Back on Track Review: How Back on Track Equine Products Work
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With so many therapeutic products marketed to horse owners today, it can be challenging to determine which products may actually benefit your horse without draining your wallet.
Back on Track is one of the world's most popular equine therapy brands. Their blankets, boots, and wraps are standard fixtures in the tack rooms of the high-performance barns and international competitions where I worked as a professional groom.
While I have experienced the anecdotal benefits of Back On Track firsthand, I wanted to investigate the research behind their technology to find out exactly how these products support recovery and rehabilitation for equine athletes.
Keep reading to learn more about Back on Track, Welltex technology, far infrared radiation therapy benefits for horses, and my favorite Back on Track equine products.
My Experience With Back on Track
My first introduction to Back on Track came during my time as a working student when nearly all of our competition horses wore Back on Track No Bow Wraps at night. If any older horses went unwrapped, we often noticed fill in their legs the following day, but the Back on Track wraps kept their legs nice and tight.
During the colder months, most of our horses also wore the Back on Track mesh sheet as their stable sheet. The sheet had a noticeable impact on back sore horses by warming up their topline before work and soothing their muscles after.
Back on Track for Horses
Eventually, I discovered that my own young horse also needed extra support for his back due to some less-than-perfect x-rays. Back On Track products played a critical role in keeping his back comfortable while he built the strength necessary to support his spine.
That same young horse also tended to knock himself while playing a little too hard with his friends in the field. Wearing Back on Track quick wraps in his stall during the day often helped reduce small swellings from bumps and bruises on his legs.
When his acrobatics resulted in a soft tissue injury in his hoof, our veterinarian recommended Back on Track bell boots, among other therapies, to support circulation during rehabilitation.
The injury eventually healed beautifully. But did these products contribute to that healing? And how exactly does the unique fabric used by Back on Track support all of the other benefits we see in our horses?
My favorite baby horse in our favorite Back on Track bell boots.
The Science of Back on Track Products
Back on Track was founded by a Swedish doctor interested in the benefits of long-wave thermal radiation as a pain-relieving therapy. By applying principles of ancient Chinese medicine to modern technology, the company developed Welltex, the ceramic textile used in all Back on Track products.
Welltex Technology
The ancient Chinese practice of applying marble to sore muscles soothed pain because all ceramics contain minerals with far infrared radiation emitting properties depending on their temperature. [1] Welltex material uses the same properties to create a therapeutic ceramic textile by melting ceramic powder into the fabric.
This technology allows all Back on Track equine products to use your horse's body heat to reflect far infrared radiation for a therapeutic effect.
Benefits of Far Infrared Radiation for Horses
Infrared is electromagnetic radiation with a longer wavelength and lower frequency than visible light. Far infrared radiation is the longest wavelength on the infrared spectrum and transfers energy in the form of heat. This heat has several notable therapeutic effects. [2]
Pain Relief
Far infrared radiation exposure increases nitric oxide levels in tissues, which activates other molecules that act as pain mediators. [3] This effect uses similar pathways to other pain-relieving drugs without adverse side effects.
Increased Circulation
Nitric oxide also causes vasodilation, a widening of blood vessels that allows increased blood flow. Healthy circulation is vital for healing and muscle tissue oxygenation. [4] This increase in oxygen can support accelerated recovery after exercise, promote muscle building, and reduce muscle fatigue.
Injury Prevention
The same pain mediators activated by nitric oxide also aid muscle relaxation. Tight muscles often contribute to imbalances that can increase strain on opposing muscle groups, resulting in injuries. Compensatory injuries in horses with single-sided lameness are a typical example of this pattern.
Reduced Recovery Time
Researchers have also studied increased rates of healing caused by far-infrared radiation, likely due to bio-stimulation. FIR increases respiratory metabolism, fibroblast proliferation, growth factor production, and collagen synthesis in specific cells. [5] All of these factors are vital for healing injuries in horses.
Back on Track Research Studies
Back on Track's Welltex technology is based on a solid foundation of comprehensive research on far infrared radiation. However, several studies also demonstrate the effectiveness of Back on Track products.
If you're not a former biology nerd like me and have no interest in sifting through the research papers cited above but want to learn more, check out this dissertation on The Effects of Back on Track Rugs on Equine Locomotion.
The study found that using Back on Track therapeutic garments over a four-week experiment significantly improved locomotion in the equine subjects, likely due to the effects of far infrared radiation. It also gives a more detailed explanation of the science behind the products.
How to Use Back on Track Products for Horses
The existing research supports that the far infrared radiation therapy provided by Back on Track products could help horses of all kinds. While increased circulation and biostimulation may promote healing in horses with injuries, every horse can benefit from products that support overall wellness.
Back on Track products are also well made and priced competitively for their quality. While the therapeutic value is their best feature, I've kept returning to their products simply because they are practical items around every barn.
You should introduce Back on Track products gradually. The introduction period allows your horse's body to get used to its effect before leaving them on for extended periods for maximum benefit.
Remember to air dry only when your products are ready to wash, as excessive heat can melt the ceramic fibers.
Why Veterinarians Recommend Back on Track for Horses
As someone used to my vets politely refraining from rolling their eyes every time I asked about the latest alternative therapies for horses, I was struck by how readily my entire care team advocated for Back on Track products.
Unlike other fads that come and go in the equine industry, the science behind Back on Track seems solid. As a result, many veterinarians feel comfortable recommending them because the products are safe and effective.
However, you should always consult your vet to determine if a product is a good fit for your horse.
My Back on Track Equine Review
Here is my review of some of my favorite Back on Track horse products that I use every day.
Back on Track Mesh Sheet Review
The Mesh Sheet is one of Back on Track's best-selling products. Blankets are a perfect way for your horse to benefit from wearing Welltex fabric, as the far infrared radiation is ideal for warming up topline muscles before a ride and soothing them after. This product has significantly influenced my young horse's comfort as he builds strength under the saddle.
I use my Back on Track mesh sheet as a stable sheet during the colder months to maximize the time my horse spends in it. It's not waterproof, and I wouldn't recommend leaving it on in turnout as the material can tear. If my horse has been out in the field, I'll take his turnout blankets off and let him wear the mesh sheet to warm up before I tack up.
Although the name may indicate otherwise, the sheet is pretty warm. Initially, the shoulders were a bit large on my narrow young horse, but the front buckles made it easy to adjust the sizing until he grew into it.
Back on Track Quick Wraps Review
If your horse needs extra leg support when stabled, but you don't want to burden the barn staff with wrapping every day, you need these Back on Track Quick Wraps. They are incredibly convenient, easy to fasten, and stay in place overnight.
The padding inside is very plush and comfortable, while the velcro on the outside is quite sturdy. I also love using these boots for trailering as an alternative to substantial shipping boots. Back on Track quick wraps don't offer the same compression as the no-bows, but the Welltex fabric is still helpful for promoting circulation and limiting fill.
These quick wraps were handy when my young horse kicked himself in the hindleg and gave himself a splint. After that, he wore these boots every day in his stall as part of his care routine and made a full recovery.
Back on Track Therapeutic Bell Boots Review
My horse lived in Back on Track Bell Boots during his rehabilitation from a coffin collateral ligament injury. After asking my vet about a variety of more expensive therapeutic boots, she recommended these as a simple, safe, and effective way to support healthy circulation in his feet.
These Back on Track bell boots are efficient as everyday boots and less expensive than many non-therapeutic brands. My horse wore them in his stall for long periods and never got rubs, and the velcro held up longer than I expected on a young, playful gelding.
I also used these boots for hand walks, but I preferred boots with more coverage for riding and lunging. They worked well with an additional pair of bell boots over the Back on Tracks for turnout, but they're not waterproof and will retain water, so I never used them in wet conditions.
Size down for the best fit as these bell boots run quite wide around the pastern.
Other Back on Track Horse Products
Although I don't personally own these items, many of my friends have other Back on Track products in their collections that they highly recommend. These include the Back on Track Fleece Cooler, Scandic Bandage Pads, Brushing Boots, Back Warmer, Quarter Sheet, and Saddle Pads.
I have also used the Back on Track Hock Boots successfully in the past. And while I'd love to use their turnout rugs, the neck cut is slightly too constricted for my horse. However, I’m curious about trying the Back On Track blanket liners under my other brands of turnout sheets.
The Verdict: Back on Track Review
I already loved Back on Track equine products for their quality, practicality, and effectiveness. But researching the proven science behind their technology has further convinced me why so many veterinary and equestrian professionals recommend this brand.
If you're looking for safe and proven products to support your horse's overall wellness, performance, and recovery without wasting money on fads and snake oil, this brand just might help you get back on track.
References
Liang, J. et al. Performance and application of far infrared rays emitted from rare earth mineral composite materials. J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2008.
Vatansever, F. et al. Far infrared radiation (FIR): its biological effects and medical applications. Photonics Lasers Med. 2013.
Tsai, S. et al. Biological effects and medical applications of infrared radiation. J Photochem Photbiol B. 2018.
Keszler, A. et al. Red/Near Infrared Light Stimulates Release of an Endothelium Dependent Vasodilator and Rescues Vascular Dysfunction in a Diabetes Model. Free Rad Biol Med. 2017.
Hsu, Y. et al. Detecting the limits of the biological effects of far-infrared radiation on epithelial cells. Scientif Rep. 2019.
