Racing on - PARADE MAGAZINE

FEATURETEXT: ROBYN LOUW. PHOTOS: SUPPLIEDparticularly in long distance travel. They really hit theheadlines when Black Caviar famously travelled to theUK wearing her custom designed suit with her nameon it. Travelling horses is not something that we give alot of thought to, but horses’ muscles work a lot harderthan we realise during traveling. Their muscles aresubjected to a lot of vibration, jarring and concussion.Muscle vibration can cause micro fibres to tear in themuscles, which can cause the enzyme creatine kinase(CK) to leak into the blood. Sufficiently high concentrationscan cause cramping and even travel sickness.Hidez suits have been extensively tested and found toreduce the effects of travel.Additional benefitsA surprising and unexpected benefit of the suit is itspsychological effect. It is said to have a very calmingand soothing effect on horses.Evette Gemmill of Equiproducts (the official Hidezdistributor in South Africa) relates that a customerpurchased a Hidez suit for a competition horse thatwas a notoriously bad traveller. The horse wouldload, but would fret and fuss throughout the journeyand offload at the destination badly stressed andsweated up and would perform poorly. The ownerpurchased a suit and said that the transformation hasbeen remarkable. The horse relaxes completely in thesuit, travels exceptionally well and they have seen a52 Parade