Red light therapy is an excellent way to help heal injuries and get your horse feeling good. The light therapy itself involves specific light focused on various parts of the body. Red has a low frequency and large wavelength in the light spectrum that penetrates tissue layers, safely and effectively preventing and healing injuries. Light panels or pads are used in various parts of the equipment to expose the horse to safe and targeted red light that is specifically targeted to the part of your horse’s body you are treating.
Red light therapy is an excellent way to prevent strains or soreness before and after exercise. It is a great way for owners to give their horses some relief and help heal these ailments as part of their daily routine.
How Red Light Therapy Works
Red light therapy works by absorbing red light into multiple layers of soft tissue, speeding up the formation of new capillaries, which improves circulation and blood flow. It can help speed up the healing of soft tissue injuries, wounds, or other causes of inflammation. Collagen is also increased when light therapy is used, which reduces the buildup of scar tissue during the healing process.
Red light therapy can treat common equine injuries and problems:
Arthritis
Laminitis
Scaphoid
Tendon injuries
Bone bruises
Lacerations
Abscesses
Muscle strains and swellings
Inflammation
Back or neck pain
Wounds, scrapes, cuts
Light therapy also releases endorphins, which help relax muscles and relieve pain. However, some riders say that light therapy has a natural calming effect on their horses, which can be especially beneficial before training or competition and when horses are resting in the stable due to injuries.
How often should you use red light therapy on your horse?
You can use red light therapy on your horse every day! Whether it’s for treating an injury or maintenance, it’s generally recommended to treat once or twice a day for 20-30 minutes each time. You can use red light therapy before, after, and before a massage or treatment.
Pre-Exercise: Use before daily training to relax tight muscles, tendons, and joints. For example, if your horse is prone to stiffness, tension, or back or neck pain, red light therapy can help them feel relaxed and warmed up before stepping into the arena.
Post-Exercise: This equine light therapy can help them recover from daily use, prevent soreness, and keep your horse relaxed and away from inflammation and dark damage.
Pre-Massage or Treatment: Using this equine light therapy before a massage or treatment can help your horse relax during the treatment and make it easier for the masseuse or therapist to understand what they’re about to do.
Benefits of Red Light Therapy for Horses
The benefits of red light therapy for horses seem endless. Here are just a few ways red light therapy can benefit your horse:
Pain relief
Inflammation relief
Immune system stimulation
Deep wound healing
Tissue regeneration
Faster treatment of skin conditions, hair loss, scrapes, cuts and wounds
Effective treatment of hoof problems – laminitis, hoof bones, abscesses and ring bones
Effective treatment of back pain, shoulder pain, strains, splints, knee problems, tendons and ligaments
Finding the Best Red Light Therapy for Horses
With so many benefits of red light therapy, horse owners don’t have to contact a veterinarian to get this treatment done. There are many great products on the market that can heal wounds, help with chronic conditions, and keep your horse relaxed and comfortable. You can contact us to purchase the right red light therapy products for your horse.