Red Light Therapy for Horses: How It Helps

Medically Reviewed by | Heidi Wright, BSN, RN, PCCN

Red light therapy has become increasingly popular in recent years as a way people can feel and look better. The benefits of red light therapy, however, are not just limited to people. Horse lovers are also finding that red light therapy benefits their horses. People are using red light therapy to manage their horses’ pain, speed healing, and improve their horses’ performance. With routine therapy sessions, we can help horses overcome hurdles (pun intended) to their performance and improve their quality of life in a non-invasive, holistic manner.

Red light therapy involves exposing a person or a horse to red, near-infrared (NIR), or infrared light. This type of therapy has been well studied and is believed to help stimulate cellular activity, promoting health benefits. Red light therapy has been shown to have numerous benefits for horses, including pain management, rehabilitation, and improved performance.

One of the reasons why red light therapy is such an important option for improving horses’ health is that it is a non-invasive and drug-free treatment option. This means that it can be a safer and more natural alternative to traditional veterinary treatments, which often involve medications and surgeries that can have negative side effects. Additionally, red light therapy can be used in combination with other therapies to enhance their effectiveness.

You may have heard about red light therapy for your horse from their veterinarian. Developed for animal use in the 1960s, it has grown in popularity in the realm of veterinary medicine, with many practitioners preferring it over other, more traditional therapies. Together, we’ll discuss how it works and what it can do to help your favorite trail friend or racehorse live a fuller, more healthful life.

How Does Red Light Therapy Work?

Red light therapy is a relatively new form of treatment. Developed by NASA as a means to help astronauts in orbit with wound healing, it uses red and infrared wavelengths of light that are thought to be absorbed by molecules that play an important role in cell metabolism. Science shows that each molecule or chemical absorbs different, specific wavelengths of light. Sometimes, red light therapy is referred to as LED light therapy, photobiomodulation, or low-level laser therapy (LLLT). These forms of light treatment may also include other wavelengths of light on the visible light spectrum and some from the invisible light spectrum. Red light, for instance, is visible, while the wavelengths of light used in infrared light therapy are invisible. 

Red and near-infrared light is thought to be absorbed by a chemical in cells called cytochrome C oxidase. This molecule plays a vital role in supporting mitochondria, small subcellular organs that produce energy within cells. The stimulation of cytochrome C oxidase is believed to stimulate energy production, leading to many of the benefits that people use it for.

The energy produced by the mitochondria in our cells is called ATP. When our cells make plenty of ATP, cellular functions are carried out quickly and efficiently. Over time, mammalian cells make less ATP, which can impair cellular performance. When our cells slow down, there’s a trickle-down effect on tissues, organs, and entire bodily systems. In other words, when there’s not enough ATP to help support cell function, mammalian bodies suffer as a result. 

While people and horses are obviously quite different from each other, we are actually quite similar at the cellular level. This means that the effects of red light on human cells will be pretty much the same for horses.

The increased energy production can help accelerate the healing process by promoting the growth and repair of damaged tissues. Additionally, red light therapy can also help improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and increase the production of collagen, which is an essential protein for skin, bone, and connective tissue health. In fact, if you’re familiar with red light therapy for human use, you might be most familiar with its ability to help support proper collagen production for skin benefits. 

Red light therapy is also believed to release nitric oxide in the cells, although the exact reason for this is not fully understood. Nitric oxide is a local vasodilator, meaning that it increases circulation in the areas where it is released. This can help to improve inflammation and decrease the time it takes to heal.

Ultimately, it is the combination of increased circulation and enhanced energy that is thought to be the reason that red light therapy offers such important benefits for humans and animals alike. Withmore cellular energy, increased blood flow, and oxygenation, cells work better, which translates into bodies that work better. 

Does Wavelength Matter?

When it comes to light therapy, size matters. Specific wavelengths of light are able to target specific physical concerns in your horse. For instance, visible red light has a measurable wavelength between 620 nm and 700 nm. NIR light has a wavelength of 800 nm-900 nm. 

While visible red light is indeed beneficial, certain benefits are only experienced at NIR light wavelengths. Both these and infrared wavelengths (which measure between 900 nm and 1,000 nm) are able to penetrate the skin more deeply than red light, reaching soft tissue injuries, muscles, and bones to help soothe pain, reduce inflammation, and promote healing and tissue regeneration. 

Be wary of devices (for human and animal use) that claim to offer muscle and bone pain management benefits but do not have the appropriate wavelength to even reach these tissues and provide any type of pain relief. 

