The Importance of Design & Construction of Equi-Tape®
Every detail of Equi-Tape’s® construction acknowledges the unique qualities of a horse’s skin, anatomy, physiological systems, athletic ability, and lifestyle conditions. Equi-Tape® is designed to have the appropriate amount of strength, stretch, and adhesive that achieves effective results while ensuring the safety and comfort of the horse for all rehabilitation and training scenarios. Below we will discuss Equi-Tape® compared to other kinesiology tape, athletic tape, and tape that claims to be for animals. Finally we will share with you insight on how to identify brands that can cause unwanted outcomes.
Strength
Tensile strength is very important when considering putting "stretchy" tape on a horse. It needs to be strong enough to support, flexible enough to give and not interfere with natural movement but also will give or "tear" when the animal needs it to. Equi-Tape® is made with a high tensile strength to support those massive joints, however, we
ensured it would give if applied incorrectly. This is one of the reasons Equi-Tape® has a proven track record of safety.
Material and Stretch
Equi-Tape® is constructed of a blended cotton/nylon “Spandex®” fabric with latex-free, medical grade adhesive. We use cotton as our base material because it is natural and breathable and is best for the horses skin. Tape brands that use 100% synthetic material can lead to skin irritation caused by bacterial growth between the tape and skin because the tape does not breathe. If it's shinny its synthetic. Our unique nylon material is woven with the cotton to achieve the ideal stretch to tensile strength ratio and is able to stretch and recoil while the horse is in motion. Stretch is extremely important to the efficacy of the application. When using kinesiology tape on a horse the tape needs to stretch with the horse, their large muscles can expand to more than twice the length. Equi-Tape®'s stretch capabilities are equal to the horses needs.
Adhesive
Equi-Tape®'s adhesive is medical grade and latex free, often chosen to be used post operative or to help horses recover from injuries. The wave pattern of the adhesive allows the horses skin to breathe while ensuring durable and long-lasting applications. The adhesive is strong but will let go if the application was applied with too much stretch. We never want to interfere with your horses movement. This may be one of the most unique parts of the tape. When applied correctly the tape's adhesive will far outlast its recoil ability.
Equine Anatomy vs. Human Skin
Equi-Tape® differs from tape made for humans because it is designed to attach to hair, not human skin. A horse has far more nerves and receptors in the skin and fascia than humans! Horse anatomy is also proportionately larger than human anatomy, requiring a tape’s stretch and adhesion ability to hold up to the size of the anatomy in relation to the movement of the horse. Tape made for humans is also not designed for a horse’s lifestyle and will not be durable or effective on a horse. Equi-Tape® has been field tested for safety and efficacy on horses for over 15 years and is not recommend for use on humans.
Equi-Tape® vs Other Kinesiology Tape Marketed for Use on Animals
Several kinesiology tape brands market tape that claims to be designed for use on animals. These brands simply added more adhesive to tape made for humans making the tape more appropriate for use on animal fur. That does not mean the tape is designed for the unique physiology of an animal, let alone the dynamic movement of a horse! Equi-Tape® is the only brand in the world that has been field tested and scientifically researched for use on horses for over 15 years!
Therapeutic vs. Athletic Tapes
Many tapes on the market are designed for a specific use, not versatility. Athletic support tape is often used to limit range of motion such as bracing a joint. Be careful of brands that claim to be “sticky” but have not been proven for use on performance horses! When tape does not have enough stretch, an application can interfere with a horse’s natural range of motion. Tape that is marketed for general therapeutic use will not have enough stretch or adhesive ability suitable for use on horses in motion.
The Worlds Best Equine Kinesiology Tape
Equi-Tape® is the only equine kinesiology tape in the world that is used safely on both equine athletes to increase performance potential and on equines in need of therapeutic or rehabilitative care.
Dr. Gordon created the first elastic kinesiology tape designed specifically for horses. As a chiropractor for both humans and horses, she realized tape designed for humans could not achieve the results she knew were possible on horses. Equi-Tape® is a direct solution to a very real problem and the equine world will never be the same!