Description
Equilibrium Products Equine Massage Pad
Our horse massaged pad was developed through clinical trials at Myerscough College, UK. Our innovative design provides effective, affordable equine massage therapy and is proven to improve back flexibility and promote relaxation in horses. The Equilibrium Therapy Massage Pad was created in 2007 to help treat a successful ex-racehorse suffering from chronic back pain and sensitivity. Following combined treatment with the Equilibrium Therapy Magnetic Back Pad, the horse made a full recovery and 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, provides coverage from withers to quarters
- Battery operated 30-minute sessions
- Three different, easily adjustable programs that allow you to choose the intensity of the massage
- Perfect before exercise as part of warm up
- Fits a wide range of horses and ponies
- Easy to fit, clean & store with a modern & practical sports holdall
- New high performance battery & universal charger*
- 2 year product warranty
How does the Massage Pad work?
The Equilibrium Therapy Massage Pad has three different settings – high, medium and low – which can be selected easily from the attached controller. This enables you to select the intensity of the program to suit your horse. Each program has three different types of massage – pulsing, vibration and stroking –to ensure all muscles are worked in different ways.
The Equilibrium Therapy Massage Pad can be easily incorporated into your warming up and cooling down routine. The medium setting is ideal to warm up muscles before exercise, the low setting can be used to cool down after work and 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.
The Massage Pad fits an array of horses and ponies so can be easily transferred from horse to horse or pony. It comes in a handy carry bag which makes it ideal for use at home, away. It is easy to store in the tack room and is wipe clean. The bag also has useful storage spots for the battery and charger.
The Equilibrium Therapy 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 hand held Massage Mitt for an all over massage.
When to use Massage Therapy
The Equilibrium Therapy Massage Pad can be used for:
- Horses on box rest to promote blood flow
- After exercise to help with toxin removal
- Before exercise as part of warm up
- At a show to help recover from travelling
- On your horses day off as part of a maintenance programme
- Anytime as a rewarding treatment
Benefits of Massage
Massage therapy has shown to help reduce back stiffness caused by injury and long term chronic conditions such as arthritis. It does this by increasing the blood supply to the affected muscles and removing the build-up of toxins.
Tension is often one of the most common reasons for poor performance and by increasing relaxation and improving back flexibility; the negative effects of tension can be reduced. Relaxed muscles will assist with flexibility and movement in particular for competition horses performing dressage movements and jumping technical fences.
Clinical Trials
As part of our commitment to research and product development, the Equilibrium Therapy Massage Pad was tested by Myerscough College in Lancashire, UK.
The results, following six weeks of testing showed that the massage pad offers significant benefits to working horses, improving back flexibility and promoting relaxation and can show an increase in stride length.
Test Methods
The trial itself consisted of high performance horses where the effects of massage were investigated. Firstly the horses were measured for signs of stress/relaxation immediately before, during and after the application of the massage pads 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.
Back flexibility was assessed using the ‘Arch Dip Test’. The test involves the use of 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, with a more flexible back allowing 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, in order to stimulate 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 source of the pressure. The horses that had used the pad showed a significant improvement in back flexibility of approx 46%.
The horses also had their heart rates monitored. It was shown that the horses wearing the massage pad had their heart rates reduced and maintained a state of relaxation during treatment.
Tip: Combined use of the Equilibrium Therapy Magnetic Back Pad overnight and the Massage Pad once a day can help to maintain a healthy back. Find out what’s best for your horse – Massage, Magnetic or Both?
Do you have an old massage pad that no longer works? We offer a repair service, click here for more details.
Size Guide
While the Equilibrium Therapy Standard Massage Pad will fit the majority of horses and ponies, the Equilibrium Therapy XL Massage Pad is designed especially for the bigger horse, and shaped for broader or long backed horses. 
Benefits of Massage
Massage Therapy, essentially the manipulation of soft tissues, has been noted to aid the prevention of injury, recovery from fatigue, relaxation and increasing mobility. (Hemmings, 2001). Performance depends on freedom of movement, full flexibility and an absence of musculoskeletal pain, all of which can improve with massage (Gellman, 1998). Traditionally massage methods have been manual but with recent advances in technology, electrical modalities have been introduced.
