What is Equine Functional Electrical Stimulation ( FES ) Therapy?

Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) uses a pulsating electrical current to direct the movement of muscles, tendons and ligaments through the replication of the natural motor nerve impulses. FES has been shown to be the most effective type of electrical stimulation in reducing the stress and strain of training, as well as rehabilitating injuries. FES has produced dramatic improvements in human medicine for over 20 years and has been used in physical therapy, wound healing and spinal cord injury rehabilitation.

What does the horse feel during treatment?

The treatment feels similar to a deep muscle massage. However, not only does the horse feel more relaxed during therapy, the deep muscle movement will release tension in areas that may have been constricted and sore for long periods of time. You will actually see the skeletal muscles of the horse move during treatment.

Which horses can benefit from Functional Electrical Stimulation Therapy?

Horses in serious training, will dramatically benefit from the therapy. Sometimes, these horses will not appear clinically lame, however the rider will feel a lack of willingness and a lower quality in the movement of the horse as training progresses. Horses treated in these early stages of reduced performance will have a lower risk of a more serious overuse or compensation injury.

Horses with acute or chronic injuries involving muscles and joints will also benefit from the therapy. Some old injuries may result in years of muscle tightness and soreness for the horse. The FES therapy will help relieve the tension in these constantly sore muscles resulting in relief and improved performance in the horse.

Swellings in limbs and joints respond very favorably to the FES system and long-term edemas can be significantly reduced or eliminated. Wounds have been shown to heal much more quickly with the use of FES therapy.

How often does the horse need therapy?

The number of treatments necessary will depend on the results desired, the severity of the injury, and how long the injury has been a problem. Injuries usually require a concentrated series of treatments until improvement is observed. Then, maintenance can include therapy once every few months, if necessary. Typically, the first session involves two treatments within 24 to 48 hours. After those 2 initial treatments, a plan can then be established to bring the horse as quickly as possible through their rehabilitation process.

Generally, horses in heavy training and showing, and at peak performance, can benefit from therapy once every few weeks. During strenuous training periods, treating the horse may prevent compensatory problems due to the stress and strain of training.

A typical treatment period is 35-45 minutes.

What can you do to avoid future problems?

To avoid the reoccurrence of the problem, it is best to follow any treatment with a specific series of exercises to strengthen and loosen the appropriate muscles, tendons and ligaments. To do this a biomechanical-based evaluation is offered to support the treatment. This evaluation can include groundwork and/or riding depending on the specific situation and needs of the client. This evaluation is first performed after the initial 2 FES treatments. All horses in all disciplines of riding can benefit from a better understanding of how the biomechanics of the horse effects movement and prevents injury.

Why is Functional Electrical Stimulation the therapy of choice?

The therapy will stimulate muscles 3 to 4 inches below the surface and will loosen and heal the large muscle groups responsible for quality movement. Other stimulation devices, such as TENS and galvanic units, do not penetrate as deeply and only stimulate the more superficial muscles.

FES moves significant amounts of blood and other fluids that accumulate in muscles and tendons due to the normal stress of training, overuse or injury. Galvanic stimulators will increase blood flow but will not be able to penetrate into the deep muscle tissue.

FES therapy will cause skeletal and smooth muscle movement that increases circulation and reduces the discomfort and pain associated with constricted, tight muscles. In comparison, TENS units only relax the superficial skin and muscles of the horse. The lack of penetration of TENS units will not cause deep muscle healing or relaxation.

What does the Functional Electrical Stimulation system look like?

The system is portable and is easily transported. The system is the size of a book and delivers the treatment through electrodes located in an application pad.