Support Your Horse's Comfort, Movement, & Wellbeing
Explore Light Therapy for Horses
"Decoding Your Horse"
Can You Read Your Horse?
How Does Light Therapy Work for My Horse?
He Shows No Lameness! Hank's Story:
On April 24, 2024, an F3 tornado moved through Hank’s pasture, causing extensive damage and scattering debris throughout the area.
Hank sustained multiple injuries during the storm, including a deep puncture wound to his back that extended into his abdominal cavity.
Reflecting on Hank’s recovery, his owner, Berg, described his condition this way:
“Other than some scars, he shows no lameness. He canters around like nothing happened.”
How Was Light Incorporated Into His Care?
During Hank’s recovery, light therapy was incorporated into his care using applications that included:
- Vitality points
- Hips and lower back
- Selected acupuncture points
Hank’s story illustrates one way light therapy was incorporated into his recovery and ongoing care. Every horse and injury is different, and veterinary assessment and appropriate medical care remain essential.
Targeted Photopuncture with the Light Pod
Photopuncture applies light to selected acupuncture points, bringing together traditional point-based approaches and the science of light therapy.
Light application to an individual point may take as little as 15–30 seconds, depending on the application, device settings, and protocol.
The Pod can be held by hand for targeted applications or positioned on the horse when appropriate and in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Its compact design makes it a versatile option for working with individual points and smaller areas.
Broad-Area Light Therapy with the Wrap
Its flexible design conforms to areas such as legs, joints, and larger muscle groups, delivering red and near-infrared light across the selected area.
Sessions are typically around 20 minutes, depending on the application, device settings, and light therapy protocol.
The Wrap offers a hands-free option for broader-area applications, while the Light Pod is designed for more targeted work with individual points and smaller areas.
How it Works
Light Therapy & Your Horse's Biology
When light photons enter the body, they can be absorbed by cellular structures, including components of the mitochondria. This interaction can influence cellular signaling and energy production and initiate a cascade of physiological responses.
What Happens Beneath the Surface?
1. Cellular Energy
Photobiomodulation can influence mitochondrial activity and the production of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy currency used by cells. Cellular energy is fundamental to the many processes required for normal cellular function.
2. Circulation
PBM can influence vascular activity and circulation in the area receiving light. Increased local blood flow can support the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissues and the removal of metabolic byproducts.
3. Inflammatory Response
Photobiomodulation influences cellular processes associated with the body's inflammatory response. This is one reason PBM has been extensively studied in relation to inflammation, tissue response, and recovery.
4. Pain
PBM has been studied for its effects on pain and the physiological processes associated with pain. Its effects on circulation, cellular signaling, and inflammatory response can all be relevant when light therapy is incorporated into a horse's care.
5. Acupuncture Point Applications
Light can also be applied to specific acupuncture points. Photopuncture combines the principles of acupuncture point application with light therapy, providing a non-invasive way to stimulate selected points with light.
In Simple Terms
Light provides a signal that interacts with the body's cells and tissues. The wavelength, power, dose, timing, and application all influence how that signal is delivered.
Understanding these principles helps explain why different light therapy systems and applications can be used in different ways.
The Quality of Your Light Matters
Equine Light Therapy Devices
When it comes to light therapy, the device you use matters.
CHI offers professional-quality light therapy systems selected for their specifications, versatility, construction, and application capabilities. Understanding the differences between devices—including wavelength, power density, pulsing, treatment area, and application method—helps you choose the right tool for your horse.
From targeted photopuncture with the Oral IQ Light Pod to broader-area applications with the Oral IQ Light Wrap, each device offers different capabilities for different needs.
Explore the specifications below to find the system that fits your needs.
COMMON USES
Light Therapy and Photopuncture can be incorporated into a variety of equine wellness and care applications. Photobiomodulation is being studied for its interactions with cellular processes involved in circulation, inflammatory responses, and pain.
Applications vary depending on the horse, the area being addressed, and the light therapy system and protocol used.
Explore some of the areas where light therapy may be incorporated into an equine wellness routine.
Meet Your Guide
Studies & Research
Photobiomodulation (PBM) has been studied in both human and animal research, including investigations into wound healing, inflammatory responses, tissue recovery, and the biological mechanisms of light therapy.
The selected studies below offer a starting point for exploring the science behind PBM. Research findings vary by application, wavelength, dose, and study design, so results should be considered within their specific context.
