity (such as stall rest due to lameness), these muscles can atrophy which leads to reduced stability of the spine and increased postural sway.
This team found that a rehabilitation program strengthened the multifidus muscle along the spine (increase its size) and resulted in increased postural stability (decrease in postural sway) in 12 horses recovering from lameness.
These important finding support core strengthening exercises (including handwalking with the Equiband® Pro System) can strengthen important spinal muscles, improve postural stability. These outcomes are important for returning rehabilitating horses to full exercise and avoiding future injuries.
Citation: Ellis & King. 2020. Relationship between postural stability and paraspinal muscle adaptation in lame horses undergoing rehabilitation. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science
Rehabilitation program featuring the Equiband® Pro System assists with recovery from neurologic dysfunction
Individualized rehabilitation programs (including the Equiband® Pro System) can help horses to recover from neurologic dysfunction.
Following an outbreak of the neurologic disease, equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM), veterinary scientists in Sweden sought to determine the benefit of individualized rehabilitation programs for horse recovering from the disease.
Four horses with severe EHM were hospitalized during the acute phase and recovered. Three months following the outbreak, the horses began a rehabilitation program to return to previous fitness levels.
The rehabilitation programs focused on improving coordination, proprioception, core stability and balance, strength, and conditioning. The methods used included pole work, dynamic stabilization exercises, balance pads, exercise and conditioning, and work with the Equiband® Pro System.
All horses included in the study returned to normal levels of attitude and fitness as determined by their owners by 6-8 months following the outbreak. Within 8-11 months all horses had returned to previous level of activity.
Citation: Ericson & Lassa. 2020. The effects of a 1-year individually adapted rehabilitation programme in horses with neurological dysfunction caused by EHV-1/EHM. Equine Veterinary Journal.
Equiband® Pro resistance bands increase activation of core muscles at the trot
A peer-reviewed study used EMG sensors to show that abdominal and hindquarter Equiband® Pro increase activation of the rectus abdominus muscle in horses at the trot. This confirms that the Equiband® Pro System is a useful addition to athletic training and rehabilitation programs requiring strengthening of core muscles.
Veterinary scientists at the University of Tennessee sought to investigate the effects of the Equiband® Pro System, as well as ground pole exercise on the muscle activation of the rectus abdominus and longissimus dorsi – two muscles critical for core activation and postural stability.
Six horses were fitted with surface electromyography (EMG) sensors, a modified saddle pad to accommodate the sensors, and abdominal and hindquarter Equiband® Pro. The Equiband® Pro were fitted at 25% stretch (bands adjusted to 75% of the distance between the attachment buckles on the saddle pad)
The horses were hand walked and trotted in a straight line under the following conditions:
- Without Equiband® Pro
- Without Equiband® Pro, over ground poles
- With Equiband® Pro
- With Equiband® Pro, over ground poles
As expected, both techniques (ground poles and/or Equiband® Pro) increased muscle activation as measured with the EMG sensors. Specifically, the use of the abdominal and hindquarter Equibands at 25% stretch at the trot resulted in a significant increase in muscle activity of the rectus abdominus muscle. This muscle is critical for maintaining core activation, balance, and posture. These results indicate that the Equiband® Pro System is a useful tool for athletic training and rehabilitation programs requiring strengthening of the core musculature.
Citation: Shaw, et al. 2021. The Effect of Ground Poles and Elastic Resistance Bands on Longissimus Dorsi and Rectus Abdominus Muscle Activity During Equine Walk and Trot. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science.