Here at LERT we are open to trying any means of making the lives of our ponies healthier and happier.

Back in Dec 07, one of our shetlands, Giggsy, sustained an injury to his elbow, tearing the collaterol ligaments deep inside the elbow, which we are informed is quite an uncommon injury. We're not sure how he did it; one moment he was fine and a few minutes later he was brought in lame. He has been on box rest since then and now, 6 months down the line, is still lame but starting to show a marked improvement.

And the reason for his recent improvement, we believe, is the new therapy he is receiving. We are very lucky to currently have an Equissage pony pad on lease from Niagara Equissage that we are treating Giggsy with, giving him daily sessions with the pad, having been shown how to use it by our Area Rep, Dany Cocklin.

Read Giggsy's diary HERE

As you can see, Giggsy enjoys his sessions and doesntmind the pad or the soft noise it makes.

We are also utilising the pads effects on some of our other ponies, and it has been used successfully on young ponies and older ponies alike for various reasons, including locking stilfe/ upwards fixating patella, skeletal strains in one pony who is a bit "disconnected" along his back, and for generally getting ponies used to the feel of the pad on their backs and the noise of the vibration unit (good for clipping and nervous ponies)

	This pony has skeletal problems caused by a growth spurt at a late age. They dont cause him pain but obviously are making the muscles work slightly differently and putting them under strain. His sessions made his back and legs move more freely and generally relaxed him down.
	This pony has severe upward fixating patelle in both hind legs (which looks very painful but isnt) and the vibration of the pad helped his freedom of movement. With this pony we also use the pad as an educational thing - he is only a youngster with not much life experience, and he didnt mind the pad at all.
	This pony has stifle lock in a hind leg caused by foaling at a young age. For her though the pad was a valuble education in getting her used to something on her back ready or being brought into work to help the stifle lock. Considering she has never had anything on her back, she was comletely unfazed by the pad being there.

Of course, there is a more technical side to the way the Equissage range can help not just ill and injured horses, but even those in full health and in full work.

There is a document available by clicking here , and you can visit the Equissage website http://www.equissage.co.uk/ for more information and free demonstrations.