Laser Therapy for Horses: Uses, Protocols & Side Effects

Laser therapy, also known as photobiomodulation, low-level laser therapy (LLLT), and cold laser therapy, is a rehabilitative therapy commonly used in physiotherapy for treating injuries. Given its purported effects and non-invasive nature, there is growing interest in this treatment modality within the equine community.

By focusing light energy on targeted areas, laser therapy manages pain, reduces inflammation, and accelerates tissue repair, making it a valuable tool in a rehabilitation setting.

While there is limited research on its effectiveness in horses, laser therapy is gaining popularity. Owners and caretakers should familiarize themselves with how laser therapy works when trying to assess whether their horse is a good candidate for this modality.

Read on to learn more about the fundamentals of laser therapy, including its mechanisms, benefits, and practical applications in equine medicine.

What is Laser Therapy for Horses?

Laser therapy is a relatively modern, non-invasive medical treatment that uses concentrated light energy to stimulate and enhance the body’s natural healing processes. As a non-invasive treatment, it differs from surgery and medication by avoiding incisions or drug administration. ^[1]

Laser therapy utilizes a specific wavelength of concentrated light energy to penetrate the skin and superficial tissues. The objective is to trigger cellular responses that: ^[1]

• Aid pain relief
• Reduce inflammation
• Accelerate the body’s repair process

Laser therapy employs specialized machines that produce highly focused beams of light at precise wavelengths. When the laser light is directed at a specific area of the horse’s body, it penetrates the skin and is absorbed by the cells within the targeted area. ^[1]

Benefits for Horses

Laser therapy produces a wide range of biological effects that are expected to have therapeutic benefits in horses. These effects stem from the interaction between laser light and cellular structures, resulting in significant physiological changes that enhance healing and alleviate discomfort.

Pain Relief

One of the most immediate benefits of laser therapy is pain relief, which is achieved through several mechanisms: ^[1][2]

• Increased serotonin and beta-endorphin release: Laser therapy is capable of stimulating the release of beta-endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers. It also stimulates serotonin release, the so-called “feel good hormone.” Together, these effects contribute to pain reduction.
• Enhanced acetylcholine activity: Acetylcholine plays a vital role in both autonomic nervous system pathways and peripheral muscle function. By increasing acetylcholine activity, laser therapy decreases the discharge frequency of excitatory neurons and increases that of inhibitory neurons, leading to reduced pain perception.
• Anti-inflammatory effects: Laser therapy indirectly alleviates pain by reducing inflammation, which is a common source of discomfort in injured tissues.

Reduces Inflammation

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or infection and plays a central role in wound healing. However, chronic or excessive inflammation can hinder the healing process and cause significant discomfort, along with other issues.

Laser therapy mitigates inflammation by increasing blood flow and circulation to the affected area, which clears waste from the inflammatory response and provides fresh immune cells to the injury site. ^[1]

Promotes Healing

The healing of tissues involves: ^[1][2]

• Cell proliferation
• Collagen synthesis
• Tissue remodeling

Laser therapy can accelerate these processes by: ^[1][2]

• Promoting cell proliferation: Laser therapy stimulates the natural division and growth of cells essential for tissue repair.
• Stimulating collagen production: Collagen is a primary component of connective tissues. Increased collagen synthesis strengthens repaired tissues, improving their resilience and function.
• Accelerating tissue repair: By boosting cellular activity and energy availability, laser therapy can decrease the time required for tissues to heal.

Uses

To date, laser therapy has been used in the following cases for equine rehabilitation: ^[1][2][3]

• Lameness
• Osteoarthritis
• Laminitis
• Chronic back pain
• Post-surgery wound care
• Tendonitis
• Chronic wounds
• Ligament and tendon issues

Indications & Limitations

Laser therapy should not be viewed as a standalone treatment or a “magic bullet,” but rather as one component of a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to the horse’s specific needs.

