Laminitis is one of the most painful and challenging hoof conditions in equine health, often leaving horse owners feeling helpless. Whether triggered by metabolic imbalance, diet, or mechanical stress, the consequences can be long-lasting and debilitating.
At Red Light Therapy Kits, we’re proud to offer safe, non-invasive tools to support healing and comfort in horses with laminitis. One of the most effective and accessible therapies available today is red light therapy — and it’s making a real difference for horses across Australia.
Red light therapy, also known as photobiomodulation, involves the application of specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared (NIR) light to the body. These wavelengths are absorbed by the cells, where they stimulate natural healing processes.
The most effective wavelengths include:
- 660nm (red light): Targets surface-level tissues like skin and blood vessels
- 830nm (near-infrared light): Penetrates deeper to reach muscles, tendons, and joints
This light energy increases the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) within the cells — the fuel needed for repair and regeneration. The result is:
- Improved blood flow
- Reduced inflammation
- Accelerated tissue repair
- Natural pain relief
These outcomes are particularly beneficial for horses dealing with the inflammation and tissue breakdown associated with laminitis.
Understanding Laminitis in Horses
Laminitis is the inflammation of the laminae — the delicate tissues inside the hoof that secure the hoof wall to the pedal bone. When inflammation disrupts these tissues, it can cause the pedal bone to rotate or sink, a painful condition that may require long-term management.
Let’s take a closer look at the most common causes of laminitis.
Metabolic Disorders
Horses with conditions like Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) or Cushing’s Disease (PPID) are at higher risk. These disorders lead to hormonal imbalances, particularly affecting insulin regulation, which can trigger laminitic episodes even without dietary changes.
Dietary Overload
High-sugar diets — including lush spring pasture, excess grain, or sudden feed changes — can disrupt gut bacteria and produce toxins that travel to the hoof, resulting in laminar-inflammation.
Mechanical Stress (Supporting Limb Laminitis)
When a horse favours one limb due to injury in another, the opposite leg may bear excessive weight over time. This prolonged mechanical stress can compromise blood flow in the supporting limb and lead to laminitis.
Systemic Illness or Toxaemia
Serious infections, colic, retained placenta, or any condition that releases toxins into the bloodstream can affect the laminae. This is known as sepsis-related laminitis and often presents as a secondary complication.
Understanding the root causes of laminitis is essential for prevention and management. By recognising the early risk factors, horse owners can intervene sooner and adopt supportive therapies—like red light therapy—to aid in recovery and improve long-term hoof health.
How Red Light Therapy Helps Equine Laminitis
Laminitis presents a combination of biological challenges—intense inflammation, restricted circulation, and structural tissue damage within the hoof. These are not only painful but can also slow recovery and, if left untreated, result in long-term lameness or chronic hoof changes. Red light therapy, also known as photobiomodulation, is uniquely suited to address these core issues by working at a cellular level to restore balance, promote healing, and provide comfort—all in a non-invasive, drug-free manner.
Reduces Inflammation
One of the primary benefits of red and near-infrared light is its ability to modulate inflammation. During a laminitic episode, the laminae become inflamed and swollen, increasing pressure within the hoof capsule and causing extreme discomfort. Red light therapy helps by downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are the chemical messengers that drive inflammation in the body. It also reduces oxidative stress by increasing antioxidant enzyme activity in the tissues.
Enhances Circulation
Circulatory restriction is a hallmark of laminitis, particularly in the hoof where blood supply is already relatively limited. Red and NIR light stimulate vasodilation, the process by which blood vessels widen, increasing local blood flow to the affected area. This enhanced circulation brings vital oxygen, nutrients, and immune cells to the site of injury, while also helping to flush away metabolic waste and inflammatory byproducts.
Stimulates Tissue Repair
Photobiomodulation boosts the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) within the mitochondria—the energy source for nearly all cellular activity. This increased energy availability enables faster and more efficient cell repair, particularly in damaged connective tissues like the laminae. By accelerating cell proliferation and collagen synthesis, red light therapy helps reinforce the hoof’s structural integrity.
Natural Analgesic Effect
In addition to its regenerative properties, red light therapy also plays a valuable role in pain management. It works by modulating the transmission of nerve signals, effectively reducing the sensation of pain at the site of treatment. Simultaneously, it promotes the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, which helps improve the horse’s comfort and overall wellbeing. Unlike pharmaceutical options, this form of pain relief carries no risk of side effects or drug residues, making it safe for long-term use and for horses in active training or competition.
Together, these effects make red light therapy an ideal complementary treatment for horses with laminitis. Whether used in the acute phase to help reduce inflammation and pain, or during recovery to support tissue repair and hoof regrowth, red light therapy can be a powerful addition to a well-rounded care plan.
Our Equine Premium Therapy Wrap, A Holistic Approach to Laminitis
Our Solution in the Shape of the Equine Premium Therapy Wrap
Managing laminitis requires more than just rest and medication — it demands targeted, consistent therapy to address the inflammation and tissue damage occurring deep within the hoof. For red light therapy to be effective in this context, it must be delivered precisely to the lower limb structures, including the coronet band, pastern, and hoof capsule. These areas are notoriously difficult to treat with static panels or general-use pads, which is why flexibility and correct fit are so important.
Key Features:
- 128 LEDs (64 red + 64 infrared) to deliver comprehensive light coverage
- Flexible neoprene wrap easily conforms to the pastern and hoof area
- Secure, non-detachable battery for stable, hands-free use
- 2.15 hours run time on a full charge
- Portable and easy to apply — no cords, no stress
Whether used at home, in a stable environment, or during rehabilitation programs, the wrap makes red light therapy more accessible, consistent, and stress-free for both the horse and the handler.
How to Use the Wrap for Laminitis
Implementing red light therapy in a laminitis recovery program doesn’t have to be complicated. What matters most is consistent, targeted application — and understanding where and how to place the wrap for optimal results.
Suggested Use Protocol
Target areas: Focus on the coronet band, pastern, and dorsal hoof wall — these regions are key entry points for delivering light into the laminar tissues and digital cushion.
Session length: Apply for 15 to 20 minutes per leg, allowing the red and near-infrared light to penetrate effectively through the soft tissue and into the hoof.
Frequency: During acute or flare-up phases, we recommend using the wrap once or twice daily. For maintenance, three to five sessions per week can help manage ongoing inflammation and support hoof growth.
Best practice tip: For horses undergoing cold therapy (e.g., hoof icing), red light therapy can be used after cooling sessions to re-establish circulation and stimulate healing once acute inflammation has settled.
Because the wrap is designed to be lightweight and quiet, most horses accept the treatment readily. In fact, many visibly relax or even fall asleep during sessions, indicating reduced discomfort and increased endorphin release.
Red Light Therapy, A Gentle Step Toward Healing
Laminitis is a complex and often emotional journey — one that calls for patience, care, and the right combination of therapies. While there’s no overnight fix, red light therapy is emerging as a safe, natural support that can make a meaningful difference in both acute and ongoing cases.
By targeting inflammation, improving circulation, and encouraging tissue repair, red and near-infrared light therapy offers a valuable complement to your horse’s existing treatment plan. The Equine Premium Therapy Wrap makes this therapy accessible and easy to integrate into daily care — giving owners a proactive way to support recovery at home.
If you’re exploring natural, non-invasive options for laminitis management, red light therapy may be the gentle yet effective tool your horse needs on the path to healing.
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