Red Light Therapy Usage & Application Guidelines for Horses
Red and near-infrared light can be incorporated into an equine care program in many different ways. The purpose of this guide is to help horse owners understand how to approach session time, light delivery, treatment areas and frequency when using a ReGen Equine system.
Every horse and every application is different. Begin conservatively, observe the horse’s response, and adjust the approach as appropriate.
Before You Begin
Before starting a session, make sure your horse is comfortable and the treatment area is suitable for light application.
* Position the wrap securely and evenly over the intended treatment area.
* Keep the light away from the eyes and never direct light into the eyes.
* Follow the recommended session time for the area being treated.
* Check the horse during the session and discontinue use if the horse shows signs of discomfort or unusual sensitivity.
* Keep the wrap clean, particularly when used around areas of damaged or compromised skin.
* Light therapy should be used as supportive care and should not replace veterinary diagnosis or treatment.
If your horse has an active injury, unexplained lameness, significant swelling, an open wound, a diagnosed tumour, or another medical concern, consult your veterinarian before incorporating light therapy into the care plan. Veterinary guidance identifies the eyes/retina, active hemorrhage and neoplastic tissue among areas requiring particular caution. (Merck Veterinary Manual)
Choosing Your Light mode
ReGen Equine systems offer two light-delivery modes: Continuous and Pulsed. Both deliver red and near-infrared light, but the light is delivered differently.
Continuous Mode
Continuous mode delivers light steadily throughout the selected session. It provides uninterrupted light output for the full treatment time.
Pulsed Mode
Pulsed mode delivers light in rapid, repeating cycles rather than continuously. ReGen Equine’s pulsed setting operates at 10 Hz, meaning the light cycles 10 times per second.
The pulse pattern becomes part of the overall light-delivery protocol. Treatment time, pulse frequency and duty cycle all influence the amount of light delivered during a session.
Which Mode Should You Choose?
Neither mode is automatically better than the other. The appropriate choice can depend on the treatment area, the individual horse and the way the light is intended to be applied.
For horses that are new to light application or particularly sensitive, starting conservatively with either mode can be appropriate. Observe the horse’s response and adjust the application as needed.
Pulse mode should not be selected simply because it is assumed to be stronger, deeper or more effective. Continuous and pulsed light are different delivery approaches, and the available research does not establish one mode as universally superior for equine applications.
Session Time & Energy
Treatment time is an important part of every light-application protocol. ReGen Equine sessions can be adjusted according to the area being treated, the intended application and the individual horse.
For the Tri-Wave™ configuration, calculated radiant exposure is approximately 54–57 J/cm² at 5 minutes, 108–114 J/cm² at 10 minutes, and 162–171 J/cm² at 15 minutes during continuous operation.
Understanding the Numbers
J/cm² (joules per square centimetre) describes the amount of light energy delivered over a defined area during a session.
As treatment time increases, the total energy delivered also increases when the light is operating continuously. This is one reason session length is an important part of a light-application protocol.
These calculated values are provided (via email) as a reference for understanding the relationship between treatment time and light energy. They should not be interpreted as a universal therapeutic dose for every horse, condition or tissue.
Application Guidelines
Light therapy can be incorporated into an equine care routine for a variety of areas and applications. The appropriate approach depends on the area being addressed, the horse’s individual response and whether the goal is short-term support or ongoing maintenance.
The following guidelines are intended as a practical starting point. They are not a substitute for veterinary assessment when a horse has an injury, illness or unexplained change in soundness or behaviour.
Muscle & Soft Tissue
Session: 5-15 minutes per area, up to 3x/day
Light: 850nm + 940nm
Mode: Continuous or Pulsed
Acute: 5–8 minutes per area, up to 3 times daily when needed.
Ongoing / Chronic: 8–10 minutes per area, 3–5 times weekly.
Secure the ReGen Equine wrap comfortably around the treatment area so it sits evenly against the body.
Continuous mode provides a steady light application and is a good choice for routine muscle support and post-exercise use.
Pulsed mode (10 Hz) provides an intermittent light application and can be selected when a gentler approach is preferred or when incorporating pulsed delivery into the horse’s routine.
Tendons & Ligaments
Light: 850nm + 940nm
Mode: Continuous or Pulsed
Acute: 5–8 minutes per area, up to 3 times daily when needed.
Ongoing / Chronic: 8–10 minutes per area, 3–5 times weekly.
Secure the ReGen Equine wrap comfortably over the treatment area so it sits evenly over the tendon or ligament being addressed.
Continuous mode provides a steady light application and may be used as part of a routine tendon or ligament support protocol.
Pulsed mode (10 Hz) provides an intermittent light application and may be selected when a gentler approach is preferred or when incorporating pulsed delivery into the horse’s routine.
For a diagnosed tendon or ligament injury, light application should be used alongside appropriate veterinary assessment and rehabilitation.
Joints & Stifles
Light: 850nm + 940nm
Mode: Continuous or 10 Hz Pulsed
Acute: 5–8 minutes per joint, up to 3 times daily.
Ongoing / Chronic: 8–10 minutes per joint, 3–5 times weekly.
Back & Sacroiliac
Light: 850nm + 940nm
Mode: Continuous or 10 Hz Pulsed
Acute: 5–8 minutes per area, up to 3 times daily.
Ongoing / Chronic: 8–10 minutes per area, 3–5 times weekly.
For the topline and sacroiliac region, position the ReGen Equine wrap over the area being addressed and move it as needed to cover the treatment area evenly.
For more information about how the different wavelengths used in ReGen Equine systems interact with tissue, see our Wavelength Science guide.