Questions riders ask us

A patented ceramic, set into each product where it rests against your horse. It turns your horse's own body heat into far infrared energy, precisely the part of the light spectrum that body tissue absorbs. How the body responds depends on where that energy is absorbed.

The far infrared is strongest at the point of entry, with effects throughout the body: most of it lands where the ceramic sits, so each product is built for that spot, and what travels on through the horse does a little good everywhere else. In the ears (Gladiator Plughz) and on the poll (Reign Ease), it's aimed at the brain and neck, where it helps soothe the horse's fight-or-flight response by switching on the parasympathetic nervous system. With Gladiator Plughz, most riders see their horse's ears soften within 5 to 10 minutes as they settle into a calmer state. In the PTR™ Bell Boots, Fetlock Wraps and Blanket, it's aimed at the hooves, joints and muscles, supporting healthy circulation so your horse recovers while they rest.

Researchers at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Dr. Carrick and Dr. Sugaya, have studied Gladiator's technology in published laboratory studies, including a peer-reviewed paper in the journal Life in 2021. Read the study.

It depends on the product.

• Calming (Gladiator Plughz, Reign Ease): your horse settles before you get on and stays focused through the ride, without losing their spark.
• Recovery (PTR™ Bell Boots, Fetlock Wraps, Blanket): support for healthy circulation in the hooves, joints and muscles while they rest, so they come out of the stall looser and more comfortable for the next day's work.

No. The ceramic doesn't make heat of its own; it works off the heat your horse already gives off. Wearing it won't make your horse hot.

Within minutes of putting Gladiator Plughz in, most riders see the ears soften, the head drop, some licking and chewing, and a deeper breath. Reign Ease usually shows within 30 minutes. With the recovery gear, the change shows over days: a horse that walks out of the stall looser and more comfortable.

No. You could bury one on the beach, dig it up 20 years later, and it would still be working. That means the ceramic can outlast the gear it comes in, and people find other ways to put it to work. One vet at State College mounted Gladiator ceramics at the coronary band, where the hoof grows from. Thirty days later the hoof had grown so much that the ceramics sat halfway down it, and the scans showed healthy blood flow through the hoof. Riders use them on themselves, too.

No. If it's been somewhere cold, it just needs your horse's body heat to start working again.

It comes down to how much of the body each product covers. Each Gladiator Plughz carries a piece of the ceramic inside the foam; the Blanket spreads six pads of ceramics over the hips, midline, shoulders and brachial plexus.

Lamps, PEMF blankets and other electrified therapy all need power. Gladiator's ceramic runs on your horse's own body heat, and the published research was done on Gladiator's own ceramic, not on far infrared in general. We're the only non-powered far infrared with proven results.

Gladiator Equine is designed for horses. The same technology is used by people through our parent company, Gladiator Therapeutics, including riders, farriers and trainers. For dogs, there's Gladiator K-Nine.

There are no known side effects. Gladiator Therapeutics tested the technology extensively during product development to make sure it's safe for people and animals, and to the best of our knowledge it has never caused an adverse event. Keep your horse well hydrated while using it.

Each product is made for one part of the body and fastens with Velcro, a crown piece or, for Gladiator Plughz, goes in the ears. There's no limit on how often you use it.

No. There's no time limit, because the ceramics don't produce heat.

Yes. Gladiator Equine products are safe for horses of all ages.

It hasn't been tested on pregnant mares yet. Call us at +1-610-215-2004 if you have questions.

It can be used anywhere on the body. Around the eyes, place the ceramics above or beside the eye rather than over it.

In extreme heat, a product left in the sun can get too hot to touch. Let it cool down before you put it on, and don't use one that's been sitting out all day in very hot weather. In the cold, it simply needs your horse's body heat to get going.

Most horses wear Large. Ponies take Small/Medium; warmbloods and bigger heads take X-Large. Between sizes? Call us at +1-610-215-2004 and we'll help you pick.

Only the outside. Smooth is streamlined for easy insertion and removal. Dimpled gives you more grip, even with gloves. Dimpled and Coated adds durability and a softer feel. All three carry the same Gladiator ceramic.

