How Infrared Light Enhances Performance

It is a well known fact that infrared light therapy can be used on injuries that a horse can sustain while competing or even while just being a horse.  But, did you know that is also a great way to enhance your horse’s performance?  Infrared light therapy provides healthy maintenance of your equine athlete, enhancing peak performance condition, while preventing costly veterinary ailments before they arise.

Polychromatic infrared diode therapy, or light therapy, has shown itself to be beneficial in treating a vast and diverse amount of problems.   Visible and infrared light have been shown to produce positive effects at a cellular level.  This is how it works:  The photons from the light are absorbed by the cells of the body that need it.  The light therapy stimulates new capillary formation, which in turn takes much needed oxygen and nutrients to damaged cells.  Collagen repairs muscles stressed and torn from work, and endorphins manage pain.  Infrared light therapy increases the metabolic process which removes the waste materials and reduces swelling, while increasing the blood supply to areas that are suffering from injury or lactic acid build up after a workout.  Muscles repair more rapidly and a horse can get back to work more quickly.  It also increases vascularity (circulation), stimulates the production of collagen, a protein needed in the repair of damaged tissue, activates acupuncture points, relaxes muscles and relieves pain from many symptoms, including arthritis.

Keep in mind that it is important not to treat just one spot, but in fact, treat the whole horse.  Work closely with your vet so that you know what minerals are deficient on the land that you are grazing your horse on.  Knowing the protein and mineral content of the hay that you are feeding is also important.  Too much protein can create a calcium deficiency, and if a horse is not working hard it can create all sorts of other health issues as well.

 Another important point is to allow your competitive horse to be a horse whenever possible.  A turnout in a large paddock or pasture every day rather than having him or her stand in a box stall is important.   

Doing the same routine day after day can create stagnation in your horses mind and body.  Diversify your activities as much as feasibly possible. Many riders take their top horses on trail rides and work in other disciplines just to keep the active athletic mind and body of their horse tuned up and happy.

Most of all remember that using infrared light therapy on your horse to enhance performance is like tuning the motor of a car.  Your horse will run more smoothly because of it, and you will get much better performance over all.  

How Infrared Light Heals Hoof Problems

As horses deal with the winter conditions of mud and snow, the opportunity for an abscess or other types of hoof problems becomes more prevalent.  Trail rides can cause bruising on soles made soft by water, and laminitis can develop if the conditions of the horse’s hooves are not taken into consideration when riding for long distances on rocky, hard terrain.  Bone Spurs and ringbone are painful problems that can also be aggravated when the ground becomes icy.
 
There is a time saving and efficient solution to these problems.  Infrared light therapy has been proven to aid in the quick and speedy recovery of horses suffering from these ailments.
 
Diodes on the pad are placed around the coronary band or on the bottom of the hoof.  On the coronary band they stimulate acupuncture points and increase hoof growth.  On the bottom of the hoof, when treating ailments such as an abscess or laminitis, the lights help decrease inflammation and bruising, while increasing the blood supply which stimulates circulation helping to heal an abscess, navicular bursa or other inflammatory problem.  Infrared light promotes collagen production, and because it is the essential protein for the repair of damaged tissue, healing occurs more quickly.

Infrared light penetrates into bone and muscle.  It has been shown to double the vessel diameter in the lymph system; therefore, the swelling or edema that can occur, along with bruising, is more quickly eliminated from the body.  ATP carries energy to cells and creates the chemical firing that occurs between cells.  Infrared light increases the adenosine triphosphate (ATP).  This helps to feed the cells and actively eliminates waste.  Endorphins are activated so that pain is minimized, and RNA and DNA synthesis increases, consequently, damaged cells are replaced more quickly. 

So for just a few minutes every day, an abscess, laminitis or any other type of hoof issue can be resolved.  Don’t worry about adverse side effects.  It has been proven that the cells of the body accept only the amount of energy needed to heal.  The body will only absorb the amount of light it requires.   

