Do Equiwinner patches work for every horse?
Yes, Equiwinner does work on all horses as described. Many trainers use Equiwinner on one horse after another and see results every time. One trainer’s testimonial states, “I’ve never had a horse that hasn’t looked better after using the patches.”
However, it’s important to note that overfeeding may interfere with the electrolyte-balancing process, and results may not last as long as expected. Basic good nutrition combined with exercise is the foundation for equine health. Overfeeding relative to the amount of exercise is the most common mistake horse owners make. Even a small excess of food intake relative to the work being done increases blood sugar levels. Excess blood sugar (glucose) can completely unbalance the equine electrolytes, making any treatment more difficult. Overfeeding over time may also result in insulin resistance and laminitis.
Maintaining balanced horse electrolytes through proper diet, exercise, and, when needed, Equiwinner patches can support long-term health and performance.
For more information on nutrition, please click here.
Should I clip my horse's coat before using Equiwinner patches?
No, it’s actually better not to clip the horse’s coat before applying Equiwinner patches. The patches are designed to cling onto the coat hairs, not the skin. If a horse has been clipped recently, the coat hairs are growing back but won’t lie flat until they’re longer — it would be as difficult as trying to stick tape to a hairbrush.
If you’ve already clipped your horse and need to begin treatment right away, you can still keep each Equiwinner patch in place with the help of duct tape. Whether applied on a short coat or a thick winter coat, Equiwinner is made to work for horses without requiring clipping.
Please refer to the next FAQ if your horse has a long thick coat.
Can Equiwinner be used on a horse with a long thick coat?
Equiwinner can be used on all types of horses. The Equiwinner patch does not need to be applied directly to the skin, since it works by signaling only and nothing passes into the body of the horse. Equiwinner patches are designed to cling onto the coat hairs. In the case of a long coat, simply part the hairs to allow the two nodes on the Equiwinner patch to come close to the skin.
For best results, Equiwinner should be placed on top of the hindquarter, on either side of the croup. If the coat is molting, brush off the surplus hairs first. If methylated spirits, a sheen product, or field dirt is present on the coat, the area should be cleaned with surgical spirits or pure isopropyl alcohol, available from any drugstore.
Can Equiwinner patches get wet?
The Equiwinner Patch is waterproof and will stay on during rain, but it should be first applied to a dry coat to stick properly.
The patch can even be hosed carefully after a workout. Check out how this groom deals with a wet patch.
Do horses need to be blanketed during an Equiwinner treatment?
Yes, blanketing over Equiwinner patches is fine and can even help keep the patch in place if a horse rolls or rubs against trees or fences. Blanketing is especially important in cold winter weather. When temperatures drop, a horse’s winter coat naturally fluffs up to trap warm air, which can lift the Equiwinner patch away from the skin. Using a rug or blanket keeps the skin at a normal temperature and ensures the patch stays close to the body where it can work effectively.
Do I continue to give my horse oral electrolytes while using Equiwinner?
Although Equiwinner patches contain a carefully designed group of electrolytes, no substance is ever transferred through the skin to the horse — only the cell signal to restore optimum electrolyte balance. In other words, Equiwinner helps electrolytes in horses work properly. If necessary, additional horse electrolytes can be supplemented while using Equiwinner without any problem.
However, there is usually no point in feeding extra electrolytes for horses unless a deficiency is suspected, in which case the horse would likely show obvious poor health. The majority of horses live healthy lives without ever being given oral equine electrolytes, since they typically receive enough from a normal diet. If you do use a horse electrolyte supplement (not to excess), any surplus will simply be eliminated in the urine. Always choose a high-quality brand of equine electrolyte supplement that contains little or no sugar for the best results.