Due to the nature of DEET, we need to advise you that if you use DEET based products on your horse it may cause issues with the rubber bands. According to the National Pesticides Centre they note that: "DEET is a plasticizer and can damage certain rubber, plastic, vinyl, or elastic materials such as contact lenses, eyeglass frames and lenses, watch crystals, combs, painted and varnished surfaces, and certain synthetic or treated fabrics. DEET does not damage natural fibers including cotton and wool."

First, don't panic! We know the Equiband is both a valuable tool for your horse and not cheap!

Before you use the system, and if you have a concern you should do the following:

1. Watch the main fitting video we have produced and understand the process of positioning the Equiband correctly before you try to perform this task.
2. Get a blanket, and lay it over the saddle area where the Equiband should be fitted.
3. Lay the Equiband saddle pad over the horse's back as illustrated (on top of the blanket).
4. Once the pad is in the correct position. Check that the vertical clips (for the tummy) are positioned so that when the bands are fitted they will pass behind the end of the pectoral muscles and before the umbilical of the horse.

IF after doing this you believe you need either a larger or smaller pad, we can provide ONE exchange. However, please be aware that you will have to pay the carriage costs for swapping the pad. You should also know that we can only swap saddle pads if they are clean (you have followed the information above), and that you have purchased the system from us and have notified us within four weeks of receiving the system.

Please see ours size guide to determine what size will best fit your horse based on its height.

The Equiband System sizing is based on the size of the saddle pad (the bands all come one size to be fit to each individual horse). Therefore, height and length of back influence the sizing of the system, while weight and width do not. If the saddle pad is too small, the abdominal band will be positioned too far forward, towards the rider’s leg. If the saddle pad is too large, the abdominal band will slip too far back towards your horse’s flank. We have designed the pads to optimally fit horses according to the heights indicated in our size guide.

While the Equiband Saddle Pad can be placed under saddles, it is important to understand that there are fittings on the Equiband pad that may touch your saddle. At the front there are two "D" rings that are near the withers area. These are used to attach an additional Equicore product or breast plate (to further secure the pad from slipping should it be required).

We strongly recommend not using fly spray with the Equiband system. There have been reports that the chemicals in the fly spray will effect the rubber used in the bands and may cause deterioration in them. This advice should be treated as something that may effect the warranty of the rubber bands.

The hindquarter band may be riding up because it is too loose. This could be solved by shortening the band. Additionally, it could be loosening because the saddle pad is slipping back. Please make sure that the saddle pad is held tightly in place by using the billet straps and girth keeper. Also, make sure that the girth is fully tightened before applying the bands. When determining the tension, please make sure that your horse is standing square or with his hind legs slightly underneath him (not parked out). This way the band adjustment will not be too long. If the band is rolling, make sure that the trip-glide keeper is positioned as close as possible to the buckle, and that the band is positioned with the full width as much as possible spanning the keeper (not folded totally in half on itself).

Depending on the sizes of your horses, you may be able to purchase one Equiband System to fit them both. The Equiband System sizing is based on the size of the saddle pad (the bands all come one size to be fit to each individual horse). If the saddle pad is too small, the abdominal band will be positioned too far forward, towards the rider’s leg. If the saddle pad is too large, the abdominal band will slip too far back towards your horse’s flank. If one of your horses is very close to the border of sizes, you may be able to go up or down depending on if the horse has a relatively long or short back for its height. Many owners prefer to buy the size to fit the horse that “needs” it the most and see if it will also fit the other horse.

As each individual horse's needs and strengths are different, we are unable to recommend a specific training program for your needs. The use of the Equiband is at the discretion of the owner and if you are unsure of the appropriateness of the exercise we would encourage you to consult your veterinarian.

While we cannot prescribe specific exercise program, we have a few general recommendations. The Equiband initially can be used daily, however, the goal is to eventually reduce the need (i.e. weekly or bi-weekly) over time as the horse becomes stronger. When first beginning work with the Equiband system, you will notice that your horse will fatigue quicker, as he is using different muscles than he normally does. We recommend incorporate frequent walk and rest breaks into the routine. We also will suggest initially reducing the time of your normal workout by half. You may also incorporate the Equiband system only at the start of your workout for the first couple weeks and then graduate to using it for the full duration. Furthermore, some horses benefit from initially incorporating only the abdominal band for a 2-4 weeks before adding the hindquarter band.

The hindquarter band may be riding up because it is too loose. This could be solved by shortening the band. Additionally, it could be loosening because the saddle pad is slipping back. Please make sure that the saddle pad is held tightly in place by using the billet straps and girth keeper. Also, make sure that the girth is fully tightened before applying the bands. When determining the tension, please make sure that your horse is standing square or with his hind legs slightly underneath him (not parked out). This way the band adjustment will not be too long.

The Equiband can be used with younger horses. I would suggest that you ensure the unbroken horse is comfortable with having a band around its hind quarters and stomach first. If it has had a surcingle or girth on then you should be OK. However, we always suggest introducing the system in stages. Typically starting with the abdomen band for the first ten days and then moving on to add the hindquarters band after that. We have produced a fitting video (see below) that covers this. The bands that are supplied with the system are made of a rubber that stimulates the skin of the horse, and causes them the respond. In a younger horse I suggest taking a little more time to get the animal used to he system.

In the event that your Equiband saddle pad has a broken clip you might be able to get a replacement. You do have to meet the following criteria to get a replacement from Ethical Horse Products.

1. You need to have a copy of your receipt showing that you purchase a system (not spare bands).
2. You need to send us an email with a picture of the broken clip still attached to the saddle pad.
3. You need to describe how the clip was damage. This is important as feedback to Equicore who continue to strive to make the system as robust as possible.
4. The system needs to have been purchased within the last 12 months.

We regret that we cannot make any exceptions to the above under any circumstances.

We regret that the clips that come as part of the saddle pad cannot be purchased separately. In the event that you have a broken clip, please see another of the FAQs for what you need to do.

We regret that any form of replacement of your spare bands have been forfeited. When warranty replacements are needed, we cannot replace them without proof of purchase of an Equiband System. Use of Spare Bands on anything apart from an Equiband system, does invalidate your warranty. This also applies to replacement clips.

As each individual horse's needs and strengths are different, we are unable to recommend a specific training program for your needs. The use of the Equiband is at the discretion of the owner and if you are unsure of the appropriateness of the exercise we would encourage you to consult your veterinarian.

While we cannot prescribe specific exercise program, we have a few general recommendations. The Equiband initially can be used daily, however, the goal is to eventually reduce the need (i.e. weekly or bi-weekly) over time as the horse becomes stronger. When first beginning work with the Equiband system, you will notice that your horse will fatigue quicker, as he is using different muscles than he normally does. We recommend incorporate frequent walk and rest breaks into the routine. We also will suggest initially reducing the time of your normal workout by half. You may also incorporate the Equiband system only at the start of your workout for the first couple weeks and then graduate to using it for the full duration. Furthermore, some horses benefit from initially incorporating only the abdominal band for a 2-4 weeks before adding the hindquarter band.

Small:
21” Along the back of the horse
18” Drop (down the side at the point of the label)

Pony:
20” Along the back of the horse
16” Drop (down the side at the point of the label)

Regular:
23” Along the back of the horse
21” Drop (down the side)

Large:
25” Along the back of the horse
22” Drop (down the side)

Western:
29” Along the back of the horse
21” Drop (down the side)