The Benefits Massage Therapy
Massage therapy has been shown to improve flexibility and promote relaxation by lowering horse’s heart rates. Tension is often one of the most common reasons for poor performance in horses and by increasing relaxation and improving back flexibility; the negative effects of tension can be reduced. Like us, most horses can benefit from a massage session but maintaining a healthy back through massage can help prevent performance inhibitors such as stiffness, hollowness, shortened stride length, or in more serious cases napping, bucking and rearing.
Massage therapy stimulates blood flow to the area treated and has a similar effect to the tissue as heat does ie. promoting vasodilatation. Vasodilatation increases blood flow; bringing with it increased oxygen and nutrient supply to the muscle and after exercise this can help with the removal of toxins such as lactic acid.
When to use Massage Therapy
- For horses on box rest to promote blood flow
- After exercise to help with toxin removal
- Before exercise as part of warm up
- At a show to help recover from travelling
- On your horses day off as part of a maintenance programme
- To help alleviate back problems
Have you ever noticed your horse fall asleep through a massage? Here’s why!
One of the well known benefits of massage is that it can reduce stress.
During a massage endorphins are released by the pituitary gland, these are the body’s natural feel good hormones. The release of endorphins suppresses stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline. Endorphins can also have an analgesic effect, reducing the sensation of pain. The reduction of pain leads to a more relaxed state and can attribute to the effect you are seeing.
Another effect of endorphin release is a reduction in blood pressure. Reduced blood pressure suggests a more efficient circulation that is putting less pressure on the cardiovascular system. You are likely to notice longer, deeper breaths and a reduced heart rate. Both of which can make a horse sleepy and more relaxed. Heart rate is an easy parameter to measure to help understand how a horse is reacting to any situation.
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 recover from travelling, on your horses’ day off as part of a maintenance programme
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 travelling 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 this frequently significantly reduced the horses’ heart rates and increased back flexibility. 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 aid 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 enhance the horses’ well being. This was proven in our tests by showing a decrease in heart rate and an increase in back flexibility. 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 Therapy Silver Battery work with my black or navy Equilibrium Therapy Massage Pad?
The new Equilibrium Therapy Silver Battery will work with the older style Equilibrium Therapy Massage Pad (black or navy in colour), however it can only be charged using the NEW Equilibrium Therapy International Charger.
These are available to purchase:
Equilibrium Therapy Silver Battery – £34.95
Equilibrium Therapy International Charger – £24.95
Where can I buy replacement chargers and batteries for the Equilibrium Therapy Massage Pad and Massage Mitt?
Replacement batteries and chargers for the Equilibrium Therapy Massage Pad and Massage Mitt can be ordered & purchased from your local stockist or direct from Equilibrium Products from our online shop. Alternatively, several of our mail order retailers also carry stock of batteries and chargers, see ‘Where to Buy’ section on our home page.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE EQUILIBRIUM THERAPY 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 Therapy International Charger with the Equilibrium Therapy 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 which 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 Therapy Battery (7.4V 2200mAh). For use with Equilibrium Therapy Battery Charger
(Worldwide : Input 100-240V 50-60Hz 0.2A, Output DC 8.4V/400mA )
Delivery Options
Free Shipping for orders over £75 (Excluding Highlands, N. Ireland & Islands) = Free
Economy 2-6 day UK delivery (Excluding Highlands, N. Ireland & Islands) = £3.95
Next working day UK delivery (order before 2pm – excluding Highlands, N. Ireland & Islands) Note: does not include Saturday delivery = £5.95
Over £75 discounted Highlands & Islands delivery (2-3 working days) = £7.95
Over £75 discounted Republic of Ireland (2-3 working days) = £7.95
Highlands & Islands delivery (2-3 working days) = £9.95
Northern Ireland (2-3 working days) = £9.95
Republic of Ireland (2-3 working days) = £9.95
Highlands & Islands <2kg (excluding nutrition) Royal Mail = 3.95
Northern Ireland <2kg (excluding nutrition) Royal Mail =£3.95
Summary of Massage Pad Test Results
Reducing Stiffness
Massage therapy helps to reduce back stiffness caused by injury and long term chronic conditions such as arthritis. It does this by increasing the blood supply to the effected muscles and removing the build up of toxins. Test results 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 treated with the EQUILIBRIUM Therapy Massage Pad had a consistently lower heart rate than those in the control group during the treatment.
Read more on the testing here.
Chloe Swan –
I use this each time before I ride. It really helps to warm my horse up especially in the winter when she is stabled more. I would recommend to anyone.
