Equine Tendon Recovery | Photizo Vetcare
Red Light Therapy for Horses
Tendon recovery, on the yard
Tendon injuries decide careers. Photizo Vetcare gives you a drug-free tool to support tendon and soft tissue recovery, used daily on the yard with your vet's guidance.
Common Uses
- SDFT & DDFT Strains
- Suspensory Lesions
- Post-Surgical Recovery
Yards Report
- Cleaner Scans at Re-Check
- Less Downtime Per Season
- Daily Routine on Tack Box
How Light Therapy Works on Tendons
The cellular science behind the daily yard routine
Dual-Wavelength PBM
Red 633nm and near-infrared 850nm light penetrates coat, skin, and muscle to reach tendon fibres, interacting with mitochondria in tenocytes at the lesion site.
Collagen Support
Evidence suggests PBM may support type I collagen expression and fibre alignment during the remodelling phase, the 6 to 12 month window that shapes return-to-work.
Sub-Acute Inflammation
Research suggests PBM may support reduced local inflammatory cytokine activity and improved microcirculation at the lesion site through the sub-acute and proliferative phases.
Yard Routine Friendly
One button, three minutes per tendon, once or twice daily. No heat, no chemical, no wrap to redo. Yard lads pick up the routine in a day.
What the Research Shows
Peer-reviewed studies on PBM in equine soft tissue injury
Equine Tendon Lesions
A controlled study on surgically induced superficial digital flexor tendon lesions in horses found PBM applied across the healing window may support improved collagen organisation and fibre alignment on histology at 90 days compared to untreated controls.
Moretti N, et al. Lasers Med Sci, 2018.Return-to-Work
A retrospective case series of sport horses with mid-body SDFT lesions reported owners using PBM as part of a structured rehab programme saw return-to-work rates consistent with published benchmarks for the injury type.
Pluim M, et al. Equine Vet J, 2020.Soft Tissue Recovery
A systematic review across equine orthopaedic PBM studies reported consistent effects on reduced swelling and improved lameness scores in the sub-acute phase when PBM was included alongside controlled exercise protocols.
Pryor B, Millis DL. Vet Clin Small Anim, 2015.Owners & Yards Report
My eventer strained her SDFT in April. Our vet approved Photizo Vetcare alongside the standard rehab of controlled walking and scans at eight-week intervals. I used it morning and evening for three minutes over the lesion. At the nine-month mark she scanned clean and came back into the season without a blip.
— Siobhán, Kildare eventing yardWe run a point-to-point yard in Tipperary. Tendon niggles happen every season. Photizo Vetcare sits on the shelf with the cold-hose kit now. Every horse on the soft tissue programme gets daily PBM as standard. Less downtime across the last two seasons than we had before.
— Tomás, Tipperary yard managerIndividual results vary. Owners report outcomes based on their own experience with their horses. Always involve your vet.
Frequently Asked Questions
When in rehab is it safe to start Photizo Vetcare?
Most vets approve PBM from the sub-acute phase onward, once the initial inflammatory response has settled, often from around day 5 to 10 post-injury. Confirm timing with your vet based on your imaging findings and your horse's rehab plan.
Does it work through hair and a thick coat?
Yes. Red and near-infrared light pass through equine coat to reach the tendon. For thick winter coats, part the hair or trim a small area to improve dose delivery. Darker coats absorb more light on the surface.
How does it fit into a rehab programme?
Most yards use Photizo Vetcare once or twice daily over the lesion during controlled walking and trotting phases. Your vet will set the timing alongside re-scans, work increases, and adjunct treatments such as shockwave or PRP.
Is it safe over bandages or poultices?
No. PBM works best on clean, dry skin in direct contact with the unit. Remove bandages and poultices before each session. Replace the dressing after treatment if your vet has prescribed it.
Does it replace cold hosing or controlled exercise?
No. Photizo Vetcare sits alongside your rehab routine. Cold therapy manages the inflammatory phase. Controlled walking loads the tendon at a safe level during remodelling. PBM adds a daily cellular input.
Is it safe on pregnant mares or foals?
Do not use over the abdomen of a pregnant mare without vet approval. For foals, vet guidance applies for timing, dose frequency, and contraindications. Always involve your vet first.
What other equine injuries has it been used for?
Owners and vets report use on suspensory lesions, check ligament strains, proximal sesamoidean ligament injuries, back soreness, stifle injuries, and post-surgical wound healing. Your vet is the right person to confirm suitability.
The rehab tool that lives on the yard
Ships from Ireland. CE-marked. Ships from Ireland with a 2-year guarantee.
Shop Photizo VetcarePhotizo Vetcare is a CE-marked medical device for home use on animals. Content on this page is for informational purposes and does not replace veterinary advice. Always involve your vet in your horse's diagnosis, rehab plan, and return-to-work decisions. Individual results vary.