It’s important to work with a veterinarian when determining a rehabilitation program for your horse. Working with unqualified practitioners is unsafe and can lead to further injury.

Key considerations to take into account prior to starting laser therapy with your horse include:

• Diagnostic assessment: An accurate diagnosis of the horse’s condition is the first step in determining whether laser therapy is appropriate for the specific case. Understanding the underlying cause of pain or injury is necessary to develop an effective treatment plan.
• Integration with other veterinary therapies: Laser therapy can aid other treatments such as physical therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, pharmacological, and surgical interventions. Coordinating these therapies ensures a holistic approach to the horse’s health.
• Individualized treatment plan: Each horse is unique and can have varying responses to treatment. By customizing laser therapy parameters — such as wavelength, dosage, and treatment duration — laser therapists can ensure that the therapy aligns with the horse’s specific needs.
• Practitioner qualifications and reputation: The best way to find a qualified practitioner is by recommendation from a licensed veterinarian. In some cases, laser therapy practitioners may be qualified veterinarians themselves.

Wound Care

Laser therapy may be used in the treatment of different types of wounds in horses and other animals. ^[1][4] The treatment approach can be tailored depending on the nature and severity of the wound.

Generally, laser treatment is an option for the following types of wound care: ^[1]

• “Clean” wounds
• Chronic or infected wounds
• Traumatic wounds
• Degloving injuries

Laser therapy should be combined with other veterinary protocols like proper bandaging, pain management, and antibiotics, regardless of the wound type. ^[1]

Clean Wounds

Simple, clean wounds, such as surgical incisions, typically respond well to a single laser therapy session. The session should be administered during the surgical recovery period. This treatment can enhance the healing process by reducing inflammation and promoting cell regeneration, leading to faster and more efficient recovery. ^[1]

Chronic or Infected Wounds

Chronic, granulomatous, and infected wounds are more complex than clean surgical incisions and often require a longer and more aggressive laser therapy regimen. ^[1]

In the initial phases of recovery, daily treatments are recommended in conjunction with standard therapies such as thorough wound cleaning and antibiotic treatment. Given the severity of these kinds of lesions, high doses of laser therapy may be necessary to achieve results. ^[1]

Traumatic Wounds & Burns

Traumatic wounds can present several complications, as the full extent of the damage may not be apparent until several days after the injury. In addition, pressure damage, crushing injuries, and thermal burns can actually worsen over time. In cases of ongoing damage from toxins (e.g., venomous snake bites), these can exacerbate the injury. ^[1]

To address these kinds of wounds effectively, laser therapy should be applied not only to the visible wound but also to the broader surrounding area to include zones of potentially unseen damage. This approach ensures that both the primary injury and any secondary complications are within the treatment zone. ^[1]

Degloving Injuries

This type of severe injury is characterized by extensive loss of skin and soft tissue, and typically requires ongoing therapy for weeks or longer. Laser therapy can benefit horses with degloving injuries as it can accelerate the rate of epithelialization (i.e. development of new skin) and prevent potential infections. ^[1]

As with traumatic wounds, it is important to treat the entire affected area, as well as a margin of healthy tissue surrounding the wound, to ensure optimal healing. ^[1]

Musculoskeletal Disorders and Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis in horses is a progressive and complex condition that involves the interaction of several biochemical and biomechanical factors. This condition leads to joint degeneration, resulting in cartilage degradation and changes in the horse’s bones and other soft tissues. Osteoarthritis can be either primary or secondary to a traumatic injury. ^[5]

Current veterinary strategies for managing osteoarthritis primarily focus on controlling pain, improving joint function, and minimizing the functional limitations of affected horses. Interventions include: ^[1][6]

• Weight management
• Pain medication
• Physiotherapy
• Surgical intervention
• Nutritional support
• Controlled exercise

Laser therapy is used alongside conventional veterinary medicine to treat osteoarthritis, as its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects can reduce the need for medications, minimizing the risk of side effects from long-term drug use. ^[1][2]