What Are the Benefits of Red Light Therapy for Horses?

Red light therapy is gaining popularity in the world of equine health. It has been shown to have numerous benefits for the health and well-being of horses, just like it does for humans. From pain management to rehabilitation, improved performance, and more, red light therapy has been found to be a safe and effective treatment option for a wide range of equine conditions.

Pain Management

Red light therapy is becoming an increasingly popular treatment option for pain management in horses. It works by stimulating cellular activity, promoting healing, and reducing inflammation, all of which can help to alleviate pain. There are many types of horse pain that can be treated with red light therapy, including joint pain, muscle soreness, and back pain.

A 2021 study in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science showed that by using red light therapy, horses exhibited measurable changes that were consistent with improved pain. The same study also showed that using red light therapy caused neurological effects that slowed or inhibited pain signals.

Another journal article published in Veterinary Nursing Journal indicates that healing speeds may increase up to 60% when using red light therapy. Improved healing speeds will improve equestrian pain if it is related to an injury.

Red light therapy is a promising treatment option for horse pain management, with few side effects and the potential for significant improvements in quality of life. There is, however, still much research to be done on this topic. By promoting healing and reducing inflammation, red light therapy has the potential to help reduce the risk of injury and improve healing and strength if an injury has already occurred.

Common Injuries 

The use of red light therapy for common equine wounds and conditions is also increasing in popularity. Managing Navicular disease, a condition that affects the navicular bone in a horse’s ankle, with red light therapy may help your horse remain agile. This disease is common in riding horses over the age of eight and can ultimately lead to lameness.

Another common equine illness is laminitis, an inflammation of the tissue between the hoof and coffin bone which can lead to damage and severe pain. Exposing your horse’s hooves to red light therapy pads can help by stimulating cells, encouraging blood flow, and actively reducing inflammation in the wound. 

Horse owners who use red light therapy on these issues are able to give their animals care in a non-invasive, non-medicated way.

Rehabilitation

Multiple studies show that red light therapy can be a highly effective treatment option for horse rehabilitation. There are many types of horse injuries that can benefit from red light therapy, including tendon and ligament injuries, open wounds, and even post-surgical sites. Skin and soft tissue wounds are the most common form of wounds that horses typically encounter. Red light therapy has been shown to speed healing and decrease inflammation in these wounds.

A 2020 study in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science showed that red light therapy was effective for many rehabilitation-type applications, including treating pain, reducing hypertonicity and stiffness, and even augmenting chiropractic care. Another article published the same year in Veterinary Regenerative Medicine also showed that it could cause ligament and musculoskeletal injuries to heal faster.

There is a strong body of evidence suggesting red light therapy is a promising treatment option for horse rehabilitation. This is primarily due to its potential to significantly speed up the healing process and improve overall outcomes. By promoting cellular activity and circulation, red light therapy can help horses recover from injuries more quickly and get back to their normal routines.

Improved Performance

In addition to its therapeutic benefits, red light therapy is also thought to improve the performance of horses. Evidence shows that red light therapy can improve ranges of motion, reduce fatigue, and hasten recovery during conditioning.

While it is very likely that red light therapy improves horses’ performance, most of the research into using red light therapy is more focused on specific applications of red light therapy, not overall performance. As the field of red light therapy matures, however, it is likely that research will broaden to include a greater focus on overall performance and yield more data on this topic.

Red Light Therapy Equipment for Horses

The good news about providing red light therapy to horses is that you don’t need red light therapy panels specifically designed for horses. Medical-grade red light therapy panels for humans will work just as well for horses as they will for humans. While some red light therapy panels may advertise that they are designed specifically for horses, this is more marketing than it is anything else.

That being said, there may be horse-specific considerations for the equipment that you use. Even though red light therapy works the same for humans and horses, horses are much larger and can’t follow directions. They also are not able to understand why red light therapy is important and may be spooked by the light.

Three strategies can be used to compensate for the size of horses:

1. The first is to use several large red light panels positioned in a way that will irradiate the entire horse, even if it changes position.
2. Another strategy is to use a red light wrap that can be applied to a specific body part and will remain on the horse even if it changes position.
3. The third strategy is using a handheld device and holding it for the duration of therapy.

The type of strategy that you use will depend on the surface area being treated, the availability of equipment, and the time of the person providing the treatment.

When choosing red light therapy equipment for your horse, it's important to consider factors such as the intensity of the light, the coverage area, and the overall effectiveness of the equipment. It's also important to consult with your veterinarian to ensure that the equipment you choose is safe and appropriate for your horse's specific needs.