Emma Sims-Hall (verified owner) –
I have owned my massage pad for just over a month now and I couldn’t be more impressed. My pony has always been tight through her back and quite stressy, the pad sends her to sleep and she appears to utterly enjoy her daily half an hour. She has recently moved yards which has always been a trigger for stress, not this time, I used the pad upon arrival and every day since and she has been relaxed and stress free.
I highly recommend this product, worth the investment with great results.
Becca Owen –
My horses love it, they feel so relaxed and happy, would definitely recommend to friends and colleagues
Holly –
Made a big difference for my pony, after we started putting it on him before shows. Really helped to relax him, without over heating. Nice and easy to store/carry, and fabulous for loosening muscles on the day offs too!
Kate Vickers –
I absolutely love my massage pad. It has so many uses. To warm up a horses back before exercise, to gentle massage the back after work or to help ease muscle tension and stiffness. I have been using mine for years on both my own and my clients horses.
Ella –
Totally worth the money! Uses it every night before I ride to warm and relax her muscles and at shows whilst we are waiting around.
Lizzie Blamire –
I recently purchased your Equilibrium Massage Pad I’m over the moon with it My mare had been compensating through her muscles as we found she was suffering from Caudal Heel Pain With the help of a Top Farrier working with our vet & regular sessions with our Physiotherapist the Massage Pad is working alongside to keep her muscles relaxed and soft before & after work She feels loose & relaxed through her back & I feel that her stride is improving, although it can take time for her muscles to recover from compensating I feel that we are definitely on the right track with her daily sessions Mamiegrey wears in twice a day & loves her sessions, it’s a great piece of kit that’s so easy to use & store tidy away in its bag.
sarah Edworthy (verified owner) –
Brought a massage pad in the bank holiday sale and got a huge discount!
Was so excited when it arrived that I rushed off to the yard to try it on my boy. He has kissing spines so wanted something that would help ease and relax him before I ride. I was shocked at the difference it made to him. He seemed to move a lot Better. It’s been a purchase I will never regret, wouldn’t be without it now. I use it everyday even on my horses days off.
I have to admit at first I was sceptical but after reading other reviews I knew I had to bite the bullet and buy it. I’m so glad I did.
If anyone is thinking about buying one, my advice to you is buy it now! You won’t regret it.
My only down side is the remote cable is a bit shorter than I would like but it’s still very useable. 🙂
Beth Taylor –
The massage pad is a true necessity to my everyday routine and competition days too! • I use it everyday as a maintenance to keep their backs flexible and supple as a preventative!! • It is also very handy whilst plaiting for a show, Mia and pie stand so much better and gets the job done quicker • Before and after exercise and part of their warm up and cool down
• after traveling to help relax them
• especially whilst away at shows to keep them as relaxed as possible whilst stabled for longer than normal
It has 3 different setting low to cool down after exercise, medium to warm up before exercise and high to alleviate back issues by giving a more intense massage. My massage pad came in very handy this weekend when we went to bicton arena for the petplan area festival . With it being pies first away show it was good to help him stay relaxed and keep him supple whilst stabled for longer than usual.. and he pulled his performance out of the bag getting us 67% and 4th at his first area festival!!
Beth and Teddy –
Omg, I genuinely think today was our best ride overall. I usually use medium setting on the pad before riding, but today I put him on a 30 min high beofre I got on and he has never felt any better! I almost cried, he was an absolute angel and was collected the whole time.
Molly A –
We have a yard with 14 horses, we specialise in equine rehabilitation and have our own dressage and eventing horses and ponies. We use the equilibrium massage pad on all of the horses. We find it particularly useful to loosen older horses prior to work and on any sensitive competition horses to warm their back. It’s an essential piece of equine equipment that any yard should have.
Kirsty Manson –
My 30 year old enjoys his Massage Pad everyday, he also enjoys having this on whilst having his pedicure! Can’t thank this pad enough for helping my boy in his veteran years.
rebeledward_eventing –
I love your products! I use the therapy pad on my horse every day without fail 🙂 he loves it and I take it to all my events!!!
Rebekah Adshead –
Love the Equilibrium Massage Pad, I use it routinely on my horses, found it sends my eventer to sleep while plaiting which is very handy! Great value for money and I find it ideal for reducing tension whether it be as part of a warm up/cool down or to help shift any niggly tension/aches that might be from training or being in idiot in the stable/field!! Lovely treat for the oldies as well as the working horses too.
