Article from the Belgium magazine CAP - Issue no. 9 September 2010 (CAP is a horse magazine with the largest circulation in the Flanders)
Treat your four legged friends with healthy radiant heat
Do you think that an infrared solarium is a solution which is expensive and energy consuming?
We have an alternative that may interest you. FIR infrared panels are new on the market.
The natural radiant heat from these panels heat not only the environment but horses and humans.
An added advantage is that the panels are small and energy efficient.
The special feature of the Sunnyheat infrared panels is that they have Far Infrared Rays (FIR), this means long wave infrared beams. These have a much deeper impact (min. 4cm) than the normal infrared cabins for horses (a few millimeters).
In a normal infrared cabin just the muscles of the horse will be heated. FIR works much deeper as far as the bone, which can be beneficial for horses that need to recuperate after injury.
As the product is relatively new to the market, we looked for a well known show jumper in Belgium to test the panels.
Show jumper Koen Vereecke was very happy with the results of the effects of FIR infrared Sunnyheat on his horses. Koen: "A very pleasurable heat, radiant heat has advantage that it's not too warm for the horses. My horses liked to stand underneath the panel and clearly enjoyed it." As a son of a stud holder Koen Vereecke is active in horse jumping for about thirty years.
His career started with the education of young horses. In 2006 he was champion of Belgium and was part of the Belgium team in Calgary, Dublin and Hickstead.
Direct effects
FIR is a revolutionairy therapy that promotes health and encourages healing without the use of chemicals or medicine.
FIR therapy is an alternative for the alleviation of pain and is very effective with inflamation problems. Health benefits of Fir infrared panels for your horse are diverse.
Some positive effects can be:
- Oxygen levels in the blood increase.
- The breathing of the skin improves.
- Promotes a more rapid healthy cell growth.
- Improves the immune system.
- Alleviates muscle and joint pains
- Faster recovery after injury and surgery
- Bacteria growth is strongly reduced
- Healing effect on all skin conditions, stimulates regeneration of the skin.
- Can prevent build up of toxins in the muscles.
- Promotes the elimination of toxins and heavy metals.
- Reduces the build up of fatty acids in the tissue.
- Reduces growth of bacteria.
- Reduce odours.
- Assists in the elimination of waste or toxins.
- Activates water molecules in the body.
- Help improve the blood flow.
- Good for swelling and pain.
- Reduces energy costs.
- Can be used 24/7.
Japanese study
There is scientific evidence provided from the University of Tokushima that the FIR infrared beams have a very positive effect
on five different sorts of cancer. FIR also has a beneficial effect on cholesterol levels. The Japanese scientists also noticed that FIR treatments are beneficial to blocked capillaries and veins. Because of the radiant heat the bloodvessels expand and the toxins are released.
This stimulates the elimination of fats, chemicals and toxins in the blood. In the same manner cancerous heavy metals and pesticides are removed from the body. Furthermore it helps neutralise negative side effects from processed food.
Also an excess of acidity is eliminated, which causes painful muscles and joints and inflammation. FIR activates enzymes and the metabolism. One hour in this radiant heat equals a human use of 900 calories.
FIR can reduce bacteria, virusses, fungi and parasites. Its helps in the regenerative of damaged tissue through the promotion of fibroblasin. Furthermore it improves the growth of healthy cells, DNA synthesis and protein synthesis which are all necessary for the regenerative of tissue. The creation of white blood cells is stimulated in the bone marrow and thymus. FIR promotes the healing power of humans and animals.
These discoveries were made in Japan through 40 years of thorough scientific research which to us is a new technology.
Flatscreens
The FIR infrared panels look like 'flat screens'. You can mount them anywhere in the stables or grooming area. You can make your own solarium by hanging a couple of panels in a way that the horses have enough room to stand under them.
Most horses are very relaxed underneath these panels, because the nervous system and hormones are being stabilised. The manufacturer states that you can notice that the horses are less stressed, easier to deal handle and more satisfied.
Not just horses find the FIR infrared heating very pleasurable but but also poultry, small pigs, dogs/cats.. Nowadays many pigs and poultry are in a an environment where there is constant light (normal infrared lamps (IR)). Their biorhythms are totally disturbed leading to negative health aspects as a consequence. Traditional infrared lamps emit light as well as radiant heat however FIR does not emit light only heat.
Humans can also benefit from this 'healthy heat'. The usage is minimal and ideal for persons with allergies. The panels don't circulate dust like other heating systems.
You can make the panels as hot as you like. When heated up, it only uses a minimum amount of power (ie when walls and materials are heated up). The panels are small and can be moved around. Panels are finished with different effects which can include a picture of your choice or with a mirror effect, and so your heating panels can provide two different functions!
