HORSEWARE RED LIGHT THERAPY LEG PROTECTORS

Horseware® LED Red Light Therapy Pad

The Horseware® LED Red Light Therapy Pad is an advanced LED therapy panel designed to provide effective and targeted light therapy to a horse’s muscles and soft tissues. The product is based on photobiomodulation (PBM), a well-documented treatment method in which specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light are used to stimulate the cells’ natural biological processes. The technology is currently used in both human and veterinary medicine as a complementary treatment for recovery, rehabilitation, and muscle care.

The pad combines 660 nm (nanometers) red light and 850 nm near-infrared light, two of the most extensively studied wavelengths in light therapy. The red light primarily affects the tissues of the skin and superficial muscles, while the near-infrared light can penetrate deeper to reach muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other soft tissues. This combination provides a broad treatment profile and makes the product suitable for both superficial and deeper tissues.

Why specificallythe front legs?
The front legs are subjected to very high loads every time the horse moves. During riding, jumping, and training, the suspensory ligaments, flexor tendons, vertebrae, and surrounding ligaments absorb significant forces that help cushion impacts and stabilize the leg. Due to the high load, these structures are particularly susceptible to overexertion, inflammation, and injury. The suspensory ligament acts as an important shock absorber and stabilizer for the fetlock joint. The flexor tendons work together with the suspensory ligament to support the horse’s weight and control the leg’s movements. The hock joints serve as one of the horse’s most important shock-absorbing joints and are subjected to stress with every step the horse takes in jumping, eventing, dressage, and everyday riding. These tendons are subjected to significant tensile forces and can become sore or overloaded after intense work. Light therapy is therefore used to promote normal recovery, support tissue function, increase blood circulation, and reduce stiffness after exercise. This, in turn, reduces inflammation and pain in these soft tissues and promotes healthy recovery and healthy tendons, joints, and ligaments.

The scientific basis behind LED therapy is that light energy is absorbed by an enzyme in the mitochondria of cells.When this occurs, the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is stimulated. An increased supply of ATP enables cells to better repair tissue, maintain normal function, and recover after physical exertion. At the same time, research has also shown that light therapy can dilate blood vessels, which in turn improves blood flow in the treated area.

This improved blood circulation means that oxygen and nutrients are transported more easily to muscles and soft tissues, while waste products are removed more efficiently. For horses that train regularly, this contributes to faster recovery after exercise, reduces the feeling of muscle fatigue, and prevents stiffness. For this reason, LED therapy is often used both before and after exercise—before exercise to stimulate blood circulation and prepare the muscles, and after exercise to support the body’s natural recovery process.

Several scientific studies in both human and veterinary medicine have shown that photobiomodulation (light therapy) can help reduce inflammatory processes in the body’s tissues. This does not mean that the treatment cures injuries or replaces veterinary care, but it creates favorable conditions for the body’s own healing process and is therefore often used as a complement to rehabilitation or to support muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

The Horseware LED Red Light Therapy Pad is designed to treat a horse’s hock. With 320 high-quality LEDs, the light is distributed evenly across the entire treatment area. Unlike traditional heat therapy, LED therapy is not based solely on heating the tissue, but on the light energy stimulating the cells’ biological activity.

The flexible neoprene construction allows the pad to conform to the horse’s body and lie securely against the treatment area. Two adjustable Velcro straps make it easy to position the pad over areas such as the back, withers, or croup, ensuring optimal contact between the LED panel and the horse’s body. The cordless design with a rechargeable battery makes treatment convenient both in the stable and at the competition venue, while the silent operation makes the product well-suited even for young or sensitive horses.

The product offers two treatment programs—continuous light and pulsed light—as well as the option to use red light only, infrared light only, or a combination of both. Each treatment cycle lasts 15 minutes and ends automatically, ensuring a consistent treatment duration and making the product easy to use even as part of a daily routine.

• Advanced LED therapy panel based on photobiomodulation (PBM).
• Combines 660 nm red light and 850 nm near-infrared light.
• Stimulates the mitochondria to produce more ATP—the cells’ natural source of energy.
• May contribute to improved cell function and support the tissue’s natural recovery.
• Promotes blood circulation by influencing nitric oxide and local vasodilation.
• Helps oxygen and nutrients reach muscles and soft tissue more effectively.
• Helps reduce muscle stiffness and speeds up recovery after exercise.
• Often used to support the rehabilitation of muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
• Scientific studies show that photobiomodulation can influence inflammatory processes and support the body’s natural healing.
• Flexible neoprene design with adjustable Velcro straps.
• Cordless, rechargeable, and completely silent during use.
• Two treatment modes: continuous or pulsed light.
• Automatic shut-off after 15 minutes.
• Suitable as a complement to exercise, recovery, and veterinarian-guided rehabilitation.
• Not a substitute for veterinary treatment in cases of illness or injury.