Equine Cold Laser Therapy LLLT – How to use a cold laser on horses

5 comments Dec 15, 2020

Cold Laser therapy for equines has the benefits of traditional pain relief methods but without many of the drawbacks associated with alternative forms of equine pain relief and wound care. If you are looking for general FAQ's on the Cold Laser checkout this article.

The basic's of cold laser therapy:

1. WEAR PROTECTIVE EYE-WEAR: Always wear protective eye wear when using any class laser! You should wear Safety Glasses approved for the 800nm-1100nm range. Safety glasses rated in this range can be found at various stores online. Make sure you are purchasing certified/approved safety glasses. No matter what class laser, even pointer pen lasers - NEVER look directly into any laser, point it at or near human or animals eyes.

2. DO NOT USE COLD LASERS IF: Cold lasers, or LLLT, are not recommended for cancerous areas or where cancer was removed. Like any other equipment, LLLT should never be used to treat eyes unless it is being done so by a veterinarian with proper training, as it is very easy to do more damage. It is NOT recommend for use if pregnant. Never use LLLT near the thyroid.

3. CONSULT WITH DOCTOR OR VETERINARIAN BEFORE USE: We recommend that you consult with your Doctor or Veterinarian before administering cold laser treatments.

Will cold laser treatments help with partially torn ligaments?
Cold laser therapy treatments help promote healing as well as reduce inflammation, which causes pain. Cold laser therapy can promote tissue regeneration, wound healing and muscle recovery; reduce inflammation and relieve pain; and stimulate the growth of new blood vessels. LLLT is used in injury rehabilitation – and specifically for joint damage – due to its anti-inflammatory and pain relief properties.

Can cold laser therapy treatments help with founder?
Cold laser treatments can help reduce the inflammation caused by founder, which will help alleviate some of the pain associated with founder. LLLT treatments also help increase circulation and stimulate cell growth.

Which is better the pulse or the constant on?
We have found that the Pulse setting is best for arthritic or old/chronic injuries while the Continuous mode is for fresh, acute injuries.

Would cold laser treatments help navicular?
We have used the cold laser on a navicular horse. It can help to reduce the inflammation caused by the Navicular. Inflammation causes pain so cold laser treatments can help alleviate some pain. But LLLT will not fix the root cause(s).

I have a mare that injured her digital flexor tendon (DDFT) by the navicular bone. Will this benefit her?
Cold laser therapy helps promote tissue regeneration, wound healing and muscle recovery; reduce inflammation and relieve pain; and stimulate the growth of new blood vessels. It is commonly used in injury rehabilitation – and specifically for joint damage – due to its anti-inflammatory and pain relief properties.

Would cold laser treatments help ring bone?
Since ring bone is a degenerative disorder that has no cure the cold laser treatments wouldn't 'cure' ringbone. But could likely help reduce inflammation which causes the pain. Research has shown that it reduces the cells and enzymes responsible for causing inflammation and increases antioxidant anti-inflammatory enzymes.

Can I use it on my my horses back when he gets a sore back from training and showing?
Cold laser treatments could help reduce inflammation which causes pain. LLLT treatments also help promote healing. If your horse just has general muscle soreness from training and showing you may want to take a look at our Equine Massage gun for help with the soreness.

We have a 20 year old mare with right stifle injury, could this help her?
Cold laser treatments could help with reducing the inflammation which cases pain. It also helps promote healing by stimulating circulation and the growth of new blood vessels.

Can this help with laminitis?
Cold laser treatments could help reduce the inflammation (which causes pain) for a horse with laminitis.

What kind of penetration/treatment depth do you get with the various settings?
808nm laser beams can penetrate to 4-6cm depth roughly. 650nm laser beams reach about 2-3cm depth.

Is the frequency adjustable?
Yes the frequency is adjustable. There a 3 levels. POWER LEVEL: 1 - 267mW, level 2 - 533mW, level 3 - 800mW

Is cold laser therapy better than Magna Wave therapy?
Magna Wave is PEMF and this unit is a class 3B cold laser. They are different treatments. Both are very effective.

Would cold laser treatments help with an abscess?
Cold laser treatments may be helpful to help draw the abscess since they stimulate circulation and the growth of new blood vessels. Cold laser therapy (LLLT) also promotes healing and regeneration so it could be used to help promote healing of the abscess.

We have a senior gelding with stifles and jock issues, could cold laser (LLLT therapy treatments help him?
Cold laser treatments can help reduce the inflammation which causes pain. Low level laser therapy helps promote healing and cell regrowth.

How long for each session?
It really depends what you are treating. But on average 15-30 minutes daily seems to work great.

