Menu
The article is sponsored by Stallvärme and Finesse Bridles
A bridle that encourages the horse to use both its right and left sides more evenly while moving more freely, thanks to a pressure-relieving and pressure-distributing crown piece that doesn’t press on sensitive nerve pathways. A solarium with far-infrared rays that helps balance the horse and reduces the risk of injuries, especially during warm-up – does it sound like a dream? Yes, but it’s scientifically proven. Read on to learn more about two products developed with the aim of enhancing horse welfare AND tested using "Acoustic Myography," an approach approved for scientific studies and conducted by Associate Professor Adrian Harrison from the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen.
It’s clear that we all want the best for our horses. And it doesn’t get much better than incorporating evidence-based equipment that enhances horses' well-being and performance into daily routines. This is precisely the core of the development behind the far-infrared therapy solariums from Stallvärme and the anatomical bridles with specially developed pressure-relieving and pressure-distributing crownpieces from Finesse Bridles.
Acoustic myography is a non-invasive method for assessing muscle activity during movement. This technique measures the strength of muscle contraction by capturing the low-frequency sounds produced during muscle activity.
D.Phil. Adrian Harrison has worked with acoustic myography for several years and developed Curo®, which means “I care” in Latin. The Curo® sensors, which are wireless and weigh only 11 grams, quickly measure which muscles the horse isn’t using, allowing veterinarians to identify the actual problem faster. Muscles play a crucial role, and if they are strained or damaged, the horse can become lame. When veterinarians examine horses, they often focus on joints, tendons, and ligaments, but sometimes they find nothing amiss.
“I’ve seen horses that may have a strained muscle and visibly appear out of sync with a hind leg. That’s when the investigation begins to find the cause of the issue—often without any problem found in the hind leg itself. Horses are masters at compensating for injuries, which makes it difficult for veterinarians to pinpoint the actual source of the problem.”
The measurement results provide an exceptional foundation for assessing muscle performance while also revealing the effects of nerve impulses they’re exposed to. By measuring the horse’s muscles, both movement symmetry and coordination can be monitored, and any signs of fatigue detected. Fatigued muscles carry a significantly higher risk of joint and tendon injuries.
In the studies, specific muscles are selected, observed, and data recorded using electrodes attached to the horse. Minor muscle overloads, defined as "Pain-strikes," are noted.
For the Stallvärme FIR therapy solariums conducted by D.Phil. Adrian Harrison, the focus has been on the large back muscle, Longissimus dorsi, and the hindquarter muscle, Gluteus medius. Together, these muscles form a substantial part of the horse's topline, which should be supple and strong. With correct training, these muscles develop the horse’s strength and help maintain the locomotor system in a healthy, balanced way. This contributes to increasing the horse’s physical strength and endurance while minimizing the risk of injuries, such as overstrain or improper load.
It’s no surprise to most that FIR light therapy offers many benefits, but the sheer extent of its advantages—and the possibility that we’ve only seen a fraction—may be unexpected. FIR radiation is widely recognized for penetrating the skin and reaching underlying tissues (approximately 4 cm deep), impacting muscles, blood vessels, lymph glands, and nerves.
READ ALSO: Alternative therapies - what is what?
Swedish Stallvärme has developed its own unique light panels in Europe. Their solariums are far more than simple units that merely warm the muscles. These panels emit far-infrared light that helps prepare muscles, particularly along the horse’s topline, before training by increasing blood circulation, reducing muscle tension, and promoting relaxation. Far-infrared therapy can also be used post-training to aid recovery, reduce muscle soreness and inflammation, and improve overall wellness. Incorporating an FIR therapy solarium into the horse’s warm-up routine provides an effective and gentle wellness treatment that supports both performance and reduces injury risk.
A study led by Adrian Harrison tests the effects of using the FIR Therapy solarium from Swedish Stallvärme.
Stallvärme’s solariums use far-infrared radiation (a type of electromagnetic radiation) with a wavelength longer than visible light but shorter than microwaves. The system is also adjustable, with panels that can be positioned around the horse and treatment durations that can be customized. FIR, classified within the radiant heat spectrum, is documented to penetrate deeper into tissues and cells, offering a range of therapeutic benefits.
