Equiband - Watte?

Do you also love to watch the high level horses with incredible balance, movement, and core stability? And are you wondering how you can help your horse ? 

When you think about these horses, you might not automatically think about the Equiband system. Because that is just for rehab, right?
Wrong! The Equiband system is great for improving your horses’ core muscles, even when your horse is not injured.
Some of the medal-winning horses in the Olympics are regular users of the Equiband and also the Queen's horses in the UK are trained with this system too!

What is it?

If you have never heard of the Equiband before: it is a customized saddle pad with resistance bands designed by a team of veterinarians, physiotherapists, and scientists to optimize the core stability of your horse.

The Equiband works mostly on proprioceptive feedback: the awareness of the movement and position of the body. Due to the material of the resistance bands, it gives optimal stimulation of nerve receptors in the skin. As a result of this stimulation, the abdominal muscles, deep core muscles, and hindquarters muscles are activated. This will improve the stability of the spine and engagement of the hind.

How do I use it?

The Equiband system can be used in training under saddle, lunging, groundwork, and walking in hand. There are also a lot of trotters that use the Equiband on the track.

Because you can use it with almost every type of training, it is easily incorporated into a training program.

It is important to use the Equiband system with the guidance or with a building up period.

You can ask us for help in making a starter program on how to use the Equiband for your horse.

In general, I recommend using the Equiband the first week for a maximum of 3 times, 15 minutes.
It can be increased duration (+5 min per week) or in frequency (+ 1x/ week to max 5x/week).   Of course, your vet or therapist could make a different program for your horse if he may have issues.

Besides the program for the Equiband (frequency, duration, and type of training), it is also crucial that the system is adjusted in the right way and there is a check that your horse reacts correctly. 

When do I use it?

Rehabilitation

After an injury, there can be a loss of core stability or asymmetrical development of core muscles. These muscles do not automatically develop (symmetrically) again and need specific training.
You can already start in the early phase of rehabilitation when only hand-walking is allowed.

For young horses

For young horses, it is vital optimizing their core stability before they are started in ridden work. Increasing muscle strength will take some time, so be sure to start your young horse at least 4-6 weeks before ridden work with lunging, groundwork, and walking in hand with the Equiband. This is especially important for horses that are hypermobile or have a more hollow back-posture.

Taking your time for this process will prevent potential injury due to a lack of core strength to carry the rider.

How or where do I get it?

The Equiband is produced in the United States and distributed to different countries. In Belgium you can find these on our website www.bridleandride.com 

Don't want to buy one yet? 

We also offer them for rental !