The effectiveness of laser therapy for osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions depends on the case and treatment consistency. Frequent sessions are recommended initially for both acute and chronic pain, including osteoarthritis. ^[1][2]

During this phase, treatments are usually given every other day until a noticeable improvement is seen. For acute pain, daily treatments are recommended for faster relief. ^[1][2]

Efficacy

The effectiveness of laser therapy depends on the frequency and duration of treatment sessions, as well as the individual case. Outcomes vary based on a number of factors, including: ^[1]

• Severity of the condition: Severe injuries or chronic conditions may require more frequent and prolonged sessions to achieve the desired results.
• Response to treatment: Some horses may respond quickly to laser therapy and need fewer sessions, while others may require a greater number of sessions to manage their condition effectively.
• Treatment protocols: The treating veterinarian designs a specific treatment protocol for horses receiving laser therapy based on clinical guidelines and emerging evidence. The impact of laser treatment within these protocols varies based on the individual case and details of the protocol.

Side Effects & Contraindications

While laser therapy for horses is generally considered safe, there are specific contraindications and precautions that must be considered to ensure safety.

These involve risks associated with: ^[1]

• Eye exposure
• Specific medications
• Pregnancy

Eye exposure

The most critical contraindication for laser therapy is the risk of direct or indirect (reflected) laser exposure to the horse’s eyes. ^[1]

Laser light, when focused directly through the pupil onto the retina, can cause severe and irreversible damage to the horse’s eye. Prevention strategies involve protecting the eyes by covering them with a dark cloth or specialized protective eyewear during treatment. ^[1]

Additionally, reflective surfaces in the treatment area (e.g., stainless steel veterinary tables) should be covered with non-reflective materials. Further, safety protocols require that all potential sources of reflected laser energy, such as mirrors and jewelry, are kept out of the treatment area to minimize the risk of accidental eye exposure. ^[1]

Medications

Laser therapy should not be implemented on areas where local vaccines or other medications have been recently injected. Laser therapy should be delayed until the injected substance has had sufficient time for uptake and is completely dispersed from the area. ^[1]

This recommendation is intended to mitigate any impact the vasodilating effects of laser therapy might have on absorption of these substances, potentially affecting their pharmacological effect. ^[1]

Pregnancy

Applying laser therapy over the uterus of a pregnant horse is contraindicated and should be avoided completely. The potential risks to fetal development are not fully understood but warrant caution. ^[1]

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Safety & Regulations

Lasers are classified by their potential hazard levels, from Class 1 (minimal risk) to Class 4 (high risk), and corresponding safety measures vary accordingly. Class 1 lasers, such as those in grocery scanners, pose little danger, while Class 4 lasers can cause significant eye and skin injuries and even fire hazards. ^[1]

Medical laser safety is critical in any laser therapy program. Practitioners must implement safety protocols, including protective eyewear and controlled environments, to prevent harm to horses being treated.

In the United States, several organizations contribute to the development of safety standards for lasers, including: ^[1]

• The American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
• The Laser Institute of America (LIA)
• The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)

Reputable practitioners comply with local safety regulations and should be able to explain which safety procedures are in place and where to find more information. Asking questions about safety protocols may help owners evaluate the standard of care at a particular practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about laser therapy for horses:

Summary

Interest in laser therapy for horses is growing as a complement for conventional veterinary treatments for injury recovery. This non-invasive method uses focused light energy to manage pain, promote healing, and reduce inflammation.

• Purported benefits of laser therapy for horses include pain relief, accelerated healing, and reduced inflammation.
• Laser therapy may be effective for various equine conditions such as lameness, osteoarthritis, laminitis, chronic back pain, and wound care.
• Proper application of laser therapy involves seeking veterinary guidance on treatment plans, customizing protocols to individual needs, and following safety guidelines.
• The effectiveness of laser therapy is influenced by session frequency, severity of the condition, and the horse's response.
• Always work with a qualified practitioner before starting adjunct therapies for your horse.