A regular ear plug is foam, and foam only reduces volume. Plughz Powered by Gladiator carry Gladiator's ceramic inside the foam, so your horse's own body heat also works to ease them out of fight-or-flight. The crowd and the loudspeaker stop getting a reaction.

No. Calming paste works by dulling the horse. The ceramic works the other way: it helps your horse's body out of fight-or-flight, so you get a horse that's settled but still bright and forward. If yours gets quieter than you'd like, put them in a little closer to your ride.

Hunters, jumpers and equitation can use Gladiator Plughz in competition. In dressage, ear plugs are only allowed at prize-giving ceremonies, not in the warm-up or the test. From December 1, 2026, eventers can use ear plugs in all phases, including the dressage test. Always check your current rulebook.

Same Gladiator ceramic, same size and fit. PRO is bare silicone and sits under the crown piece, which holds it in place. PRO-C has a cloth cover that makes the pad firmer and lets it Velcro to the crown piece.

It's one size and sits under a crown piece up to 1¾ in wide. On a narrower 1 in crown, use it with a bonnet or attachment.

20 to 60 minutes before you ride, then leave it on for the ride. There's no time limit. If your horse gets quieter than you'd like, try a shorter window before you get on.

Yes. Nothing goes in the ears. It sits on the poll, just behind the ears, which is where a stressed horse locks up first, and it helps those muscles let go so the neck and back can follow. Riders whose horses do wear plugs often use both.

PRO-C: yes in the jumper ring. Hunters and dressage don't allow it in competition, so use it at home and for schooling, and pair it with Gladiator Plughz for the hunter ring. Always check your current rulebook.

Small for 14 to 15 hands, Medium for 15 to 16, Large for 17 and up. Between 16.1 and 16.3, measure around the narrowest part of the pastern, just above the hoof, and pick the closest size: 7.25, 9.25 or 11.25 in. Still unsure? Call us at +1-610-215-2004.

One size, for the front or hind legs. Snug enough to stay in place: they don't work by compression, so there's no need to pull the straps tight.

Bell Boots and Fetlock Wraps are each sold as a left or a right. A pair covers the front or the hind legs, and a set of 4 covers all four. They go on the front or the hind.

As long as you like. Riders put Bell Boots and Fetlock Wraps on after the work and leave them on overnight in the stall. The Blanket's ceramics reach the whole body within 15 to 20 minutes; after that, there's no time limit.

It's one size, with adjustable chest, belly, tail and leg straps. Not sure? Call us at +1-610-215-2004.

No. The ceramics don't produce heat, and the body is mesh, so it isn't a warming blanket. In very hot weather, don't leave it lying in the sun before you put it on: it can get too hot to touch.

Yes. Some trainers rotate one blanket through the barn during the day. If you'd rather each horse has their own, a Gladiator concierge can plan a barn order with you.

Yes, in the barn. Put them on after your round and leave them on overnight in the stall. They're made for rest, not the ring, so check your rulebook before competing in them.

Reign Ease, PTR™ Bell Boots, PTR™ Fetlock Wraps and the PTR™ Blanket come with our 30-day money-back guarantee. To start a return, call us at +1-610-215-2004 within 30 days of purchase, with your proof of purchase ready. We'll email you a return label and walk you through packing it.

Please send it back in as good a condition as you received it, with the original packaging. Once it arrives and is inspected, we mail a refund check to the address the order shipped to; allow 10 to 14 business days. Shipping costs aren't refundable. Read the full policy.

Gladiator Plughz aren't part of the 30-day money-back guarantee. They're backed by our 6-month warranty against manufacturing defects: email info@gladiatorir.com with your original receipt and a description of the issue, and once we receive the defective pair, we'll send you a free replacement.

If a pair fails after 6 months, up to one year from purchase, return it with your original receipt for 20% off a new pair. Return shipping is yours unless the item arrived defective. Gladiator Plughz can't be returned for any other reason.

We ship within the US, with standard and express shipping at checkout. Need something for a show this week? Choose express, or call us and we'll help.

Call +1-610-215-2004, email info@gladiatorir.com, or use our contact page.