A gentle massage alongside WINBACK TECAR Therapy can help your horse perform at its best
- kirstenmbinnie
- May 2
- 6 min read
Christine Wallace runs EquiElite Services and holds an Equine Sports Massage Therapist Certificate in Equine Behaviour and Psychology and is fully insured.
She has an Award in Utilising Photobiomodulation with LED devices for Animal Practitioners and is a member of IAAT - International Association of Animal Therapists.
She writes for The Equine Times on the this gentle treatment wich can be combined with massage to ensure your horse reaches its potential.
WINBACK – BETTER – FASTER - GENTLER
By Christine Wallis
I’ve always been fascinated by equestrian sport and that passion naturally led me to explore every possible way to improve my horses’ wellbeing and performance.
As an amateur rider who loves competing my horses in British Dressage, I’m committed to making sure they stay in the best health and feel their absolute best, both at home and in training.
That curiosity and the desire to give my horses the best care possible, eventually guided me towards becoming a fully qualified Equine Sports Massage Therapist.
I have now added Winback TECAR Therapy to my skill set, integrating a combination of multi-frequency TECAR, TENS & EMS into my treatments.
Winback is used by professional human athletes worldwide and this is a fabulous addition to equine welfare and therapy.
WINBACK TECAR Therapy isn’t designed to replace hands-on work, it’s designed to enhance it.
When combined with traditional manual techniques like massage, myofascial release and stretching, TECAR therapy not only reduces recovery times, but it also reduces pain and increases contraction rate; this helps therapists achieve deeper, faster and longer-lasting results.
The two approaches work beautifully together because they support each other’s strengths, supporting — not replacing — traditional methods.
Winback Tecar Therapy is non-invasive and non-sedative, allowing us as therapists to receive tactile feedback from the patient during treatment.
I’ve built my equine career on a simple principle: I care for every horse as if it were my own.
That standard guides every decision I make.
So, when I began exploring new technology for equine therapy, I knew I needed something I’d feel completely confident using on my own horse first. Only then would I consider offering it to my clients …
Why Hands-On Equine Therapy Is Important
Treating muscular issues in horses isn’t just about making them feel good, it involves working with complex anatomy and powerful muscles, along with subtle signs of pain or dysfunction.
That’s why it’s essential that anyone offering treatment is properly trained, qualified and working within a professional framework.
With so many new wellness devices on the market as horse owners, we have a responsibility to ensure that anyone working with our horses, whether through manual therapy or advanced technology is properly trained, qualified and registered with a professional body to do so.
Equine therapy involves far more than simply applying techniques; it requires a deep understanding of anatomy, biomechanics, behaviour and the safe, appropriate use of any therapeutic equipment.
When therapists are fully trained and knowledgeable about the technology they use, they can apply it safely, effectively and with the horse’s best interests at the centre of every decision
This level of professionalism not only protects the horse, but also gives owners’ confidence that their animal is receiving the highest standard of care.
Hands on equine therapy plays a vital role in supporting a horse’s physical health, comfort and overall performance.
Horses are powerful athletes, but they are also incredibly sensitive animals whose bodies respond quickly to tension, imbalance and strain. Hands-on therapies such as massage, myofascial release, stretching and manual mobilisation allow therapists to work directly with the horse’s soft tissues, providing benefits that go far beyond simple relaxation.
One of the greatest strengths of hands-on therapy is the ability to feel what the horse’s body is telling us. Skilled therapists can detect subtle changes in:
• Muscle tone
• Heat or swelling
• Areas of tension or restriction
• Asymmetry or compensation
• Sensitivity or discomfort
Being able to recognise subtle changes in movement, behaviour or muscle tone can significantly influence the outcome of their treatment. Understanding when to treat and when not to treat is essential for safeguarding a client’s horse’s wellbeing.
A skilled therapist will always work within their scope of practice and when something falls outside it, they will refer you to a qualified physiotherapist or vet for further investigation.
Early recognition and appropriate referral can make all the difference to your horse’s long-term soundness and performance.
WINBACK TECAR Therapy:
Advancing Equine Healing, Performance and Recovery
WINBACK TECAR therapy is rapidly becoming one of the most trusted technologies in modern Equine Therapy.