How to Administer Red Light Therapy to Horses

Administering red light therapy to horses is a straightforward process for someone familiar with working around horses, but there are some facts that it is important to keep in mind to ensure that the therapy is safe and effective.

Some important principles to keep in mind include:

• Following the manufacturers’ instructions. For example, some devices can be applied directly against the skin while others may not.
• Positioning the horse. Depending on the type of source used, the horse must be positioned where it will be at a constant distance from the light sources.
• Avoiding waste products. It is important to keep in mind that horses may produce waste products during therapy that could damage the devices or cause electrical risks.
• Decreasing anxiety from therapy. Depending on the specific animal, you may want to build up their exposure to the therapy devices and decondition their fears before administering therapy.

Additionally, a study published in the Irish Veterinary Journal suggests that preparing the skin by clipping the hair in the area, cleaning it with alcohol, and ensuring the skin is dry may improve the effectiveness of treatment.

Developing a red light therapy treatment plan for your horse is also an important part of administering the therapy. This may involve working with your veterinarian to determine the appropriate treatment duration, frequency, and intensity based on your horse's specific needs. You should generally start with shorter treatment sessions and gradually increase the duration and intensity over time to ensure that the horse responds well to the therapy.

Mito Red Light Can Help You Get Started

A 2023 study in Animals found that the scientific evidence that red light therapy actually benefits horses is inconclusive. The study further found, however, that the reason for this finding was variation in light quality used. This study highlights the importance of using high-quality red light therapy sources to actually provide effective treatments.

Why Mito Red Light?

You’ve got options for red light therapy treatment for both yourself and your animals. While you may be able to find specialized equipment designed specifically for your horse, why not invest in a red light therapy product that can be used by your horse, your dog, the cat, and even your family members? 

At Mito Red Light, we make red light therapy products that are high-quality, effective, research-backed, and client-reviewed so that you can trust that what we offer will support every member of your family, including the hooved ones. 

Our Lights

From panels to pads, belts to pods, our devices are practical, space-conscious, and deliver more diodes per square inch than our competitors. You’ll never have to worry about dead space when using our devices or question whether the light-emitting diodes are equipped with the right wavelengths of light for your needs. 

Our Testing

Our lights are third-party tested and diagnostically tested to ensure our RLT products are within the therapeutic window of treatment as defined by scientific testing and research. This means that you can trust that what we say about our devices and the strength and spectrum of their lights is accurate. 

Accessibility 

Getting red light therapy to your horse can be a challenge. A hock injury or a leg sprain can be difficult to access. We offer the widest selection of red light therapy devices in sizes and configurations that can fit any space, need, and budget. 

Advanced Technology

Even though some devices are specifically designed for equine use, they may not deliver the wide spectrum of light wavelengths that our devices can, which means they can’t offer as much benefit to your horse. 

Our devices are specially formatted with Enhanced Spectral Energy Output™, a technology that delivers energy across all spectrums of red and NIR light. Our MitoPRO series offers multi-wavelengths that give you access to even more spectrums of red and NIR light and contains an even split of the four peak action spectra LEDs for even coverage. This eliminates “polka-dot” coverage which is specifically beneficial for animals who may move during treatment. 

Combined with our risk-free 60-day trial and superior customer service, Mito Red Light is ahead of the competition and offers the best value for your money.

We provide a variety of red light therapy products that can be applied to meet your equestrian needs. We welcome you to review our selection of high qualityred light therapy devices or to contact one of our representatives at 1-866-861-MITO (6486) to learn how we can meet your needs.

Red Light for Your Hooved Friends

Your horse is a part of your family, and you expect to be able to care for them the best you can. When they are injured or hurting, reach for the option that is non-invasive and can give them relief without causing them more discomfort. Red light therapy helps your favorite horse feel better faster. 

Related Articles:

• What Is Red and Near Infrared (NIR) Light Therapy?
• Red Light Therapy Buyer’s Guide
• Everything You Need to Know About Red Light Therapy and SKIN

DISCLAIMER: Mito Red Light devices are Class II wellness devices aimed at affecting the body through topical heating and supporting cellular function. The information provided in this article and on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to imply effectiveness of Mito Red Light devices for any specific application. The information provided in this article and on this site is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, is not a substitute for consultation with a licensed medical provider and should not be construed as medical advice. Click here to read our article on potential contraindications of red light therapy..

Sources:

The History of Laser Therapy|Online Library.Wiley.com

Laminitis | School of Veterinary Medicine|VetMed.UcDavis.edu