If you are faced with a difficult hoof condition that causes your equine friend discomfort and pain, think about using a time saving, efficient approach.   Infrared light therapy used for ten to fifteen minutes per day can cure the issue rapidly allowing your horse to move pain free through the winter months.

Winter Horse Hoof Tips

Did you know that a horse’s hoof wall undergoes metabolic changes in the winter that cause it to grow more slowly?

It can be unnerving when black ice covers wet ground, snow drifts don’t allow a rider to see possible dangers, and asphalt or concrete becomes slippery, especially for horses that are shod.  Managing snow balls is another problem that faces horse owners in the winter.

In many parts of the country, the winter conditions are so extreme that riding is not a realistic consideration.  However, for those people who live in areas where the snowfall is light or moderate, here are some winter shoeing tips:

Often a horse owner chooses to allow their horse to go barefoot in the winter.  One advantage is that a barefoot horse does not ball up with snow in the harsh winter months.  Going barefoot also allows a horse’s foot to recover from the confines of being constantly restricted due to shoeing.  Be sure to check with your farrier before pulling your horse’s shoes.  Horses with thin soles can be more easily bruised, and overgrown feet do not have good traction, so be sure to keep up with trims even in the winter.  Be cautious about taking your horse out on all day rides when shoes have been newly removed, as the hoof walls can be damaged and long rides can cause road founder.  If you are going to ride in the winter, make the rides a regular occurrence so that your horse’s hooves can become conditioned.  Hoof boots can give added protection while your horse adjusts to being without shoes or when going out for a lengthy ride.  Be sure to try them in the pasture first so that you and your horse can get used to them.  Remember, they can be slick too.

Some horses cannot go without shoes; therefore, you might consider just shoeing the front feet.  Be sure to check that your horse is not interfering by hitting a hind foot to a front limb or foot, due to changes in movement.  Also keeping the horse on more even terrain for a few days or even a week will allow him or her to get used to being shod in the front only.  Be sure to check for snowballs that can accumulate in the hooves that are shod.

Many boarding facilities will not allow horses to wear hind shoes when turned out with other horses because of the possibility of injuries.  So keep this in mind if you are thinking of turning your horse out with others.

If you need to shoe all four feet in the winter months, speak to your farrier about traction devices that can help to keep your horse from slipping on those icy winter rides.

Riding in the snow can be fun and enjoyable for both you and your horse.  It requires a little more caution and alertness, but it can help your horse become more confident with his or her ability to maneuver in challenging conditions.  It can also help to create a deeper bond of trust between you and your mount.  You both will have to depend on each other if you get into some tricky slick terrain.  But most of all remember to have fun, and enjoy the winter wonderland. 

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REVITAVET GIVES BACK!

Did you know that RevitaVet gives back to the riding community?  Revitavet sponsors, or is proudly affiliated with the following great organizations!
IHSA
RevitaVet is an official sponsor of the IHSA, awarding systems as prizes to the winning team at the National Championships, to the winner of the English/Hunt Seat division and the Western disciplines as well. During the school year there are also 8 zone Champions and 3 western semi-championships where those winners receive a system to use throughout the school year as a perpetual award.

US MILITARY EQUESTRIAN TEAM
RevitaVet sponsors the West Point Equestrian Team with a RevitaVet system.

UC DAVIS EQUESTRIAN TEAM
Donated a full system for the Eventing Team.


THE SECRETARIAT CENTER
RevitaVet donated a system to rehab and retrain retired thoroughbreds from the track.

HORSES HOPE HEALING
RevitaVet donated a system to this organization who work with unwanted horses, to train and compete them at local events. This wonderful group also works with disadvantaged kids and to them involved with horses.

HORSES HELP
RevitaVet sponsors Apple Jack, one of their most popular horses used for Therapeutic Riding. We donate money each month to help offset costs of caring for him and when Tom is in town, he goes to the facility and treats the horses with the RevitaVet system.

GRIDIRON HEROES
RevitaVet donated professional systems to this organization to treat young football players who have been paralyzed by high school football injuries.

YS NUTRITION
This company generously sponsors Tom with their nutritional mushroom supplements!