Used by leading practitioners worldwide, this non-invasive treatment combines advanced science with gentle, effective care to support healing, enhance performance and improve overall wellbeing in horses of all ages and disciplines.
What is WINBACK TECAR Therapy?
Winback Tecar Therapy is a way of delivering a combination of high frequency currents that align with manual therapy. WINBACK devices are manufactured to medical-grade standards.
The term TECAR stands for Transfer of Energy Capacitive and Resistive and the treatment uses a radiofrequency current (typically between 300 kHz and 1 MHz) to generate controlled energy within the body’s tissues.
This energy enhances cellular metabolism, boosts circulation and supports the repair of connective tissues, muscles and nerves.
In simple terms, TECAR therapy stimulates the body from within, encouraging faster recovery from inflammation, injury or chronic pain.
How TECAR Therapy Works:
TECAR therapy operates in two distinct modes that target different tissue depths:
• Capacitive Mode (CET): Focuses on more superficial tissues like skin, muscles and the lymphatic system to encourage circulation and relaxation.
• Resistive Mode (RET): Reaches deeper structures such as tendons, ligaments, cartilage and bone to stimulate tissue regeneration and relieve joint or chronic pain.
• This dual-mode system allows the therapist to accurately choose the depth and type of tissue they want to target.
Using specialized electrodes, clinicians apply energy through the skin while a return electrode completes the circuit. The result is a targeted, comfortable warmth that enhances both acute and chronic treatment outcomes.
Benefits of TECAR Therapy:
Backed by growing clinical research, TECAR therapy has become a trusted tool for equine professionals. Its main benefits include:
• Noticeable pain reduction through deep-tissue stimulation
• Accelerated soft-tissue repair and faster recovery after injury
• Improved circulation and tissue oxygenation
• Enhanced mobility and range of motion
• Reduced muscle tension and improved post-exercise comfort
• Scar healing
• Accelerated local revascularisation
• Muscle relaxation
• Improved range of movement
• Reduced stress
• Release of spasms and contractures
• Enhanced joint mobility
• Effective post-competition recovery
• FDA Registered & FEI Approved
Why Choose WINBACK TECAR Therapy?
WINBACK offers a range of benefits that make it an exceptional choice for equine care:
• Enhanced mobility — improves joint flexibility and range of motion, helping horses move more freely and perform at their best.
• Non-invasive and safe — gentle, drug-free and suitable for horses of all ages and disciplines.
• Backed by science — WINBACK’s advanced radiofrequency technology is widely used in elite human sport and now horses can benefit from the same innovation.
• Accelerated healing — stimulates cellular regeneration, speeding up recovery from tendonitis, ligament strains, muscle tears and other soft-tissue injuries.
• Pain relief — delivers deep, soothing energy that reduces pain and inflammation while relaxing tight or overworked muscles.
As rehabilitation and sports medicine evolve toward more non-invasive, evidence-based technologies, TECAR therapy stands out as a proven and equine-friendly solution.
Therapists who integrate TECAR therapy into their treatment plans can expect to deliver faster recovery, enhanced comfort, and improved long-term outcomes - helping horses move better, feel better and return to their activities sooner.
Equine therapy is at its best when tradition and innovation work hand in hand.
Skilled, hands-on assessment will always remain the foundation of effective treatment - it’s where understanding, intuition and experience come together to support the horse as a whole.
By integrating WINBACK TECAR Therapy into this framework, we’re not replacing what already works: we’re elevating it.
TECAR technology enhances the depth, precision and effectiveness of manual techniques, helping horses recover faster, move more freely and maintain long-term soundness.
Whether supporting rehabilitation, improving performance or simply promoting comfort and wellbeing, this approach allows each horse to receive the highest standard of care.
My commitment has always been to treat every horse as if it were my own, and adopting WINBACK TECAR Therapy reflects that promise.
By combining proven hands-on methods with advanced, non-invasive technology, I can offer a level of care that is both compassionate and cutting-edge, giving every horse the opportunity to feel, move and perform at their very best.
To contact Christine at equielite Services, go to:
Contact Christine on 07955253728
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