One Tool. Three Ways to Support Your Horse.
Equiball combines massage, cryotherapy, and heat therapy in one tool. Use it anytime, anywhere.
When to use it?
Massage Therapy
Massage works by manipulating the soft tissue. Regular massage helps release tension, improve flexibility, boost circulation, and reduce injury risk by keeping muscles supple. Many horses visibly relax during a session — it's also a great way to build trust and connection.
- Long strokes Smooth, single-direction strokes along the muscle fibre — good for starting or finishing a session on the neck, back, gluteals, and hamstrings.
- Circular strokes Small, slow circles over one area — best for larger muscle groups like the neck, shoulders, and hindquarters.
- Cross-fibre strokes Rolled across the grain of the muscle to release a specific knot or tight spot.
Cryotherapy
Cold therapy helps reduce inflammation and ease pain after strain, injury, or hard work. Cooling the area helps flush fluid and waste from the tissue, calm swelling, and soothe sore muscles and skin.
- Chill it Freeze for 2+ hours — stays cold for up to 5 hours. Wipe off any frost before use.
- Keep it moving Roll continuously, never resting on one spot for more than 3 seconds.
Heat Therapy
Heat is ideal for warming muscles before work, easing stiffness, and encouraging circulation to tight areas — as long as they're not currently injured or inflamed.
- Warm it Immerse in hot (not boiling) water for 10–15 minutes — stays warm for up to 1 hour. Temperature-test before use.
- Keep it moving Roll continuously, never resting on one spot for more than 3 seconds.
Fitting Equiball Into Your Horse's Routine
Before exercise - Warm Up & Prepare
When: Approximately 10–15 minutes before exercise
How long: Around 3–5 minutes per key area
Use Equiball as part of your horse's pre-exercise routine to help gently stimulate the muscles and prepare the body for movement.
Areas to consider:
- Neck and shoulder muscles
- Withers and thoracic muscles
- Back and long back muscles
- Gluteal and hindquarter muscles
- Hamstrings and other large muscle groups
Start with gentle pressure and gradually increase as appropriate. Focus on the larger muscle groups rather than applying directly over joints, bones or sensitive areas.
Why use it: A short pre-exercise session can help encourage relaxation, increase awareness of the muscles being used and form part of a consistent warm-up routine.
After exercise - Recovery & Relaxation
When: Once your horse has cooled down and their breathing and heart rate have returned towards normal
How long: Around 5–10 minutes per key area
After exercise, Equiball can become part of your horse's cool-down and recovery routine, helping to relax tired, worked muscles following training or competition.
Areas to consider:
- Shoulders
- Back
- Lumbar area
- Gluteals and hindquarters
- Hamstrings
- Large muscle groups that have worked particularly hard
Use gentle, controlled movements and avoid excessive pressure when muscles are fatigued.
Why use it: Post-exercise massage can provide a relaxing experience and support normal circulation and muscle relaxation as your horse returns to their resting state.
On rest days - Maintenance & Relaxation
When: Any convenient time during the day
How long: Approximately 5–15 minutes
Equiball doesn't have to be reserved for training days. Rest days can provide an opportunity for a gentle maintenance session without adding physical workload.
Areas to consider:
- Neck and shoulders
- Back
- Hindquarters
- Other large muscle groups
Keep the session relaxed and comfortable rather than applying intense pressure.
Why use it: Regular, gentle sessions can form part of a horse's general care routine, providing relaxation and an opportunity to become familiar with positive touch.
After travelling - Relieve Stiffness & Encourage Movement
When: After your horse has settled following a journey
How long: Approximately 5–10 minutes per area
Standing for prolonged periods during transportation can leave horses feeling stiff and uncomfortable. Once your horse has arrived, settled and had an opportunity to move around, Equiball can be incorporated into their post-travel routine.
Areas to consider:
- Neck
- Shoulders
- Back
- Hindquarters
- Large muscle groups
Allow your horse time to settle first and always consider their individual condition following travel.
Why use it: A gentle massage session can help promote relaxation and complement gentle movement following a period of restricted movement during transportation.
During box rest - Support During Restricted Movement
When: As part of the daily care routine, only where appropriate for your horse's condition and with veterinary guidance
How long: Follow your veterinary team's recommendations
When a horse is on box rest, their normal movement is significantly restricted. Equiball may be suitable as part of a carefully managed care routine, but the appropriate areas, pressure and duration will depend entirely on why the horse is on box rest.
Potential areas may include:
- Neck
- Shoulders
- Back
- Hindquarters
Important: Do not use Equiball over an injury, swelling, heat, wounds, surgical sites or areas your veterinarian has advised you not to massage. For horses recovering from injury or surgery, always follow the advice of your vet, physiotherapist or rehabilitation professional.
Why use it: Where appropriate, gentle massage can provide positive stimulation and relaxation during periods when normal movement is restricted.
As a reward - Relaxation & Bonding
When: Anytime
How long: As long as your horse remains comfortable and relaxed
Equiball doesn't always need to have a specific therapeutic purpose. It can simply become an enjoyable part of your horse's daily interaction with you.
Try incorporating a short Equiball session after:
- Grooming
- Training
- Loading practice
- A competition
- A long ride
- A successful training session
- Other positive interactions
Areas to consider:
- Neck
- Shoulder
- Withers
- Back
- Other areas your horse particularly enjoys
Pay attention to your horse's body language. Relaxation, lowering of the head, licking and chewing or seeking out the contact may indicate that they are enjoying the interaction.
Why use it: Making Equiball part of a positive routine can help create a calm, enjoyable interaction and build familiarity and trust between horse and handler.