Massage Gun for Horses – Equine Owners’ Feedback, Reviews and More!

Hey there! You might think this topic popped up because we’re horse enthusiasts and use an equine massage gun in our stable daily. Well, that’s not quite the case.

However, we’re diving into this topic because numerous horse owners reached out to us, wondering if we could guide them in choosing the right device.

Being seasoned experts in the world of massagers, having seen and tested over 80 such devices, we knew we could help.

In this post, we’ll tackle a few of those questions, including the most common ones. “Are there specific massage guns for horses?”

So, without further ado, let’s get started

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Equine Massage Guns – The Basics

From our experience of reviewing massage guns, we’ve seen the growing interest in these devices, not just for humans but for horses, too.

One crazy thing is that this is not something new at all; it’s been happening for a few years now (at least according to how far we have been able to research, including discussions with actual horse owners).

From our hands-on tests and discussions with horse owners, we can assure you (in case you have never heard about massage guns for horses) that massage guns work the same way for horses as they do for people.

They are used for specialized muscle treatment, myofascial release, warming up the horse’s muscles before and after training, and relaxing them.

But are equine fascia massage guns different from regular massage guns? Can you share a massage gun with your horse? Let’s find out, shall we?

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How can a Massage Gun help your Horse?

Over the years, we’ve seen the evolution of equine massage therapy. The question would probably be when equine therapists discovered that massage guns could be useful in helping horses. Well, the simple answer would be as soon as massage guns were available (perhaps).

Turns out there are a variety of ways that massage gun therapy (especially percussive therapy) can help keep your horse healthy and fit.

1. Basic massage to warm muscles and release fascia. Your horse can benefit from percussive massage to warm up their muscles before they engage in activity (training, racing, etc).
2. Trigger-point therapy to get rid of muscle knots. Since horses are involved in physical activity, muscle knots are a common occurrence that, if left untreated, could result in discomfort. Percussive therapy is a sure way to get rid of these knots – just get the right physiotherapy to identify them on your horse.
3. Myofascial release to ease muscular contraction and joint movement. Fascia tightening around muscles can hinder the performance of your horse. Massage gun therapy works to release the tightened fascia to improve the horse’s performance.
4. Lymphatic drainage removes fluid accumulation in muscle tissues. Horses are prone to fluid accumulation (edema) due to injury or inactivity. A good equine therapist can use a massage gun to drain the excess liquid back into the lymphatic system, where it can be cleared.

From our research and observations, it’s evident how beneficial massage guns can be for horses.

You’ll probably need an equine therapist at first to help you with the initial face of knowing what to do. With time, you should be able to massage your horse by yourself.

According to equine therapy experts, such as Troy Brandenburg, massage guns on a horse have great benefits.

There are other benefits of a massage gun to your horse, including your beloved animal’s overall wellness. A happy horse makes a happy owner; apparently, there is no better way to do it than by using a massage gun.

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Are Equine Massage Guns Different From “Non-Equine” ones?

Given our extensive experience testing various massage guns, this is a question we often grapple with, especially in our case since we have had to deal with all kinds of massage guns.

But is a horse massage gun different from the ones we have had and told you about?

Well, no. They are all the same—they are all massage guns. The same technology used for the “normal” massage guns works for the equine massage guns.

The fact that they are massage guns for horses doesn’t mean they’re stronger or they have features only unique to them.

In fact, the equine percussion massagers can also be used on other pets as long as they like it. But the main question here should be whether the equine massagers are actually better than the non-equine (Theragun, Hypervolt, etc.).

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Should You Buy a Massage Gun From Equine-Specific Brands?

From our perspective, having tested numerous brands, we see that if an equine brand offers detailed guidance on massaging horses, then you should go for an equine-specific product.

Otherwise, we can tell you for sure that equine-specific massage guns are not entirely better than non-equine massage guns. We have handled and reviewed many massage guns and are confident about this.

Our hands-on tests and deep dives into research for this article revealed that these devices are pretty simple compared to what we have tested and reviewed from non-equine massage gun brands. They’re actually a bit outdated, to say the least.

