With its predecessor, the popular Equilibrium Massage Pad, becoming an essential device for many horse owners, the Massage Pad Heatsense builds on that trusted design with even greater benefits. Combining proven massage therapy with the added advantage of heat, it helps support your horse’s muscle health, flexibility, and overall performance, making it an ideal tool for both everyday use and preparation for work or competition.
A recent study looked into the effects of the Equilibrium Massage Pad Heatsense on the shape and dimensions of horses’ backs. Impressively, just a single session showed measurable changes, highlighting how the combination of heat and massage can be a powerful way to prepare muscles for work. When paired with an active warm-up, this can help reduce the risk of injury and optimise performance.
The study was carried out by Jasmine Gutsell from Ivy House Saddlery, who first completed a pilot study before going on to a full trial, assessing horses’ back dimensions before and after using the Massage Pad Heatsense. Jasmine is a horse owner and saddle fitter with a keen interest in optimising welfare and performance.
To find out more, you can watch Equilibrium Products’ webinar or read on to discover insights into:
✅ How the Massage Pad Heatsense compares to traditional warm-ups
✅ The importance of an effective warm-up for performance and comfort
✅ How it can support injury prevention, rehabilitation & older horses
✅ Research-backed results and expert insights
Massage Pad Heatsense Webinar
The below information about the Equiline Massage Pad Heatsense study has been written by Equilibrium Products.
The Heatsense Massage Pad Study
The study involved ten horses aged 10 – 14 years of mixed sex and in regular training. Each horse was subject to two days of data collection. On one day the horses’ back was measured before and after a 30-minute session of massage and heat from the Equilibrium Heatsense. On a separate day, back measurements were taken before and after a standardised lunge session so that the degree of change could be compared.
Measuring the Back:
Saddle fitters regularly measure and record the shape of the horses back at specific points along the spine so they can create a profile of the back. The same method was used in this study. A flexible curve ruler was shaped over the back and the profile transferred to graph paper for analysis.
The Massage Session
The Equilibrium Massage Pad Heatsense has 6 massage motors evenly spread throughout and is also capable of delivering targeted, therapeutic heat to the lumbosacral area (just behind where the saddle would sit). The massage session lasts for half an hour and within that time the pad delivers 15 minutes of consistent heat at 42 degrees Celsius. This is controlled by temperature sensors that continuously feed back to the control panel, switching the heat on and off, acting like a thermostat. For this study the massage was set to a medium intensity, and the heat function was activated.
The Lunge Session
To compare the effects of the Heatsense to the effects of an active warm up, the horses’ backs were also measured (on a separate day) before and after a standardised lunge session. The lunging session involved 10 minutes of walk and 7.5 minutes of trot, performed equally on each rein.
Results
The findings from Jasmine’s study showed that the Equilibrium Massage Pad Heatsense produced statistically significant changes in the shape of the horses’ backs after a single use. The changes in shape are due to the muscles along the back increasing in size due to increased blood circulation and capillary recruitment.
- The average increase in muscle size was positive across all measurement points.
- Most horses showed a consistent increase in size, again, at all measurement points.
- The most prominent enlargement was seen at the “saddle tree point” position (this landmark is three inches from the caudal edge of the scapula and is where the points of the saddle tree align. This is where the saddle angle/ gullet is recorded), with an increase of 37.5 mm at a depth of 13 cm from the back’s dorsal midline.
These results were statistically significant, meaning they were unlikely to have occurred by chance. Although most measurement points showed an increase in size, some showed a decrease. Prior research suggests that these changes could be explained by the dissipation of fluid or the reduction of underlying muscle tension.
Comparison of Massage Pad Heatsense to an Active Warm-Up
There was no statistically significant correlation between the results from the Heatsense and the exercise session (lunging). This suggests that muscles more affected by exercise were not necessarily more influenced by the Heatsense, indicating that the exercise and Heatsense are yielding slightly differing responses for some areas along the back. Data within this research suggests that some muscular areas may be more effectively prepared by use of the Heatsense than the exercise session (lunging).
More research is needed to better understand the relationship between the Heatsense and exercise effects, as well as to explore potential interactions between the two to optimise health and performance.
Conclusion
The study supports the therapeutic potential of the Equilibrium Massage Pad Heatsense. With proven effectiveness in expanding muscle dimensions, the device offers a non-invasive and safe way to prepare a horse’s back for training or competition. Its unique combination of carefully controlled heat and massage provides a comprehensive approach to muscle activation, enhancing blood flow, and supporting recovery.
For equine athletes and leisure horses alike, the Massage Pad Heatsense represents a valuable addition to warm-up and care routines, helping maintain muscle health and potentially reduce the risk of injury.
Will the pad affect saddle fit? No. The pad mimics natural back shape changes that occur during exercise. Saddles should be assessed dynamically to fit both the static and moving back shape.
Is back shape change beneficial? Yes, it shows that muscles are engaged, supporting posture, balance, and overall health.
Why did some muscles decrease in size? Fluid redistribution and muscle relaxation can temporarily reduce muscle size.
Can it replace a warm-up? No, while the pad supports blood flow to the back area, a dynamic warm-up also prepares the rest of the body’s musculoskeletal and neuromuscular system, which is essential for safe exercise.
How was the back measured? Back measurements were taken by an experienced saddle fitter in the same way that they would be for saddle fit. This is done using a flexible curve ruler which is placed across the back at various points along the back, located by bony landmarks.
Ready to give your horse the extra support they deserve? The Massage Pad Heatsense is available in two sizes to ensure the perfect fit, and with a trial option available, you can see the results firsthand before making your decision. Visit our website today to explore the Massage Pad Heatsense and discover how this smart addition to your horse’s routine could help boost comfort, performance, and wellbeing.
