The Performance Horse’s Therapy Tool kit

with Dr. Tracy Turner, DVM

With the proliferation of many non-invasive, drug-free therapies emerging in the equine market, invariably, the question of "What's the difference?" arises from both consumers and licensed medical professionals.

The following comparisons are not meant to be exhaustive or arrive at any medical or scientific conclusion, but to simply illuminate the primary differences among each device, their respective applications and their modalities.

Magnus Magnetica Equine PEMF vs. Magnetic Blankets and Boots

These PEMF therapies are similar. However, the difference is in the delivery process and our technology's ability to actually target and focus the right level of PEMF energy to the specific area of a horse that needs attention. Traditional PEMF blankets deliver a low, consistent level of magnetic energy, which may not be adequate for deep injuries or the larger and denser parts of the equine anatomy.  Also, each PEMF device, fixed to a specific area of the blanket, directly affects the areas beneath the PEMF device. Thus, if a stifle requires treatment, a blanket may cover that area, but the attached PEMF device may not, leaving that area untreated.  

A PEMF field is measured in Gauss, which is a measurement of the strength of the field and how far it emanates from its source. The body's cells need at least 20-30 Gauss in order to initiate cellular repair. Some studies have shown that higher Gauss levels, closer to 100, will create an optimal healing environment.  As a more powerful PEMF can delivery more Gauss at a greater distance from the delivery loop, it can penetrate through denser tissue. It is therefore crucial for PEMF technologies to have the capacity to deliver the proper Gauss level in order to reach an injured or traumatized part of the the equine's anatomy. The fundamental differences are :

  1. A Magnus Magnetica Equine PEMF Device has the potential capacity to identify where a horse might be sore, traumatized or injured because areas of soreness will contract/twitch in a specific manner. The horse may react much differently when that specific area is targeted than when other areas are being targeted.  A Licensed Vet or experienced Technician may recognize this.

  2. Our high-powered Equine PEMF Devices are adjustable, multi-powered devices with multiple frequencies. A Technician has the ability to adjust the Gauss to provide a gentle, but optimal, level of penetration to a specified body part to generate results at an accelerated rate. 

  3.  Our technology includes proprietary delivery loops and accessories that will deliver the optimal level of power to indicated parts of the equine anatomy.  The efficacy of this type of precision increases when areas like abscesses in hooves, acupressure points, necks, poles,  hamstrings, and stifle interiors are targeted for a wide variety of unique equine medical issues from calming points to colic to navicular.

Magnus Magnetica Equine PEMF vs. CytoWave

Excellent Article on Alernative Therapies

Tips for Rehabbing Soft Tissue Injuries in Horses
  1. The Magnus Magnetica Equine PEMF will penetrate up to 16 inches. The CytoWave’s penetration is a nominal 2 inches or less.

  2. The percussive contractions a Magnus Magnetica Equine PEMF creates instantly accelerates the benefits of vasodilation in a manner not possible with CytoWave.  The percussive muscular contractions not only create the mechanical pumping action to increase localized blood flow but may also break up adhesions and scarring deep in bundles of muscle fibers in the affected tissue(s) receiving PEMF applications. This is the reason people share their spectacular results after one application.

  3. Because of the deep penetration of the Magnus Magnetica Equine PEMF Device, cell permeability, production of nitric oxide, increases in cell metabolism and reduction of inflammation are massive in the targeted areas.

  4. The Magnus Magnetica Equine Device's magnetic delivery loops are highly adaptable, flexible and less prone to breakage. The Hoof Pro is the only multi-powered PEMF system capable of sending a PEMF signal directly into and through the frog. No other electrotherapy device has been successfully designed to treat from under the hoof and penetrate that deeply, including CytoWave.

  5.  Online sources report 30-minute CytoWave treatments. But CytoWave does not offer any specific treatment protocols other than “Carefully attach the CW leg wrap on this way or that way”…same with its other treatment applicators.   

  6. According to CytoWave, “This proprietary STS - Electromagnetic treatment method is not PEMF and should not be confused with this older technology.”  (See http://www.cytowave.com/equinetherapy.html) Magnus Magnetica PEMF is not an "older technology."  Our multi-powered/multi-frequency PEMF is a crucial and emerging technology in the field of regenerative medicine during the last 10 years. It continues to be adopted because of its unparalleled ability to quickly address musculoskeletal issues on humans, equines and small animals.

Magnus Magnetica Equine PEMF vs. Laser Treatments

While both the Laser and Magnus Magnetica Equine PEMF applications deliver increased energy to areas of need, the following are the main differences:

  1. The Magnus Magnetica Equine delivery loops have the ability to generate a much wider focal area. Our multipowered PEMF technology can send more magnetic energy deeper into the body while a Laser has a very small focal area of less than an inch.

  2. Because only the injured or traumatized areas will contract/twitch with the use of an EquiPulse, the Technician may be able to locate where a horse is injured or sore. A Laser lacks this capacity ability.

  3. The Magnus Magnetica Equine PEMF can travel up to 16 inches into the equine body. Lasers have a limited penetration of less than 2 inches unless the laser's power is increased, which then increases the potential to damage the cells at the surface. 

  4. Whole body applications can take 30 to 45 minutes with a Magnus Magnetica Equine PEMF System. Because Lasers have a small focal point, it is logistically impossible to treat large areas of the horse anatomy, making a full body application unlikely. 

Magnus Magnetica Equine PEMF vs. Shockwave 

The following are the primary differences to consider:

  1. Magnus Magnetica Equine PEMF may be able to aid in locating where a horse is injured or sore. Shockwave simply targets a specific point. 

  2. Magnus Magnetica Equine PEMF can be applied to the whole body by using the delivery loops. Shockwave can only be done on a specific point, such as the back or legs.

  3. Magnus Magnetica Equine PEMF is non-invasive, and sedation is not required. Horses quickly relax and enjoy the application. Shockwave is invasive and can be painful as it creates energy by high-impact acoustic waves and concussion. 

  4. Because of the potential for damage and required sedation, a Shockwave treatment is generally administered by a licensed veterinarian. 

  5. Magnus Magnetica Equine PEMF can reach up to 16 inches into the body. Shockwave has a maximum penetration of about 4 inches. 

Magnus Magnetica Equine PEMF vs. P3 PEMF

  1. The P3 PEMF Device is similar to the Magnus Magnetica Equine Device in that both devices deliver a PEMF signal to a targeted body part using loop placement.

  2. The P3 Device only has a high voltage setting, resulting in one level of intensity. Magnus Magnetica Equine PEMF has variable intensity settings.

  3. There is only one PEMF delivery loop that is permanently attached to the P3. Magnus Magnetica Equine PEMF has a number of delivery loops that can be switched out based upon the body part being targeted. The P3 delivery loop is stiff and is floated closer to the selected body part being targeted, depending upon the desired intensity. The closer the loop is to the body part being targeted, the greater the intensity and deeper the penetration of the PEMF field. On the other hand, the delivery loops of a Magnus Magnetica Equine Device are soft and pliable and can be comfortably wrapped around the targeted body part. The Technician can easily adjust the intensity and frequency setting on the Magnus Magnetica Equine Device.

  4. Please see comparison EquiPulse Versus P3 - Evaluation table for further comparisons on warranty, training and support.