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The Winks Green (WG) Transeva uses a unique modified faradic pulse to stimulate rhythmic muscular contractions. The current produced by the WG Transeva is a short duration interrupted direct current with a pulse duration of 0.5 – 1.5 seconds and a frequency of 50 – 100 Hz (Forster & Palastanga, 1990) Due to the modified nature of the current it mimics the natural contraction and relaxation of the muscle. This is why it so well accepted by horses, even the sensitive ones.
This allows it to be used as a fully controlled form of artificial exercise (Strong, 1967). The healing effect comes from the rhythmic contractions of the muscle. The contractions create the best conditions for healing to take place. The increase in blood circulation provides the area with oxygen, nutrients and healing components and the active elimination of waste materials that could potentially cause permanent crippling if left to stagnate (Strong, 1967)
The Transeva
History of the Transeva
The history of the Transeva first began with Physiotherapist Charles Strong in the 1930s. Strong was the physiotherapist to the Royal Family for many years and later treated their polo ponies and racehorses,. He had adopted the newly developed technique of using a faradic current to treat injuries however he found the electrical current too harsh and therefore limiting. And so he sought out to improve it.
It was in 1939 when Lord Mountbatten, while being treated for one of his many polo injuries, asked Strong ‘As humans respond so rapidly to this form of treatment for their injuries, why isn’t it used on horses for theirs?’ After which Strong began treatment on horses and found success in treating two of his unsound polo ponies and they made great recoveries. This lead to him developing the ‘Strong Box’ in early 1950 to be used for the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries in animals and trained the late D.M (Winks) Greene in his theories and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries in humans and equines. In 1974 he received his knighthood.
Together Strong and Greene developed the first Transeva (Originally called SEVA meaning Strong Electronic Veterinary Apparatus) in the early 1980’s. Strong unfortunately passed away before the Transeva was manufactured for general use.
The Transeva Today
Before her passing, Winks Greene opened the Natal Rehabilitation Center and began teaching her theories and use of the Transeva. She gained great admiration and success following the miraculous recovery of Gondolier who, after being unsound, went on to win the Durban July (South Africa's most prestigious race) after treatments from Winks and her Transeva. The training of practitioners and the running of the Natal Rehabilitation Center was later passed down to her apprentice Beth Shaw who has since gained the same success and treats more than 200 horses a month, including Durban July winners.
Students from BSET Academy are now treated horses all over South Africa as well as in Zimbabwe and Nambia with great success. The Transeva has also made its debue in England and has even traveled across to Europe to treat top competition horses.
Charles Strong
Winks Greene
Beth Shaw