Half of the horses selected for the trial were warmed up through regular riding, while the other half received a 30-minute treatment under a Stallvärme FIR Therapy Solarium. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Stallvärme FIR Therapy Solarium in optimizing the horses’ warm-up routines and enhancing their overall performance. The results provide solid evidence of the benefits of this groundbreaking technology in equine wellness and welfare.
“The results of this study, the first of its kind, demonstrate the significant benefits of the Stallvärme FIR Therapy Solarium in equine welfare.”
Associate Professor Adrian Harrison
The horses that received treatment under a Stallvärme Therapy Solarium before riding demonstrated noticeably better muscle balance, particularly in the symmetry of their muscle engagement. Horses that typically displayed a weaker side during their regular warm-up showed significantly greater balance and flexibility from the start. The 30-minute FIR solarium session had a particularly pronounced effect on the slightly older horses before riding. Measurements of the Longissimus dorsi and Gluteus medius muscles indicated that horses warmed up for 30 minutes under the therapy solarium achieved an almost perfect balance value from the beginning of the warm-up and maintained it throughout the following 15-minute training session. In comparison, the same 15-minute warm-up without the FIR therapy solarium showed a clear imbalance in both muscles, which improved over time but remained outside the perfect balance range.
It benefits everyone—not least the horses—if we can clearly reduce the risk of injuries during warm-up by lessening muscle strain. There are numerous obvious advantages to FIR therapy, along with opportunities to incorporate this innovative technology into equine wellness and welfare routines, both before and after training.
Stallvärme's therapy solariums are available for both purchase and lease. They can be equipped with a compatible "Pay'n Go" system, allowing activation through payments via credit card, Apple Pay, and other methods.
Understanding the horse's anatomy and sensitive areas, Helle Dueholm, founder of Finesse Bridles, aimed to develop a bridle that addresses these considerations. The bridle, along with the saddle, is among the most frequently used equipment by riders. The realization that traditional bridles might cause discomfort or even harm to the horse led to the conception of a new and improved ergonomic bridle. This bridle not only ensures optimal comfort for the horse but also avoids pressure on generally sensitive points.
The Finesse bridle is designed with the horse’s comfort and well-being in focus, offering a unique approach that sets it apart from traditional bridles.
Pressure Distribution: Horses have approximately 5 cm of muscle mass in the neck before reaching bones and joints, making it essential to care for these muscles, tissues, and nerves. Finesse® bridles are engineered to evenly distribute pressure across the horse's neck, protecting the large facial nerve (Facialis) where it emerges from the skull. Read further down the article to learn why this facial nerve is so important for our horses.
Unlike traditional bridles, which can place pressure on specific areas of the neck, restricting blood flow and pressing on the facial nerve with buckles and similar elements, Finesse Bridles are designed to relieve and balance pressure on the muscles. This promotes better blood circulation, helping muscles receive the oxygen they need as the horse works. In this way, discomfort is minimized, and the risk of pain or soreness is significantly reduced.
Innovative Padding: The padding technology in Finesse Bridles is inspired by materials used in hospital beds for bedridden patients to maintain blood flow and prevent pressure sores. The padding is crafted from a specially designed fiber material that allows blood circulation in areas where it contacts the horse’s body, enhancing overall comfort.
If you've ever tried walking in shoes that are too small or tied too tightly, or worn sunglasses or glasses that press painfully behind your ears, then you have a glimpse of what it's like for a horse being ridden with a bridle that applies unnecessary pressure to the neck.
Also known as the seventh cranial nerve, this nerve is located in the horse’s face. It begins in the brain, travels through the skull, and emerges near the jaw joint. The facial nerve has multiple branches that supply various parts of the face, including the muscles responsible for facial expressions and the sensitive areas around the eyes, nose, and lips. The facial nerve is essential for the horse’s ability to move its face and express emotions, and it also plays a role in taste sensation.
This ligament originates just behind the horse’s ears and extends from the head down the neck and along the spine, helping to support the head and neck. Its crucial function is to stabilize the horse's head position during movement and under load, while also allowing for a degree of flexibility. The nuchal ligament is particularly important for the horse’s balance and movement. However, this is also the area where halters and bridles sit, which can create challenges.
