Horse Shockwave Therapy: How It Can Help Your Horse Heal Faster
If your horse is recovering from an injury, you may have heard your vet mention horse shockwave therapy. But what exactly is it, how does it work, and could it speed up your horse’s recovery?
What is Horse Shockwave Therapy?
Horse shockwave therapy, also known as Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT), is a non-invasive treatment that uses high-energy acoustic sound waves to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. These sound waves penetrate deep into the tissues, promoting regeneration and repair where your horse needs it most.
Originally developed in human medicine to break down kidney stones and treat musculoskeletal injuries, shockwave therapy is now widely used in equine sports medicine to support healing and improve performance.
How Does Shockwave Therapy Help Horses?
Here are the key ways horse shockwave therapy can benefit your horse:
1. Increases Blood Flow
Ligaments and tendons have a limited blood supply, which can slow down their healing process. Shockwave therapy boosts local circulation, bringing more oxygen, nutrients, and healing cells to the injured area to speed up recovery.
2. Promotes Collagen Production
Collagen is a vital building block for tendons and ligaments. Shockwave therapy stimulates the production of new collagen fibres and helps them align properly, resulting in stronger, healthier tissue as it heals.
3. Reduces Pain and Inflammation
The acoustic waves reduce inflammation by downregulating inflammatory mediators within the tissue. This leads to less swelling and pain without relying solely on medications.
4. Improves Tissue Organisation
When a ligament or tendon heals, scar tissue can form in disorganised patterns, reducing flexibility and strength. Shockwave therapy helps remodel this tissue into more organised, functional fibres, restoring normal movement and resilience.
5. Provides Analgesic Effects
Horse Shockwave therapy can temporarily desensitise nerves in the treatment area, reducing pain signals. This allows your horse to move more comfortably during their rehabilitation, supporting a smoother recovery process.
What Conditions Can Horse Shockwave Therapy Treat?
🔹 Ligament and Tendon Injuries
Commonly used for suspensory ligament injuries, flexor tendon injuries, and other soft tissue damage.
🔹 Osteoarthritis
Helps manage degenerative joint disease by stimulating anti-inflammatory responses and supporting cartilage repair.
🔹 Back Pain and Kissing Spines
Reduces pain and muscle tension in the back, improving range of motion and comfort under saddle.
🔹 Navicular Syndrome
Targets caudal heel pain by improving blood flow and reducing discomfort in the navicular region.
Is Horse Shockwave Therapy Safe?
When performed by a qualified equine vet or physiotherapist, shockwave therapy is considered very safe. Your horse may need light sedation to ensure they remain still during treatment, and most horses tolerate it well with minimal side effects.
How Many Sessions Does a Horse Need?
The number of treatments depends on the injury and your horse’s rehabilitation plan. Typically, horses receive three to five sessions spaced one to two weeks apart, but your vet will create a tailored plan based on your horse’s specific needs.
Could Horse Shockwave Therapy Help Your Horse?
If your horse is struggling with a ligament injury, back pain, or osteoarthritis, shockwave therapy could be an effective part of their rehabilitation plan. Always consult your vet or equine physiotherapist to discuss whether horse shockwave therapy is right for your horse.
Final Thoughts
At Rider Guider, we believe in combining innovative therapies with structured training and rehabilitation to keep horses comfortable, strong, and performing at their best. Horse shockwave therapy is just one of the many tools available to support your horse’s health and wellbeing.
Have you tried shockwave therapy for your horse? Share your experiences below or ask us your questions.
To support your horse’s recovery with structured, confidence-building training exercises, explore our Rider Guider App, designed to keep your rehab sessions organised and your horse progressing safely every step of the way.