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Magnetic and infrared therapy rugs are often grouped together, but the technology, construction and recommended wear times are different. Here is a practical comparison of Premier Equine’s Magni-Teque and Nano-Tec rugs, including what riders should realistically expect from each.
Quick answer
Magnetic and infrared rugs use completely different technologies.
The Magni-Teque Magnetic Horse Rug uses 238 static ferrite magnets positioned across key areas of the rug and neck. The Nano-Tec Infrared Horse Rug uses mineral-containing fibres fused into its lining, designed to reflect some of the horse’s own emitted heat back as infrared thermal radiation.
Magni-Teque has a maximum recommended wear time of four hours. Nano-Tec can be built up to around four hours for routine use and, where appropriate, up to twelve hours.
Start with the purpose
What is a therapy rug for horses?
A therapy rug is designed to become part of a horse’s management routine around work and rest. Depending on the technology, it may be used before exercise, after the horse has finished work, or during a controlled period of rest.
“Therapy rug” describes a category rather than one single method. Magnetic rugs and infrared textile rugs should not be treated as interchangeable products. Their construction is different, their use instructions are different and the claims made about them should be considered carefully.
Side by side
Magnetic vs infrared therapy rugs: the key differences
Both Premier Equine rugs are designed for pre- and post-exercise routines, but they achieve that through different materials and different wear guidance.
| Feature | Magni-Teque Magnetic | Nano-Tec Infrared |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | 238 static flexible ferrite magnets across rug and neck cover | Mineral-containing Nano-Tec fibres fused into the fabric lining |
| Construction | Soft breathable mesh with antibacterial nylon at wither and shoulder | Breathable 3D ducted sports mesh with moisture-wicking infrared lining |
| Introduction | 30 minutes to 1 hour per day during the first week | 30 minutes to 1 hour per day during the first week |
| Routine wear | Typically 1–4 hours, built up gradually | Around 4 hours after gradual introduction |
| Maximum stated wear | 4 hours per day after two weeks | Up to 12 hours |
| After exercise | Only once the horse is dry, at normal temperature and resting with a regular heart rate | Designed for post-exercise use with a moisture-wicking, breathable lining |
| During exercise | No | No. Designed for use around exercise and during rest |
Always follow the current product instructions supplied with the rug. Guidance may be updated as products develop.
Technology 01
How the Magni-Teque Magnetic Horse Rug is constructed
Magni-Teque is built around individual static magnets. There are 164 magnets in the main rug and 74 in the detachable neck cover, giving 238 in total.
Each is specified as a 600 Gauss high-energy flexible ferrite magnet with a 50 mm plume field zone. They are stitched into defined positions across the rug and neck rather than placed in one central panel.
The rug uses a soft breathable mesh, with antibacterial nylon lining over the wither and shoulder. A therapy rug still needs to sit comfortably and manage heat while the horse is standing at rest.
View Magni-TequeUse matters as much as construction. The horse should be at rest with a regular heart rate. After exercise, wait until the horse has returned to a normal temperature and is dry. Do not use Magni-Teque on a sweaty or wet horse or during exercise.
Technology 02
How the Nano-Tec Infrared Horse Rug is constructed
Nano-Tec uses a textile-based approach. Nano nylon filaments containing minerals are fused within the fabric fibres. The fabric is designed to reflect some heat and energy emitted by the horse back towards the body as infrared thermal radiation.
Nano-Tec is not an electrical blanket and it does not contain an infrared lamp. Its infrared function comes from the material itself.
The 3D ducted sports mesh helps regulate temperature, while the lining is breathable and moisture-wicking. The infrared technology is fused into the fabric and is designed to last for the lifetime of the product when cared for correctly.
View Nano-TecEvidence matters
What does the evidence say about therapy rugs for horses?
Therapy products sit in an area where rider experience, product design and scientific evidence are not always the same thing. We believe those should be kept separate.
Static magnetic therapy
Static magnetic products are widely used in equestrian management. However, controlled research in healthy horses has not shown a significant increase in muscle blood flow from static magnetic blankets or wraps compared with placebo controls.
Infrared textile products
Nano-Tec’s construction can be described precisely: mineral-containing fibres are fused into the fabric and designed to reflect emitted heat as infrared radiation. Clinical effects on an individual horse should not be overstated without direct evidence.
