Romans’ Derby And Oaks Trainees Enjoying ‘Good Vibrations’

With scrutiny of medications in racehorses at an all-time high, it’s no wonder that some trainers are turning to alternative therapies to keep their charges in tip-top shape.

One such proponent of thinking outside the box is trainer Dale Romans, who conditions Kentucky Derby-bound Keen Ice and Kentucky Oaks contender Birdatthewire.

While Romans has no hard-and-fast statistical evidence that the modalities he uses work, he notes that the technology he uses was designed by NASA to loosen up muscles and promote circulation in humans.

“The biggest thing on natural stuff is that if they [the horses] like it,” he said. “I figure that nature tells them to like it for a reason and it’s doing something good, even if I can’t pinpoint what it is.”

Romans says all his horses, including the two that will race this weekend, receive two alternative therapies to keep them in top racing shape: therapy with a Magna Wave machine and a vibration plate.

“All that stuff, I think, needs to be used early, as more preventative than when you’re trying to heal something,” says Romans.

Magna Wave PEMF

At first glance, the Magna Wave looks like it might feel a little painful when in use. A standing horse has a large, curled hose attached to a control box draped or held over areas of his body and the resulting pulses cause his muscles to contract. Romans said the machine can deliver a bit of a sting when turned up in intensity, but the horses don’t seem to be bothered at all. Romans’ horses find the machine comfortable enough that they can receive the treatment in their stall with no sedation or restraint, and sometimes grab a few mouthfuls of hay while the hose is moved over their bodies.

Magna Wave High Voltage Pulsed Electro-Magnetic Frequency (PEMF) therapy is a non-invasive alternative therapy that has no side effects or risks of use, according to its manufacturer. This machine works by sending high-power electromagnetic pulses through the hose, creating what feels like a focused vibration in the hose. The pulses are intended to benefit the horse by improving circulation, increasing blood oxygen, stimulating the lymphatic system, relaxing muscle spasms, relieving tension, enhancing muscle tone, and increasing range of motion—all without the use of drugs. Additionally, pain and inflammation are reduced on a horse dealing with an injury, and healing is promoted by increasing the blood oxygen level.

A traditional treatment takes about 30 minutes, and Romans’ horses receive treatment about three times a week. There is no racing rule that designates how often or how far out from the race a horse may receive a Magna Wave treatment.

In sensitive areas (those with lots of tendons and muscle), the muscles twitch because of super oxygenation and molecule movement in the cells. Though the horse’s health team may know which area on an animal is causing issues, the Magna Wave is used on the entire horse. This allows the area to be continuously helped as super-oxygenated blood from the rest of the body continues to flow to and through the area.