[RC] EquiPedic Heat Comparison Testing - Richard Sacks
Yes, the test performed for us were static tests done without live horses.
The reason we chose to do these tests were to determine the effects of heat on
the materials used in a variety of saddle pads. We had the lab
eliminate the effects of evaporative cooling, ambient conditions (wind speed,
elevation, humidity, etc.) so that they were comparing apples to apples. The
tests were done at extreme temperatures (110 degrees Fahrenheit and above) that
would be detrimental if not lethal to live animals. Testing was done multiple
times at the same time of day in a controlled environmental chamber and averages
were used to generate the charts.
In order to do this type of testing on live animals in a controlled
environment would require an enclosed environmental chamber large enough to
house a horse and a treadmill. There are few of these available in the world.
Purina Mills has such a facility but they have not been willing to allow us to
use their facilities.
Testing in a "real world" environment as Kathy Copeland's daughter did is
commendable but not completely scientific. There are just too many variables
that will affect the results. Each horse has different levels and usage of
caloric energy (heat). The use of an under saddle thermometer is not as accurate
as using thermo-couplers that record temperature every five seconds.
Additionally taking temperatures after the saddle and pad is removed from the
horse will effect the results. Ambient temperatures, elevation, and
humidity will also effect the results. In Project Number J1104 done by Alicia
Copeland for the 2005 California State Science Fair no indication was made of
outside temperature, wind speed, humidity levels or where the testing took
place. Their tests took place in the Sierras during the March timeframe (when it
is still fairly cold and windy). The results of this project showed a nominal
difference between the Equipedic pad and the Supracor pad.
The reason this is brought up is that the materials used in the EquiPedic
pads are designed to cool the horse when it is hot and warm the horse
when it is cold. Our goal is to stabilize the surface temperature of
the horse to as close as standing (normal) surface temperature as possible. This
is critical because as many athletes know cooling under extreme athletic stress
is not always the best solution. If an athlete is cooled in colder environments
where the core temperature is reduced, the result can be hypothermia. This can
be as serious as heat exhaustion. Even without hypothermia, both equine and
human athletes will use more energy to compensate for the cooler temperatures in
an attempt to self regulate their own bodies. This additional use of energy can
lower the performance of the athlete. If the athlete has to expend less energy
on regulating their body temperature, they can use that energy for other
purposes (i.e.: better performance).
Regardless, we stand by our claims that the EquiPedic pad will cool your
horse when it is hot and warm your horse when it is cold by a 4-7 degree
variable. We use the same materials used by NASA in launch and re-entry
uniforms, by military and law enforcement manufacturers of body armor, Nomex
firefighting suits and NASCAR race driver uniforms. I have yet to see any use of
the Supracor hexagonal material used in any of these applications for cooling
purposes. But I do know that at Tevis both the fourth and fifth place finishers,
as well as many others, used our pad. I also know that at NAEC in FairHill
the horse that received Best Condition, the Bronze Medalist, the Gold and Silver
off continent medalists, and the Canadian east team all used our pads with great
success.