For injury, pain, swelling, lameness or persistent symptoms, product use should sit alongside veterinary assessment rather than replace it.
In the routine
When should you use a therapy rug?
For most riders, the value of a therapy rug comes from consistency. It should have a clear place in the horse’s routine rather than being used randomly.
- Before exercise: during a calm period of rest before tacking up.
- After exercise: as part of a controlled post-work routine. With Magni-Teque, the horse must first be dry and back to normal temperature and heart rate.
- On rest or lighter-work days: where a regular management routine is already established.
- For horses in regular training: where the owner wants a repeatable pre- or post-exercise process.
A therapy rug should never become a reason to ignore a change in the horse. New stiffness, pain, heat, swelling, altered movement or persistent symptoms deserve proper assessment.
Wear time
How long should a horse wear a therapy rug?
Magni-Teque Magnetic Horse Rug
Start with 30 minutes to one hour per day during the first week. Build gradually. Premier Equine’s current guidance is a maximum of four hours per day after two weeks.
Nano-Tec Infrared Horse Rug
Begin with 30 minutes to one hour per day during the first week. Build towards around four hours for routine use. Current product guidance states that Nano-Tec may be left on for up to twelve hours.
Longer is not automatically better. Gradual introduction gives you time to observe the horse and establish whether the product fits comfortably into the management routine.
Decision guide
Which Premier Equine therapy rug should you choose?
There is no universal winner. Choose on technology, intended wear time and how you want to use the rug.
You want a defined magnetic routine.
It suits riders looking specifically for a static magnetic rug with magnets positioned across major areas of the body and neck, used during shorter controlled periods of rest.
You prefer a textile-based infrared option.
It suits riders who want breathable 3D mesh, moisture-wicking construction and the flexibility of a longer stated maximum wear time.
If your priority is simply drying a very sweaty horse after work, a dedicated horse cooler rug may be the more direct product category to consider.
Use responsibly
Safety, contraindications and when to speak to your vet
- Do not use either rug over open wounds.
- Do not use on mares in foal.
- Magni-Teque should not be used near pacemakers.
- Magni-Teque must not be used during exercise.
- Do not put Magni-Teque on a sweaty or wet horse after work.
- If symptoms persist, contact your veterinary surgeon.
Therapy rugs are management products, not diagnostic tools. If a horse is injured, lame, unusually stiff, painful or showing persistent symptoms, seek veterinary advice before relying on any therapy product.
Frequently asked
Therapy rug FAQs
Do magnetic rugs for horses actually work?
Riders commonly use magnetic rugs as part of pre- and post-exercise management, but the scientific evidence for static magnets is limited. Controlled studies in healthy horses have not found a significant increase in muscle blood flow from magnetic blankets or wraps compared with placebo controls.
What is the difference between a magnetic rug and an infrared rug?
A magnetic rug contains physical static magnets positioned within the rug. An infrared textile rug such as Nano-Tec uses mineral-containing fibres fused into the lining and does not contain magnets or an electrical infrared source.
Can you put a magnetic rug on a wet or sweaty horse?
Not with the Magni-Teque Magnetic Horse Rug. After exercise, Premier Equine’s current instructions say the horse should have returned to a normal temperature, be dry and have a regular heart rate before the rug is used.
How long can a horse wear a magnetic rug?
For Magni-Teque, start with 30 minutes to one hour per day and build gradually. The current maximum stated wear time is four hours per day after two weeks.
How long can a horse wear an infrared rug?
For Nano-Tec, start with 30 minutes to one hour per day. Build towards around four hours for routine use. Current Premier Equine product guidance states that it may be left on for up to twelve hours.
Can a horse exercise in a therapy rug?
These rugs are designed around exercise and rest rather than to be worn while the horse is being ridden or worked. Magni-Teque specifically must not be used during exercise.
Explore the range
Choose the therapy technology that fits your horse’s routine.
Compare Premier Equine magnetic and infrared rugs, boots and targeted therapy products.
Shop Therapy Rugs Explore Horse Therapy- Edner A, Lindberg L-G, Broström H, Bergh A. Does a magnetic blanket induce changes in muscular blood flow, skin temperature and muscular tension in horses? Equine Veterinary Journal. PubMed.
- Steyn PF, Ramey DW, Kirschvink J, Uhrig J. Effect of a static magnetic field on blood flow to the metacarpus in horses. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. PubMed.
