Equine Red Light Therapy: Helping Horses Heal and Thrive

In a quiet barn outside Austin, Texas, a horse named Maggie walks again without a limp—for the first time in six months.

Maggie, a 12-year-old mare, had suffered a tendon injury that didn’t fully heal despite months of rest and traditional treatment. Her owner, Jenny, was devastated. Then a fellow horse owner introduced her to Equine Red Light Therapy.

“I thought it was some Instagram wellness trend for people,” Jenny laughs. “But then I saw the results. Within two weeks, Maggie was more comfortable, and the swelling reduced significantly.”

What Is Red Light Therapy for Horses?

Red Light Therapy uses LED panels or pads that emit specific wavelengths—primarily red (660nm) and near-infrared (850nm) light. These wavelengths penetrate the skin and stimulate cellular energy production, which in turn:

Accelerates tissue repair
Reduces pain and inflammation
Enhances blood flow

It’s completely non-invasive and can be done right in the barn.

More Than Just Recovery

While injury recovery is a popular use, equine therapists also apply RLT for:

Joint stiffness in senior horses
Soothing post-competition fatigue
Managing chronic inflammatory conditions like arthritis

Some show riders even use red light pads before events to “wake up” key muscle groups.

How to Use It

Most owners use wireless, rechargeable red light pads that strap easily to the horse’s legs, back, or neck. A 15- to 20-minute session a few times per week is often enough to make a difference.