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A rider and horse on the show grounds
Our story · Powered by Gladiator Therapeutics

Medical technology, made for the horse

Gladiator Equine is part of Gladiator Therapeutics, a research and development company that specializes in ceramic emitters. The ceramic was developed for people first. Today it goes into gear for horses and dogs, made in Whitehall, Pennsylvania.

Read on Where the ceramic comes fromSince 2019 The people behind itLab to barn What we makeHorse and dog
Where it comes from

Developed for people first

01

Built in human medicine

Gladiator Therapeutics, 2019

Gladiator Therapeutics began developing medical devices for people around a patented far-infrared ceramic, with its technology partner, Dr. Albert Wey.

02

Studied and published

University of Central Florida, 2021

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

Read the study →
03

Brought to horses and dogs

Gladiator Equine and Gladiator K-Nine

The same ceramic now goes into gear made for horses: ear plugs, a poll pad, boots, wraps and a full blanket. And into a collar for dogs.

Reign Ease PRO-C on a horse's poll, behind the ears
The ceramic

Body heat in, far infrared out

Set into each product where it rests against your horse, the ceramic turns their own body heat into far infrared energy, precisely the part of the light spectrum that body tissue absorbs. Strongest at the point of entry, with effects throughout the body: most of it lands where the ceramic sits, which is why a plug is built for the head and a boot for the foot, and what travels on through the horse does a little good everywhere in between.

  • Out of fight-or-flightAimed at the brain and neck, it helps soothe the fight-or-flight response by switching on the parasympathetic side, the body's rest-and-digest mode. That's the calming side: a horse that can think and listen.
  • Blood vessels open upAimed at the hooves, joints and muscles, far infrared supports the release of nitric oxide, which widens blood vessels, so more oxygen and nutrients reach the tissue while your horse rests.
  • Settled, not dulledCalming paste works by dulling the horse. The ceramic helps the body out of fight-or-flight instead, so your horse stays bright and forward.
  • Lasts a lifetimeThe ceramic keeps working for as long as you have it, and can outlast the gear it comes in.
The Gladiator team with a horse
Gladiator is based in Whitehall, Pennsylvania, where the gear is made. You'll also find us at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida.
The people behind it

From the lab to the barn aisle

  • Dr. Albert WeyTechnology partner

    Inventor of FIR-based Reaction Barrier Reduction (RBR) technology, the science behind the ceramic.

  • Dr. Carrick and Dr. SugayaUniversity of Central Florida College of Medicine

    The researchers behind the published laboratory studies of Gladiator's technology.

  • Dr. Catherine Radtke, DVM, PhDAbington Equine Hospital

    A veterinarian who helped with the production of the equine products and was among the first to use them.

  • The ridersScott Stewart · Todd Minikus · Kyle King · Amanda Steege · Jena Antonucci

    Grand Prix riders, the country's top hunter trainers and a Belmont Stakes winning trainer who use Gladiator in their barns. Watch them →

From the show grounds

What riders tell us

Filmed at the shows, in between classes, with the horses they ride every day.

More on the Riders page →
Todd Minikus interviewed at a horse show1:11

Six to eight months on the poll

As anybody here on the showgrounds can tell you, usually I'm not so optimistic about new and better mousetraps.
Todd Minikus
Todd Minikus interviewed at a horse show0:42

Compared to other devices

This product, I believe, is like ceramics on steroids.
Todd Minikus
Horsewoman at a horse show1:20

A spooky horse, two days in

Both days he's acted like your five-year-old could ride him. He's just sweet.
Horsewoman at the show grounds

Swipe for more →

What we make

One ceramic, six ways to wear it

Shop all
Gladiator Plughz®Foam that reduces volume, with Gladiator's ceramic inside to help soothe fight-or-flight.Calming → Reign Ease® PRO-CVelcros under the crown piece, with the ceramic aimed at the brain and neck so your horse can let go through the poll.Calming → PTR™ Bell BootsAimed at the hoof, supporting healthy circulation overnight in the stall.Recovery → PTR™ Fetlock WrapsAimed at the fetlock joint, supporting healthy circulation while your horse rests.Recovery → PTR™ BlanketSix pads of ceramics over the hips, midline, shoulders and brachial plexus, for rest after hard work.Recovery → Gladiator K-Nine CollarThe same ceramic in a calming collar for dogs, worn all day.For dogs →
Gladiator Therapeutics

Put the ceramic to work in your barn

Start with what your horse needs, calming or recovery. For more on the technology and the research behind it, visit our parent company, Gladiator Therapeutics.

Shop Gladiator EquineGladiator Therapeutics