When one watches dressage, it is like watching poetry in motion. The horses are elegant, flexible, agile and have a certain flair and finesse in the execution of their discipline. The animals must have excellent conformation to compete at a high level and have a muscle development and carriage quite different from the high-level jumpers, hunters and eventers.

Powerful horses such as the Dutch, Danish, German and Swedish Warmbloods comprise the majority of the breeds within this discipline. However, American Warmbloods, Andalusians, Friesians, Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses perform extremely well at dressage.

Athletic training of these animals places a high level of stress upon their entire anatomy. The back, hips, stifles and hocks have to be free moving and flexible to provide the drive needed for these events. Lateral work such as side passes and bending places a stress upon the chest. Shoulders have to be flexible and move freely. Any soreness or injury to legs that restricts extension is completely unacceptable within this discipline. Collection of the head for a proper set places stress on the muscles within the jaw area and neck until they are capable of handling the training.

Pre-event warm-up of the Dressage horse:

• Application of the therapy blanket, neck appliance and hood approximately three to four hours before the event for a period of at least 60 minutes. Each therapy program is unique to each horse as its warm-up and ability are an individual characteristic.
• The Thermotex™ Infrared Therapy System Leggings should be applied to both the hind limbs and forelimbs for a period of not less than 30 minutes each.
• Application of a set of leggings to both the front and hind legs for 30 minutes before exercise.
• After the animal is warm and supple, stretching and massage work are a great complimentary therapy for these animals.

Maintenance Protocols for the Dressage horse:

These animals need to be maintained at the highest level of fitness and be as comfortable as possible to compete in these events. The following daily guidelines will achieve this goal:

• The animal should receive infrared heat therapy over its entire anatomy for at least 45 minutes before any exercise is initiated. After this therapy is completed, it is essential that the animal be stretched through all the normal range of motion stretches. Massage techniques are applied to any specific areas of stress or soreness.

• After the animal is exercised, cooled out and allowed to relax, a second therapy is initiated with just the blanket to relieve any body soreness that may have occurred from the exercise session. (infrared has an analgesic effect on the patient)

Treatment of any specific disorder should not be initiated until an accurate diagnosis is made. Treatment of muscle soreness is easily accomplished by increasing the treatment time and the number of treatment sessions within a 24 hour period. Specific treatment of a lameness disorder should only be accomplished with the guidance of the attending veterinarian or an accomplished equine physical therapist.

There isn't a single discipline that would not benefit from therapy sessions with the Thermotex™ Infrared Therapy System appliances. Each discipline has its own unique characteristics and stresses but all can benefit from infrared heat therapy. The important fact to remember is:

These appliances provide a safe efficacious infrared heat therapy to the equine athlete. They should be used as often as practical and in as many situations as possible. They only work when they are on the horse and the only time they doen't work is when they are hanging in the tack room.