Here is some context to keep you in the know:

• Massage guns have evolved significantly since the first models were unveiled around 2017 and 2018. So much so that models that came along in 2019 feel a little outdated in today’s market. 
• Those earlier versions had simple ergonomics (the 90-degree handle), were drill machines, and weren’t as effective – most were vibrational devices.
• Things have changed since then, with new models that have better ergonomics and longer amplitudes—the distance traveled by the massage gun head as it percusses. The earlier devices had 9-11mm amplitudes that offered vibrational therapy. Enter 2022, and we now have devices with 12-16mm amplitudes. Stall force—the pressure it takes to stall the motor of a device—also significantly increased. This means that there are more percussive devices today.
• Somehow, most equine-specific massage guns seem stuck in the past. Many have vibrational therapy features that seem outdated today. There are exceptions, of course, and we chose one product with the best qualities available.

Based on our hands-on comparisons, we often find non-equine massage guns to offer better value. They are not only outdated in terms of their performance features, but they are also quite expensive. This is rather ironic, to be honest. It means you could actually be overpaying for a massage gun that would normally cost much less.

But there’s one key benefit to choosing to go for those equine-specific massage guns: equine massage-related support. We’ve picked a product from a trusted brand – Brandenburg Equine. Founders here are passionate about horses, own horses, and know everything about using a massage gun on a horse.

We believe paying a little extra isn’t bad because you will get great support for properly massaging your horse. We’ve given that product first priority in our article.

However, if you know how to use a massage gun on a horse properly or would rather learn how to massage your horse on YouTube and elsewhere, we recommend buying a massage gun from a non-equine brand. You’ll likely pay less and get more from your product – improved ergonomics, warranty, and performance features.

Check out our non-equine brand devices below.

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Best Horse Massage Gun from Equine Dedicated Brand

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Brandenburg Equine – Our Top Pick

In our extensive testing of equine brand massage guns, this Brandenburg Equine Massager is by far the safest bet. It’s a proven brand established by well-known equine therapist Troy Brandenburg many years ago.

You will not just get a massage gun, you will become part of the Brandenburg Equine family. Troy and his team are well-versed in equine massage therapy. They have a decent collection of how-to videos and very informative blog posts.

As for their massage gun, it has a classic design that we have seen with many non-equine massage guns – the T-shape design. It has some Hypervolt features that are easily noticeable – the shape and design, the LED band at the foot-end of the handle, and the battery release button. It’s also easy to notice the display screen at the back of the device (stylishly done).

The ergonomics are so-so here if you will use it on yourself. It may not be an issue, though, if you will use it on your horse. It has a few other grip points when you use two hands.

In terms of performance, you can expect 10-11mm of amplitude and about 30 lbs of stall force. The amplitude may be vibrational, but you can apply a bit of pressure with that stall force.

It also has a percussion range of 1200-3200, similar to some non-equine brands we reviewed.

What we thought was a bit overdone is the number of speeds. Up to 20 speeds seem a bit too much. But maybe there are not so many for an equine therapist. For us, 4-6 speeds are enough.

The fact that you toggle up and down between those 20 speeds by pressing the “+” and “-“ buttons is also helpful, perhaps a tad more convenient than the single-button operation seen in other devices.

To be clear, the combination of 10mm and 3200 maximum percussions sounds like vibrational therapy to us. Maybe Troy could argue differently. Either way, our next device is a bit more punchy.

Before that, however, you can expect this gun to be hushed (the 10mm amplitude is the clue). Low noise is hugely important, according to Troy.

I found the noise level was very important. A lot of machines while not loud to us have a different reaction to horses. As I wanted be able to massage around the Poll and Atlas (head) of the horse, it was important to have a sound and pressure that was comfortable to them. Remember a horse is a animal of flight and if you do something that don’t like they will react in a negative manner. This could be a problem for the person and horse. 

– Troy Brandenburg, in his recent e-mail to Massage Gun Advice

Our two cents: As you can see from the quote above, Brandenburg folks know what they are doing, and the design choices in their product seem very well-grounded.