Bethany Sheen –
Equilibrium Massage Therapy Pad Review.
So here is the long awaited review. Now this review can be a 100% reliable review for anyone who is interested. I’ve had and used this massage pad since the 15th of May (almost exactly two months ago).
This pad has been a really game changer for me and my horses. It’s an unbelievably handy product to own and is 110% worth the investment, I promise you that. It has helped with so many issues my horses have had and really made and still continues to make them feel really good about themselves.
I’ll start with my pony Teddy, he’s a chunky little cob with a huge attitude, a real character. He HATES being clipped, he hates the vibrations and the noise (we’ve tried quite clippers too and he flipped). I was a little hesitant and nervous to use it, purely because it being a pad that literally vibrates the body and is actually strapped to him.
What does he do? Stands there like a pro, completely enjoying himself. He was curious and did turn to have a wee look and try to process that he’s weirdly vibrating. Teddy can now go on all three settings no bother. He absolutely LOVES the high setting, he genuinely falls asleep. One day I had to give him a wee nudge as he was literally falling!
I started all the boys on the low setting and just short ten minute sessions, just to make sure they all accepted it, which they did! The massage pad gives you three settings, low, medium and high. Low is recommended for cooling down muscles, medium is more so to help warming up muscles and high is to help alleviate back problems.
The massage pad arrived well packaged, the pad it’s self is wrapped in bubble wrap and the battery and charger are packaged individually in their own little boxes and wrapping. The pad comes in it’s own bag and inside of it, there is little pockets for your charger, battery and little booklet to store safely.
I’d like to also mention how much of an impact this massage pad has been on our new guy Grafite. Gaffy has had a hard past and he’s very much so the biggest stress head you’ll meet. He’s got a lot of issues, biggest being a weak back and stress. The massage had been unbelievably successful for these issues. If Gaffy is stressed, I just chuck the pad on. It relaxes him and calms him down.
The massage pad has really helped with his work. As said previously, he’s got a bit of a weak back. This massage pad along with work has strengthened his back enough that I can now ride him without worrying he’s sore or can’t manage. He gets a twenty minute session on medium before either a lunge session or hack. That will relax him and rule out any stress. He then will give me a good session because of this. I don’t work Gaffy unless he’s had the pad on before hand because he just goes crazy and turns into a stress head.
The massage pad is perfect for a rainy day also. If you are unable to ride, just pop the massage pad on for up to a 30 minute session on whatever setting you’d like. It’s perfect for stressy horses. You can use it on horses who don’t particularly accept being clipped. You can use it to warm up and cool down muscles. You can also use it to help strengthen and improve their muscles. The pad would suit any temperament of horses. I really do recommend.
I’ve never charged the battery and I’ve used this pad roughly 6-8 maybe more times a week and bare in mind I’ve owned it for almost TWO whole months. I’d say the battery life is pretty decent huh? Not to mention the two year warranty that comes with the massage pad! Absolutely brilliant and handy little thing for any horse owner.
Pippa Allen –
Our massage pad is a yard essential and all our our horses love it.
We find it great for relaxing the horses pre and post workout and keeping their muscles supple.
Emma Carragher –
Millie is 20 years old, I have owed her for 16 years and we have been using the Massage Pad and Mitt since 2016. I use my Mitt daily on her neck and shoulder with the Massage Pad, and will always use it as part of our daily routine, they are a fantastic bit of kit.
Rosie Moon –
I use mine everyday for my 148 showjumping pony and it’s helped him so much! He gets a stiff back when he’s been jumping a lot after away shows so we use it everyday to keep him supple. He looks forward to it every evening. Great product and I couldn’t recommend it anymore!
Hayley Ward –
We wouldn’t be without our massage pad we use it before and after sessions and on days off the horses have it on to we feel a massive difference, they come out a lot freeer and ready to work after having the pad on, I feel it also plays a huge part in relaxing them after work 🙂
Linda Anderson (verified owner) –
I was very skeptical about products like this, but on a recommendation, I bought a massage pad when they were on special offer. I use it before I ride and I’m amazed at how much difference it makes; my horse immediately walks out much more freely and my dressage marks are improving! My only comment is that I wish I’d bought the XL pad as my horse is quite long backed and could probably have done with the larger size.