Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) is the application of computer-regulated electrical impulses to the skin in a waveform that mimics the motor neuron signal the brain sends to the muscle to cause a contraction. It is considered “functional” electrical stimulation because the waveform replicates the normal contraction of the muscles being stimulated, just as if the brain itself had initiated the contraction. It therefore has the ability to treat both muscle spasms and muscle atrophy.

FES feels like a deep muscle massage because the software mimics the electrical signals produced naturally between the brain and the body. FES treatments do not require sedation and horses can be ridden shortly after their treatments in most situations.

FES has major benefits to help a wide variety of horses. Beyond preventative maintenance of the completive horse some of the most common cases include:

Muscle Spasms

Muscle Atrophy

Tendon Strain/Tear

Lumbar & Sacral Pain

Limb Edema

Kissing Spine

Each situation is addressed and treated individually. Protocols vary for each diagnosis provided including differences between a tendon strain and a tendon tear. Case by case protocols facilitate the ability to bring your horse through rehabilitation in the best possible way.

• FES is designed to stimulate motor and sensory nerves.

• FES replicates the body’s own electrical impulse to generate a muscular response.

• FES uses low voltages to obtain deep muscle movement (9-11 Volts).

• FES provides computer-regulated signals, generated by software, for a clean & precise waveform.

• FES uses a balanced-biphasic waveform for stimulation that does not produce ion accumulation.

• TENS is designed to stimulate sensory nerves, not motor nerves.

• TENS sends an impulse to confuse the sensory pathways to “gate” or block the pain sensation.

• TENS produces a strong, stinging sensation if muscle contractions are induced.

• High voltages are required to obtain deep muscle movement (120 Volts).

• TENS uses an unbalanced waveform. Waveform adjustments are necessary to avoid accommodations by the body so that the signal remains effective.

The number of treatments necessary will depend on the results desired, the severity of the injury, and the longevity of the injury.

Injuries usually require a concentrated series of treatments until improvement is observed. Once desired results are observed, then maintenance can include therapy once every few months if necessary.

Typically two treatments are done within 24 to 48 hours. Following those 2 sessions, a plan can then be made to bring the horse through their rehabilitation process as quickly as possible.

Generally, horses in heavy training and showing and those at peak performance can benefit from therapy once every few weeks.

During strenuous training periods, treating the horse may prevent compensatory problems due to the stress and strain of training. Treatment can also maximize the horse's ability to progress through the training.

A typical treatment period is 35-45 minutes.