Performance horses are elite athletes. Whether they’re racehorses, show jumpers, eventers, dressage horses, or endurance competitors, their muscles, tendons, and ligaments are placed under enormous strain. Repeated training, racing, and competition can lead to muscle fatigue, tendon stress, and ongoing inflammation if recovery isn’t managed well.
To support soundness and longevity, many trainers and veterinarians are now turning to red light therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation (PBM), as part of modern equine care.
This article explains how red light therapy works in horses, what the research suggests, and why it’s becoming a trusted recovery and performance tool in the equine world.
Why Recovery Matters So Much for Performance Horses
Unlike humans, horses can’t tell us when something feels “not quite right”. Early muscle soreness or tendon strain often shows up subtly as:
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Reduced stride length
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Reluctance to work forward
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Stiffness after exercise
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Changes in behaviour or performance
If these early signs are missed, minor soft tissue stress can progress into significant injury.
Supporting recovery between training sessions is essential for:
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Reducing injury risk
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Maintaining consistent performance
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Extending a horse’s competitive career
This is where red light therapy can make a meaningful difference.
What Is Red Light Therapy for Horses?
Red light therapy uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light that penetrate the skin and reach muscles, tendons, and connective tissues — without heat or discomfort.
When applied to a horse:
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Light is absorbed by cells
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Mitochondrial activity increases (more cellular energy)
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Blood flow and tissue repair processes are supported
Low-level laser therapy is:
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Non-invasive
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Drug-free
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Safe for repeated use
Most horses tolerate treatments extremely well, often standing quietly or relaxing during sessions.
How Red Light Therapy Supports Equine Performance & Recovery
1. Reduces Muscle Fatigue After Training or Racing
Intense exercise creates microscopic muscle damage and metabolic stress. Research into photobiomodulation shows it can:
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Improve mitochondrial efficiency
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Reduce oxidative stress
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Support faster muscle recovery
This means horses may feel less sore and stiff, allowing them to recover more comfortably between sessions.
2. Supports Tendon & Ligament Health
Tendons and ligaments are among the most vulnerable tissues in performance horses, particularly in racing and jumping disciplines.
Photobiomodulation has been shown to:
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Support collagen production
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Improve tissue organisation during healing
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Reduce excessive inflammatory responses
Research published in the Journal of Animal Science highlights how light-based therapies can positively influence muscle and connective tissue function in animals under physical load.
This makes red light therapy especially valuable for managing tendon strain before it becomes a serious injury.
3. Helps Manage Post-Training Inflammation
Inflammation is a normal response to training, but when it lingers, it increases the risk of breakdown.
Red light therapy helps:
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Modulate inflammatory pathways
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Improve local circulation
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Support natural healing without suppressing adaptation
Importantly, it does this without relying on medications, making it suitable for long-term use in competition horses.
Common Equine Uses for Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy is commonly used to support:
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Muscle tightness and soreness
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Tendon and ligament strain
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Back and neck discomfort
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Post-exercise recovery
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Rehabilitation following soft tissue injury
It is most effective when combined with good training management, veterinary oversight, and appropriate exercise programs.
A Common Trainer Experience
Many trainers feel unsure at first.
They’ve felt sceptical about whether a “light-based” therapy can really help large, powerful animals.
What they often find is that horses receiving regular laser therapy recover more smoothly, show less post-work stiffness, and maintain better consistency across training blocks.
It doesn’t replace good horsemanship — it supports it.
Using Red Light Therapy in the Stable or Clinic
Advances in technology now allow clinical-grade pulsed low-level laser therapy to be used outside specialist facilities.
The Pulse Low-Level Laser Therapy device is designed to deliver targeted wavelengths used in musculoskeletal research and can be incorporated into equine care routines under professional guidance.
Always consult a veterinarian or qualified equine professional before starting any new therapy.
Is Red Light Therapy Safe for Horses?
When used correctly:
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Treatments are painless
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Side effects are rare
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Therapy can be used long term
This makes LLLT suitable for elite performance horses, younger horses in training, and ageing competitors alike.
The Future of Equine Sports Medicine
Modern equine sports medicine is shifting toward:
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Injury prevention, not just treatment
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Supporting recovery quality, not just workload
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Balancing performance with welfare and longevity
Red light therapy fits perfectly into this approach, offering a science-supported, horse-friendly way to manage muscle fatigue, tendon stress, and inflammation.
Supporting Performance and Longevity in Equine Athletes
From racehorses to elite performance horses, red light therapy is becoming an important tool for recovery, soundness, and long-term athletic health.
Used consistently and responsibly, low-level laser therapy can help horses:
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Recover more comfortably
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Stay sound for longer
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Perform at their best across demanding training and competition schedules
For owners and trainers focused on both results and welfare, red light therapy represents a smart, forward-thinking addition to equine care.
References:
Ashley Rosenkrans, Carson Freeman, Erin L Oberhaus, Palika Dias Morse, Charles Rosenkrans, 122 Physiological effects of low level laser therapy on exercised horses, Journal of Animal Science, Volume 98, Issue Supplement_2, November 2020, Pages 80–81, https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skz397.189
