Laser Therapy for Wound Healing in Horses
- Cottage Farm Team
- Aug 25
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 29
Laser therapy is a cutting-edge treatment method that utilizes advanced technology to heal and alleviate pain in horses. The process is non-invasive and involves harnessing the power of light energy to stimulate the body's natural healing process. The laser system is carefully calibrated to emit specific wavelengths of light that penetrate the skin and target the affected area.
How does it work?
During a treatment session, the laser is applied to the skin in a circular or back-and-forth motion next to or up to 1-2 inches away from the affected area. The duration of the treatment and the number of sessions required will depend on the severity of the condition and the horse's response to treatment. Sometimes, a single session may be enough to produce significant improvements, while multiple sessions may be required in others.
Before starting a session, I will determine the appropriate protocol based on the horse's individual needs, taking into account any contraindications that may require modifications to the treatment plan.
Benefits of Laser Therapy in Horses
Overall, laser therapy is a safe, effective, and non-invasive treatment option that offers many benefits for horses. By stimulating the body's natural healing process, it can help with:
Reduces pain: Laser therapy can decrease nerve sensitivity and stimulate the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, providing relief from discomfort.
Decreases inflammation and swelling by increasing blood flow and activating the lymphatic drainage system, it helps reduce inflammation and swelling caused by injuries.
Accelerates healing: The light energy stimulates cellular repair and regeneration, increasing the energy available to cells and speeding up the healing of soft tissues, wounds, and burns.
Improves circulation: It increases the formation of new capillaries, boosting blood flow to damaged tissue, which accelerates the healing process.
Minimizes scar tissue by promoting healthier tissue regeneration, laser therapy helps to reduce the formation of fibrous scar tissue.
Enhances muscle function: Increased circulation and tissue repair can support muscle elasticity and reduce stiffness, making it beneficial for performance horses. pain and inflammation
Helps with joint pain, muscle strains, and wounds.
Common Applications
Musculoskeletal Injuries: Treat soft tissue injuries such as torn tendons and ligaments, as well as joint and muscle pain and spasms.
Wound Care: Accelerates the healing of both acute and chronic wounds, including surgical incisions, traumatic injuries, and burns.
Arthritis and Joint Problems: Provides long-term pain relief and improves the range of motion for horses suffering from osteoarthritis and degenerative joint diseases.
Laser Acupuncture: Stimulate acupuncture points. The laser delivers light energy to specific acupuncture points, which are areas of high nerve and blood vessel concentration, to stimulate the nervous system.
Treatment with Laser Therapy
I have included a few photos of one of our own horses, 31-year-old Petie, a retired Polo pony, who we think was bitten by a spider or a snake. After a veterinarian examined Petie to exclude dental problems or a fractured jaw, I decided on a treatment schedule using a couple of modalities, including laser.
I used the laser on an inflammation setting for the first few days, cleaning and debriding the area of any necrotic skin.
It's also important to know when to use a wet or dry dressing depending on how the wound edges start to knit together.
That is where my few years as a dermatology and surgical assistant became useful.
The face has a good blood supply, which is a key to wound healing.
After those first few days, I changed to a wound-healing setting.
The overall result took about six weeks, but I think you will agree that you would not know it ever happened.
Are you having trouble with wound healing with your horse? Reach out to Cottage Farm Therapy & Wellness and try laser therapy to heal your horse with excellent results. Any questions, reach out to Sally at 352-895-8525. Book your appointment today!
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