Magnetic Therapy

Greg Sefton describes himself as an avid equestrian and horse breeder as well as a chemist who has studied the effect of magnetic fields. Sefton says, “I feel we need to take a closer look. Unfortunately the primary source of information on equine magnetic therapy is from the individuals and companies who sell the products. The only published articles I could find were written by representatives of these companies or people who make their living applying them. This makes it very difficult to get an impartial, expert opinion. I believe that these articles should carry a disclaimer from the editor identifying the author as possibly biased. It's a little like asking a barber if you need a haircut…”

Sefton has undertaken a private study to try to verify the claims made by magnetic therapy equipment manufacturers and practitioners, but has been unable to find evidence that the products do anything other than stick to refrigerator doors.

Consequently, in 1998, a group of Australian researchers determined that Sefton is on the right track: (DW Ramey, P Steyn and JL Kirschvink, Effect of Therapeutic Magnetic Wraps on Circulation in the Third Metacarpal Region AAEP Proceedings 1998, Vol. 44 ).

According to the Australian Rural Industries Research and Development Corp, The researchers used 6 horses in a randomized, controlled, double-blind study.

A pair of commercial magnetic wraps were used, but one pad was demagnetized. The wraps were applied to each forelimb in a random fashion and were left in place for 48 hours. The researchers did not know which wrap contained the pad that had been demagnetized.

Blood flow in the cannon bone area was measured before the wrap was applied and after removal. The difference in these blood flow measurements was calculated and the values used to evaluate the effect of wraps A and B.

Upon completion of the study the pads were retested for magnetic field strength and the inactive and magnetized pads were identified. The magnetized pad was evaluated and the field strength was determined to be identical to that at the commencement of the study. To prevent any possibility of incomplete demagnetization, the magnet in pad B had actually been replaced with a Teflon sheet by the third author, without prior knowledge of the first two authors. Teflon is inert and nonmagnetic.

The researchers found no significant difference in blood circulation between the two wrapping methods. They also determined that the magnetic field disappeared at one (1) centimeter distance away from the pad. That implied that there could not possibly be any effect on tissue deeper than 1 Cm from the surface of the magnet. Click here to read the entire article on magnetic therapy.

Gladstone Equine promises that we will advocate only therapies that are supported by real science. Since the only real scientific findings in the region of magnetic therapy indicate that there is no benefit from magnets, we can not recommend Magnetic Therapy for treating your horse's injuries.

Central Virginia’s authorized distributor of the STS-2 Equine Therapy System from Sumerel Therapeutics. To purchase your own system or to schedule an appointment for your horse, Call or email us today – 804.337.7190