Laser therapy is just one of the ways to treat horses with musculoskeletal conditions, such as arthritis, back pain, soft tissue injuries and wounds.

Specifically, regenerative laser therapy—or RLT—employs light concentrated at a specific wavelength to help decrease tissue inflammation and speed wound healing. RLT is delivered outside the body by a cold laser, which is very different from lasers used to cut into tissue. It’s noninvasive and nonpainful, so horses don’t need to be sedated. But because it’s still a high-energy technique that requires certain precautions, RLT should be performed by a veterinarian.

RLT can also be used in combination with other treatment, such as shockwave therapy. Such regenerative therapies are creating new opportunities for treating equine soft tissue and certain orthopedic injuries.