Red Light Therapy for Horses: Best Practices

Red light therapy (RLT) is a powerful tool for supporting your horse's health. Certain wavelengths of light and irradiances can stimulate mitochondrial activity in your horse's cells, leading to benefits that can be applied almost anywhere in the body. However, achieving optimal results requires proper application and safety precautions. Here are best practices to ensure maximum efficacy and safety when using red light therapy for horses.

Red light therapy is also known as LLLT (low level light/laser therapy), phototherapy, and photobiomodulation. It can also sometimes be used to include near-infrared light therapy.

Prepping the Area

1. Remove any objects blocking your target area. For example, if you are treating the poll and TMJ of your horse, you need to remove the halter before applying the therapy. If you are using our Happy Hat Poll Cap, move any forelock and mane out of the way before putting it on. If you plan on treating the legs, make sure to remove any boots or wraps.

2. (Optional) Clip the area. Clipping the area allows easier penetration of light to the skin and structures underneath.

3. Clean the area. To ensure maximum penetration of light, the area needs to be clear of dirt, dust, and any kind of debris. You may also use an alcohol wipe to further clean the area. One study found that clipping the legs and wiping the area with alcohol resulted in significantly better transmission of light through the superficial flexor tendon.

Positioning the Light

1. If you are treating a wound that is still in the process of healing, position the diodes one (1) inch away from the wound. Do not make direct contact. Touching an open wound unnecessarily could lead to irritation or infection.

2. If the skin is not broken, you can make direct contact between the diodes and skin/fur of the horse. This ensures maximum penetration. If your device is an LED, this is especially important, as LED light diffuses more the further away it travels.

3. Cover the full area you wish to treat. If you are using a wearable device, this is as simple as wrapping it snugly around your desired area (leg, head, neck, back, hoof). If you have a torch or other handheld device, you will need to hold it in the same place or move it slowly over your desired area.

Ideal Settings

1. Wavelength Selection

   • Red Light (620-660 nm): Ideal for superficial issues like wounds, scars, and skin conditions. It stimulates collagen production and enhances skin repair.

   • Near-Infrared Light (810-850 nm): Best for deeper tissues such as muscles, joints, and tendons. This wavelength penetrates deeper, making it suitable for addressing arthritis, muscle soreness, or ligament injuries.

   

   Red light is most effective acting upon the skin, while near-infrared can target what's below - fasciae, muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, and more.

2. Irradiance Levels

   • Use a device with an irradiance between 50-120 mW/cm² for therapeutic applications. Higher irradiance levels deliver more energy in less time but must be monitored closely to avoid overheating.

3. Treatment Duration

   • Typical sessions last between 5-30 minutes per area, depending on the condition being treated. Follow the guidelines set by the manufacturer for your device as this will depend on the device's power.

4. Pulsed vs. Continuous Mode

   • Continuous Mode: Most suitable for immediate pain management, as it triggers an inhibitory response. It will also reduce short-term inflammation and contribute to cellular repair.

   • Pulsed Mode: Best for use when cellular repair is the goal. There is evidence that suggests pulsed light is more effective in increasing ATP in cells and encouraging healing than continuous light.

     
     

Contraindications in Horses

1. Active Cancer or Tumors

   - Reason: Light therapy can stimulate cellular activity, which might accelerate the growth of malignant cells or tumors.

   - Precaution: Avoid using light therapy over known or suspected cancerous lesions, including melanomas.

2. Areas of Active Hemorrhage

   - Reason: Light therapy can increase local blood circulation, potentially exacerbating bleeding.

   - Precaution: Do not use light therapy over sites with active or recent bleeding.

3. Photosensitive Medications or Conditions

   - Some horses may be photosensitive due to certain medical conditions or medications, leading to an exaggerated skin or systemic response. Consult with a veterinarian if the horse is on photosensitizing medications (e.g., sulfa drugs or tetracyclines).

4. Hyperthyroidism

   - Light therapy promotes cellular activity by stimulating mitochondrial function and ATP production. Over the thyroid, this could potentially exacerbate the overproduction of thyroid hormones in hyperthyroidism.

5. Active Fever or Infection

   - Light therapy should never be used as a treatment for systemic illness.

All Done!

Make sure to clean your devices after every use, especially if you treat multiple horses. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning your specific device!

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