How many joules does this cold laser put put?
This laser produces .8 joules per second.

Is this also known as red light therapy?
No. Red light therapy and cold laser therapy are completely different.

What would your recommendation for ocd lesion treatment in fetlock?
Yes we would. We believe you would be amazed by the results you get from cold laser treatments. Cold laser treatments stimulate circulation and the growth of new blood vessels as well as promote healing and regeneration.

Is this safe to use on the horses jaw?
Yes. But you need to be careful not to shine the laser in the horses eyes. NEVER point any laser at eyes. We have had several clients use this for relief for TMJ. Also do not use the cold laser near the thyroid for any reason.

My 21 year old mare has hind fetlock issues. Swollen & stiff. No fluid build up. Is this safe to use on them?
Yes cold laser therapy is perfectly safe to use EXCEPT if the individual has cancer or has had cancer or is pregnant.

Is cold laser treatment OK for a pregnant mare?
It is NOT recommended to use while pregnant. Cold laser treatments help reduce inflammation which cases pain.

Is the cold laser beneficial for deep wounds?
Yes. This is results Grey Horse Performance got when they used the handheld cold laser on a deep chest wound for 14 days once daily for 15 minutes each session!

Can this help with laminitis?
Cold laser treatments could help reduce the inflammation (which causes pain) for a horse with laminitis.

Can cold laser treatments help with a hoof canker?
Cold laser therapy could help. Cold laser therapy devices can help promote tissue regeneration, wound healing and muscle recovery; reduce inflammation and relieve pain; and stimulate the growth of new blood vessels. LLLT is used in injury rehabilitation – and specifically for joint damage – due to its anti-inflammatory and pain relief properties.

I have a horse healing from cellulitis. Is this protocol helpful to that?
Depending on the cause of the cellulitis in your horse as determined by your veterinary caregiver, treatment options will vary. Cold laser treatments could be helpful reducing inflammation and promoting healing. We recommend you discuss if the LLLT treatments would be beneficial for your horse with your Veterinarian.

Technical Details:
LASER TYPE: Class 3B Cold Laser
LASER WAVELENGTH: 650nm & 808nm
NUMBER OF LASER DIODES: 5x808nm and 10x650nm
MAXIMUM OUTPUT: 800mW
150mW each 808nm laser diode and 5mW each 650nm laser diode
WORKING MODE: Pulse mode and continuous mode
TIME SETTING: 5 - 30 minutes in 5 minute intervals
POWER ADJUSTMENT: 3 levels intensity for adjustment
POWER LEVEL: 1 - 267mw, level 2 - 533mw, level 3 - 800mw
BATTERY: built-in lithium battery 5200mAh (4,000 hours use)
TIME USAGE: 2-3 hours on a full charge

PENETRATION: 808nm laser beams can penetrate to 4-6cm depth roughly. 650nm laser beams reach about 2-3cm depth.

PEAK POWER: High – 800mW (a quarter watt) in micro-pulses, with five 808nm laser beams concentrated at the center surrounded by 10 - 650nm laser beams.

HOW TO USE THE LLLT COLD LASER

TROY'S TIP: When it comes to use if either the Pulse or Continues mood it’s different for each horse or person. It’s recommended the Pulse is best for arthritic or old injuries and continues is for fresh, but I like to watch the horses reactions to get the best response. I tend you start at the outside of a wound or at the top or bottom of a tendon and work my way around the area. I like to hold the cold laser in one area for 90 seconds, then move it to the next area and continue until I have done this three times in each spot. Repeat this process until your have reached your desired treatment time. Most treatments range from 5-30 minutes.

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Resources for Acupressure in Horses & Dogs

Gene Bruno, OMD, LAc, FABAA

In 1971, Gene was one of the Directors of the Veterinary Acupuncture Research Project of the National Acupuncture Association (NAA), which introduced Animal Acupuncture into the United States for the first time. During this time he worked directly with Veterinarians, teaching them the basics of acupuncture and how it could be used to treat small and large animals. This led to the establishment of the International Veterinary Acupuncture Association (IVAS) in 1974.

Dr. Bruno was a member of the group of acupuncturists who founded the first two schools of Acupuncture in the United States. He is the past president of the American Association of Oriental Medicine. In addition to the extensive research on developing animal acupuncture, Dr. Bruno has done research at Harvard Medical School and at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, looking into the practical applications of acupuncture for the treatment of pain.

Dr. Bruno is the founder and a director of the American Board of Animal Acupuncture and currently teaches animal acupuncture at the Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture in Arizona. Dr. Bruno uses the Brandenburg Laser on horses and small animals, and has found it superior to other lasers on the market.