To continue, Troy’s equine massage gun comes with 6 nicely varied attachments: flat, ball, wedge, fork, bullet, and arch (lets you massage a larger area than the fork attachment). They have a guide with videos on how to use each attachment.

The battery has a 2400mAh capacity and can run for 4-5 hours on a single charge—plenty of time. The time the battery lasts will vary based on the pressure applied.

The device comes with a hard-shell traveling case that looks classy. It’s on sale now and costs $250 (50% discount!) with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Get it right here.

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Other Massage Guns – Non-Equine Brands

If you prefer the latest tech or more proven devices without the horse logo, here are some great picks that may interest you. If you are one of our regular readers, this is probably not the first time you have read about them.

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While Ekrin Athletics may not describe themselves as equine massage makers, our tests showed this device would be a great choice for a horse massage gun.

We already know what it can do for humans, and we are pretty certain your horse will also enjoy it.

UPDATE: Actually, we are not guessing. Since we published this article, many of our readers purchased this device and given us positive feedback. For example, one happy horse owner, Phyllis, recently sent photos of her horse, Tucker, enjoying a massage using the B37.

Now, let’s take a look at the device itself. We’ve got a video from our tests. You can see what comes with it, how it works, and how it sounds. We also tried to stall it on each gear to show its power.

So, from this hands-on experience, here’s what stood out about the Ekrin device.

For starters, this gun has better ergonomics than the product we have seen above. The 15-degree angled handle allows for a natural grip. It’s also a stylishly made gun you will be proud to own.

In terms of performance, it has a 12mm amplitude and 57 lbs of stall force. You can never go wrong here. With the procedures we named above, having a massage gun that can withstand more pressure is a huge advantage, especially when dealing with muscle knots and stubborn fascia.

When it comes to the amplitude (stroke length), 12mm is what we like to call a sweet spot. It’s not too vibrational and not too aggressively punchy, either. This also translates to lower noise because low/medium amplitude guns, like Ekrin or Brandenburg above, generally tend to be quieter than their high-amplitude counterparts.

It also has an 1800-3200rpm percussion range and 5-cycle speeds—just enough to be a breeze.

It also comes with a lifetime warranty and great customer support. We are unsure about equine massage therapy advice, but we are certain Ekrin will provide great support for device-related queries.

The B37 costs $229.99, but you can apply the MGA20 coupon for a 20% discount. It then costs $183.99 (you’re welcome!). Buy Ekrin B37 right here!
Don’t forget to read actual reviews from fellow horse owners.

TIP: You can also read our in-depth Ekrin B37 massager review →

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Lifepro Sonic LX Professional – Also Great

In our lineup of tests, the Lifepro Sonic LX emerged as a versatile option for humans and horses. It is from a proven brand and has great features.

The Lifepro Sonic LX massager has a similar design (T-shape) to the equine-brand massage guns but promises better quality.

Speaking of quality, it has a 12mm amplitude and 33 lbs of stall force. It’s not the reckoning force that Ekrin B37 is, but it has slightly more power than both equine brand massage guns.

It has a percussion range of 1800-3400rpm, similar to the Equirelease massage gun. It has 9 speeds to cycle through – we’ll take 9 speeds over 20 speeds any day.

It comes with 10 massage heads, which will work just as well on your horse – there are 3 metallic ones.

It’s not as quiet as Ekrin B37, but it’s quite enough – you don’t have to worry about scaring your horse with it.

It comes with a lifetime warranty and great customer support.

To get the Sonic LX Professional, you must part with $199 or use the MGA10 coupon and buy it for $179 – 10% off.

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Wrap Up

From our hands-on evaluations, if you’re leaning towards a typical equine massage gun, we recommend the Brandenburg massage gun because of Troy’s reputation and top-class company.

From our side-by-side tests, if the equine-specific models aren’t cutting it, we’ve found some non-equine massage guns that might be a better fit. The Ekrin B37 stands out to us because of its impeccable quality. However, depending on your needs, the other two are equally great options.

As always, feel free to ask us a question or just drop us a comment below.