When tension develops in this area, it can have far-reaching effects on the horse’s entire body. Although the issue starts in the neck, the horse may experience pain and discomfort in other areas, such as the hips. This can impact the entire musculoskeletal system, as nerve tension can spread through muscles and joints. Therefore, it’s essential to pay attention to this area and ensure that halters and bridles do not apply unnecessary pressure, ideally opting for designs that are as ergonomic as possible.
Many pieces of riding equipment are marketed with promises of improved performance. However, these claims are often unproven and lack scientific backing. Poorly designed and fitted equipment can cause physiological stress reactions in horses and compromise animal welfare. In general, limited research has been conducted on the sensitivity of equine tissues, including muscles, to pressure, as well as the long-term consequences of poorly fitting equipment and the risk of tissue damage.
This study was therefore conducted using acoustic myography to document the impact and test the effectiveness of specially designed and anatomically fitted bridles on the horse’s muscle function and performance.
Hypothesis:
An ergonomic bridle, such as the Finesse bridle, results in fewer muscle spikes (indicators of pressure discomfort) and more stable patterns in muscle performance during training compared to a standard bridle.
In the study with Finesse Bridles, the focus was on the neck muscles Brachiocephalicus and Splenius, analyzed through acoustic myography. These muscles are part of the larger muscle groups responsible for head and neck movement, with the Brachiocephalicus also playing a role in the forward movement of the forelimb. Both are involved in myofascial kinetic lines that impact the horse’s entire movement.
The results showed a significant improvement in muscle performance and fewer muscle spikes when riding with an anatomically designed bridle compared to a traditional bridle. Eight Icelandic horses were ridden over two days by the same rider, alternating between a traditional non-anatomical bridle and an anatomical Finesse bridle with a specially designed pressure-relieving headpiece. The findings revealed statistically significant improvements in muscle performance, assessed by both the consistency of measurements at each speed and the number of strong, transient muscle contractions (spikes) for the anatomically designed bridle compared to the standard one. The study concluded that the effects of anatomical bridles are measurable not only in the horse’s neck muscles but also seem to positively impact overall muscle performance. Both data, which showed visibly fewer pain spikes, and the rider's assessment indicated that riding with an ergonomic bridle provided significantly greater freedom of movement and, consequently, improved performance.
Bridles are used to control and manage horses by applying pressure to sensitive areas on the horse’s head. This pressure is then released once the correction is achieved. However, if this regulating pressure is not effectively relieved but instead remains due to the design of the bridle, negative effects can arise.
These are all positive responses that Helle has received from riders, both amateur and professional, around the world since Finesse Bridles began nearly five years ago.
American veterinarian Cooper Williams, specializing in equine sports medicine, has observed remarkable improvements in his patients when using Finesse bridles. He believes these bridles can play a significant role in helping injured horses return to form more quickly. Williams is not alone in his view—many of his clients have provided positive feedback, reporting a noticeable difference in their horses' comfort and performance when using Finesse bridles. In horse rehabilitation, even small adjustments in equipment can have a substantial impact.
When veterinarian Cooper Williams and his colleague, Dr. Phil. Adrian Harrison, presented their findings confirming the positive effects of Finesse Bridles, Helle Dueholm was deeply moved to hear about the tangible results. She feels honored by the entire professional team that has worked intensively to prove her hypothesis.
Gathering scientific evidence in this field is no simple task. Many factors must be coordinated and controlled, and the equipment must be precise and suitable for delivering credible results. The work with acoustic myography has been thorough and well-considered, deserving great recognition.
Research in modern equine sports medicine is not only about treating injuries but also about enhancing the horse’s overall well-being through innovative and well-considered products. The future of riding equipment is moving toward a holistic approach, where scientific research, rider experience, and the horse’s needs are combined to create groundbreaking solutions.
For riders and veterinarians worldwide, this is a call to take responsibility and choose equipment that prioritizes the horse’s needs. Caring for a horse is not just a sporting activity but an ethical duty that requires commitment, knowledge, and respect for the animal.
Whether our horses are performing as top athletes on a professional level or being ridden for pleasure, their welfare and comfort should be the highest priority, and our foremost duty is to create optimal conditions for both aspects.
READ ALSO: Jaw joint: how It affects the horse's balance, movement, and digestion
Sources:
