A Newbie’s Guide to the Benefits of Horse Solarium's
If you’re new to the world of horse solariums, you might be wondering what all the buzz is about.
Solariums are becoming increasingly popular among equestrian enthusiasts, and for good reason.
These innovative systems provide an array of benefits for horses, from improving muscle recovery to keeping them warm after workouts.
Whether you’re a stable owner or a casual rider, a solarium could be the game-changing tool your horse care routine needs.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know - helping you understand why solariums have become a stable essential for equine health and performance!
What is a Horse Solarium?
A horse solarium is a specialized unit that uses infrared light to provide heat therapy to horses.
It typically consists of multiple infrared bulbs that emit gentle warmth, helping to dry the horse’s coat and warm its muscles.
Often used in professional stables and riding centers, solariums can be installed in any equestrian setting to improve the overall care regimen for horses.
By radiating heat directly onto the horse, solariums are a powerful tool for improving recovery, aiding relaxation, and ensuring horses stay comfortable, especially during colder months or after intense training sessions!
The Importance of Equine Care and Recovery
Taking care of a horse’s muscles and overall well-being is crucial for maintaining optimal performance and health. After strenuous activity or exposure to harsh weather, horses need proper care to avoid injury, stiffness, or stress.
A solarium fits perfectly into this care routine, offering an effective way to soothe tired muscles, dry wet coats, and improve circulation, all while keeping your horse comfortable and calm.
Key Benefits of Adding a Solarium to Your Routine
The benefits of horse solariums go far beyond just warming up a horse. Here’s how they can make a big difference in your horse’s health:
- Improved Muscle Recovery: Infrared light from solariums penetrates deep into the horse's muscles, helping to relax tension, reduce stiffness, and prevent soreness after exercise
- Better Blood Circulation: The warmth from solariums improves blood flow, delivering more oxygen to the muscles and promoting faster recovery and overall health.
- Coat Condition: Regular use of a solarium can lead to a healthier, shinier coat by drying the horse after baths or wet rides and improving skin condition.
- Stress Reduction: Horses naturally relax under the warmth and gentle light of a solarium, which helps reduce anxiety, making it easier to manage and care for them, especially after a long day of training.
- Effective Winter Care: In colder months, horses can become stiff and uncomfortable. A solarium provides much-needed warmth, helping to keep their muscles loose and preventing cold-related stress.
How Horse Solariums Improve Performance
A horse that feels good performs better, plain and simple.
By incorporating solarium sessions into your horse’s routine, you can ensure they are always in top shape, both physically and mentally.
The heat therapy provided by a solarium aids in pre-ride muscle warm-up, ensuring your horse’s muscles are ready to work, reducing the risk of strain or injury.
Post-ride, the solarium helps relax muscles and prevent soreness, speeding up recovery and allowing your horse to be back at its best more quickly.
Using Solariums for Pre- and Post-Exercise
Warming up a horse before exercise is critical to avoiding injuries like muscle pulls or joint strain. The solarium gently warms the horse’s muscles before training, making them more flexible and less prone to damage.
Afterward, the solarium helps the horse cool down, loosening tight muscles and aiding in a faster recovery process.
Incorporating a solarium into both pre- and post-exercise routines is an excellent way to ensure your horse stays healthy, strong, and ready for whatever challenges lie ahead.
And, let’s not forget about our aging and retired horses!
They’ll receive all the same benefits from a solarium as horses who are in active work.
The Role of Horse Solariums in Winter Care
Winter can be tough on horses, especially when they’re exposed to cold temperatures and damp conditions.
During these times, horse solariums become an invaluable tool in your stable.
They provide warmth to dry a horse’s coat after a sweaty or snowy ride, prevent the muscles from becoming stiff, and create a comfortable environment that supports the horse’s overall well-being during the colder months.
A solarium’s infrared heat can also help manage and relieve skin conditions that tend to flare up in winter, such as rain rot or mud fever, by keeping the horse’s coat dry.
Is a Horse Solarium Right for You?
When deciding if a solarium is the right investment for your stable, consider the following questions:
- Does your horse frequently compete or train, requiring extra recovery support?
- Are cold, wet conditions common in your area, leaving your horse damp or uncomfortable?
- Do you want to provide your horse with an extra level of care to improve its overall health?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then a horse solarium is absolutely an ideal addition to your stable!
How to Use a Horse Solarium Safely
While horse solariums provide many benefits, it’s important to use them correctly to avoid overexposure to heat. Here are some safety tips:
- Monitor the Time: Don’t leave your horse under the solarium for too long. Sessions of 10 to 20 minutes are typically sufficient.
- Check the Distance: Adjust the height of the solarium to ensure the bulbs are not too close to the horse’s skin.
- Introduce Gradually: If your horse has never used a solarium, introduce it gradually to allow them to get accustomed to the sensation of heat - let them be unsure at first!
By following these guidelines, you can ensure your horse enjoys all the benefits of the solarium in a safe and comfortable manner. If you’re unsure, our customer service team can help!
Why Quality Matters: Choosing the Right Solarium
Not all horse solariums are created equal, and choosing a high-quality solarium ensures your horse gets the best possible care.You need a product made from durable materials that are easy to maintain and operate.
The quality of the bulbs and the design of the unit will determine how effective and long-lasting your solarium is.
Paddock Blade's Horse Solariums: Your Best Investment
At Paddock Blade, we’re proud to offer a top-of-the-line horse solarium designed with your horse’s health and comfort in mind. Our UK and USA-made solariums are crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum with a durable polyester powder-coated finish.
They’re built to last.
Here’s why Paddock Blade’s horse solariums stand out:
- Advanced Infrared Technology: Featuring 14 high-quality ruby red infrared bulbs that improve circulation and muscle recovery, while being gentle on your horse’s eyes.
- Customizable Comfort: With dimmable lighting, independent fans, and a manual hoist for easy height adjustment, our solariums cater to all horses and stables.
- Energy Efficient: Running at just 2.9kW, our solariums are compatible with domestic electric sockets and cost only 29p per hour on average.
- Safe Design: The enclosed canopy prevents entanglement, even if your horse moves, ensuring their safety during use.
As more riders and stable owners discover the advantages, solariums are quickly becoming an essential part of horse care routines.
If you’re ready to elevate your horse’s care, Paddock Blade’s high-quality solariums are the perfect choice, combining durability, advanced technology, and safety to meet all your needs!
Horse Solariums Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of a horse solarium?
A horse solarium provides infrared heat to a horse’s muscles and skin, aiding in muscle relaxation, improving circulation, drying the coat after exercise or baths, and offering a calming effect. It helps enhance overall equine health and performance, especially during colder months or after intense training sessions.
How often should I use a horse solarium for my horse?
You can use a horse solarium regularly as part of your pre- and post-exercise routine. Most riders use it before riding to warm up muscles and after exercise to relax muscles and aid recovery. Sessions of 10 to 20 minutes are usually enough to provide the desired benefits.
Are horse solariums safe for all horses?
Yes, horse solariums are safe for most horses when used correctly. It's important to adjust the height and duration based on your horse's needs and to monitor the horse during use. For horses new to solariums, start with shorter sessions and gradually increase the duration as they get accustomed to the warmth.
Can solariums be used during winter?
Absolutely! Solariums are especially beneficial during the winter months, as they provide warmth that helps prevent muscle stiffness and dries horses faster after wet rides. This is an excellent way to keep your horse comfortable and healthy during colder weather.
Do horse solariums consume a lot of energy?
No, modern solariums, such as those offered by Paddock Blade, are designed to be energy efficient. Our solarium uses only 2.9kW of power, which means an average cost of just 29p per hour, making it a cost-effective solution for your horse's care.
Can a horse solarium help with skin conditions?
Yes, the infrared heat from a horse solarium can help improve skin health by drying the coat more efficiently and reducing moisture, which is often a contributing factor to skin conditions like rain rot or mud fever. Regular use can help manage and alleviate these issues.
