Equine Solarium Walker - patent pending

Equine SunSwitch is seeking to patent an innovative equine solarium walker.

SunSwitch Limited has filed a UK and European patent application (GB1009599.0) for an equine solarium walker. This innovative development applies heat of the optimum type to penetrate horses’ muscles - namely short wavelength infrared - but crucially delivers it whilst the horse is undergoing walking exercise round a circuit. In this way it combines two important, but usually separate elements of the warm-up process. Furthermore, combining the two warm-up techniques provides a faster warm-up than can be achieved with either - an important consideration where commercially owned horses are concerned.

Heat application during warm-up and cool-down can play a key role in alleviating the symptoms of injury and stress, and prevent it happening in the first place. Specialist equine literature (Lacelles et al 2006) suggests that raising muscle tissue temperature by just 1-2°C is sufficient to be relaxing. Heating by 2.78°C is sufficient to stimulate an increase in metabolic activity, while 3-4°C will increase collagen extensibility. The aim of a warm-up prior to exercising a horse is to increase core temperatures by 0.56°C – 1.12°C (1 - 2°F) and muscle temperature by approximately 2.8°C (5°F).

The Equine Solarium Walker enables this to be achieved in the most time-efficient way, by combining exposure to short wavelength infrared with walking exercise. Many competition yards have washdown bays and hydrotherapy pools.Some have invested in a recent innovation developed by Equine Health Centre Limited, the Seawalker ™, which uses very cold water that has been purified and salinated. In all cases horses need to be dried and returned to their boxes after bathing. This can be time-consuming and difficult to manage, especially in yards where the ratio of horses to handler is high. The drying process needs be achieved as rapidly as possible, not only for expediency, but also for the comfort and health of the horse.

Rapid drying becomes an even greater logistical imperative in the winter months, when ambient temperatures are lower and limited daylight hours condense the time available. The Equine Solarium Walker speeds up the drying process, to the benefit of both horse and handler.

Combining exposure to short wavelength infrared with walking exercise may also be used to aid the acclimatization of competition and breeding stock that have to travel to and from hotter countries.

For further information, please contact Equine SunSwitch on 01424 883344.

© Copyright SunSwitch Ltd. 2011 - all rights reserved.