Red Light Therapy Usage & Application Guidelines for Horses

This page provides general guidance on how red and near-infrared light therapy is commonly applied in equine care. These guidelines are intended as a reference point and should be adapted based on individual response, comfort, workload, and professional guidance.

Red light therapy is used as supportive care and is not a replacement for veterinary diagnosis or treatment.

​

​

General Principles for Use

• Begin with shorter sessions and increase gradually
• Apply consistently rather than using long, infrequent sessions
• Allow adequate time between sessions on the same area
• Monitor comfort and tissue response during and after use
• Adjust based on season, workload, and individual sensitivity

Relaxation, softening of posture, licking, chewing, or yawning are commonly observed responses.

​

Acute vs Chronic Use — General Guidelines

Red and near-infrared light therapy is commonly adjusted based on whether support is being provided for an acute (recent or active) issue or a chronic (ongoing or long-term) concern.

Acute use typically involves recent strain, flare-ups, inflammation, or heightened sensitivity.
Chronic use involves ongoing stiffness, compensation patterns, wear, or long-term management.

Light therapy does not generate heat based on wavelength. Tissue warmth during sessions is influenced by power output, irradiance, and duration, not by red or near-infrared wavelengths themselves. For this reason, conservative session lengths are commonly used during acute phases, with gradual increases based on comfort and response.

​

General Time & Frequency Guidelines

Maximum time per area
Do not exceed 30 minutes on a single area during one session.

Time between sessions (same area)
Allow at least 6 hours between applications.

Frequency
• Daily during periods of increased need
• 3–5 times per week for ongoing maintenance

Consistency over time is typically more important than longer individual sessions.

​

Usage by Wavelength (General Application)

660nm — Red Light (Surface-Level Support)

Acute use:
• Time: 2–5 minutes per area
• Frequency: 1–2 times daily
• Commonly used for superficial tissue support once active bleeding is controlled

Chronic use:
• Time: 2–5 minutes per area
• Frequency: 3–5 times per week
• Used for ongoing skin, scar, and surface tissue routines

​

850nm — Near-Infrared (Muscle & Connective Tissue)

Acute use:
• Time: 5–8 minutes per area (start low)
• Frequency: Daily during early support phases
• Adjust based on comfort and tissue response

Chronic use:
• Time: 8–10 minutes per area
• Frequency: 3–5 times per week
• Commonly used for long-term muscle, tendon, ligament, and joint-adjacent support

​

940nm — Near-Infrared (Circulation & Dense Tissue Contexts)

Acute use:
• Time: 8–12 minutes per area (conservative start)
• Frequency: Daily during periods of increased need
• Often used where circulation support or fluid movement is a priority

Chronic use:
• Time: 10–15 minutes per area
• Frequency: 3–4 times per week
• Used for ongoing circulation support, dense tissue regions, and hoof-adjacent areas

​

​

​

​Common Application Scenarios (General Guidance)

These examples reflect how red light therapy is commonly used, not prescriptive instructions.

 

Tendons & Ligaments

Acute use:
• Time: 6–10 minutes per area
• Frequency: Daily once excessive inflammation begins to settle
• Common wavelengths: 850nm, with optional 940nm

Chronic use:
• Time: 8–12 minutes per area
• Frequency: 3–5 times per week

 

Arthritis & Joint Stiffness

Acute flare-ups:
• Time: 6–10 minutes per joint
• Frequency: Daily or every other day based on response
• Common wavelengths: 850nm, with optional 940nm

Chronic stiffness:
• Time: ~10 minutes per joint
• Frequency: 3–5 times per week

 

Back & Sacroiliac Areas

Acute soreness:
• Time: 6–10 minutes per area
• Frequency: After work or daily during higher-need periods
• Common wavelengths: 850nm along the topline, 940nm where deeper support is desired

Chronic tightness:
• Time: ~10 minutes per area
• Frequency: 3–5 times per week

 

Laminitis & Hoof Circulation

Acute phases:
• Time: 8–12 minutes per hoof
• Frequency: Daily during flare-ups
• Common wavelengths: 940nm primarily, with 850nm above the hoof

Chronic management:
• Time: 10–15 minutes per hoof
• Frequency: 3–5 times per week

 

Edema & Swelling

Acute use:
• Time: 10–15 minutes
• Frequency: Daily until swelling improves
• Common wavelength: 940nm

Chronic use:
• Time: 10–15 minutes
• Frequency: 3–4 times per week

 

Fractures & Bone Bruising

Acute use:
• Time: 8–10 minutes per area
• Frequency: Daily
• Use as supportive care under professional guidance

Chronic / healing phases:
• Time: 10–12 minutes per area
• Frequency: Daily or near-daily based on response

 

Important Notes

• Avoid direct exposure to the eyes
• Do not use over suspected or confirmed cancerous growths
• Keep devices clean, especially near open skin
• Start conservatively and increase gradually based on comfort