Walk into most barns and you'll find it: the horse's recovery team. There's a farrier, a vet, a massage therapist, maybe an equine chiropractor. There are ice boots, magnetic blankets, and more and more often, red light therapy and PEMF.
Now look at the rider. After a morning of mucking out, schooling, lifting saddles, and hauling hay, the rider's recovery plan is usually two ibuprofen and a hot bath, if there's time.
This post is about both of you: how red light therapy and PEMF are already changing horse care, and why the rider deserves the same attention.
The Rider Is an Athlete Too
Riding asks a lot of the body. Your core stabilizes every stride. Your hips absorb the horse's movement for hours. Your lower back takes the impact of every landing, every spook, every long hack. Then there's the barn work: lifting, carrying, bending, sweeping, often before sunrise.
It's no surprise that nearly half of riders report lower back pain. Yet most equestrians treat their own soreness as just part of the sport.
Your horse feels the difference. A stiff, braced rider sits heavier, moves less fluidly, and gives less clear aids. Caring for your own body is part of caring for your horse.
Why Barns Are Embracing Red Light Therapy and PEMF
Red light and near-infrared light support the body at the cellular level, helping cells produce the energy they use for repair and renewal. PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field therapy) works with the body's natural electrical rhythms, and it's valued for circulation and relaxation. (For a deeper look at how they differ, read Red Light Therapy vs. PEMF.)
Equestrians were early adopters. Red light wraps for legs and hooves, light pads for backs and hindquarters, and PEMF blankets have become familiar tools in competition and training barns, used before work to warm up, after work to support recovery, and during rest days.
For Your Horse
If you're considering red light therapy for your horse, a few principles matter:
For your horses. The Nushape Therapy Mat is large enough to drape over your horse for a full body Red Light Treatment. It weighs 6 pounds and is flexible and portable. There is an optional TPU cover that makes it easy to wipe down and protects the lights from dirt and dust in a barn environment. For a more portable and affordable solution for a PEMF treatment you can use the Therapy Wrap Pulse (it is best if your horse is clean if you want to share the wrap and use for yourself!)
Keep sessions calm and supervised. A quiet, familiar spot, the horse tied or held, and someone nearby for the whole session.
Watch your horse's response. Many horses relax visibly during sessions, lowering their heads, softening their eyes, even dozing.Â
For You: The Rider's Recovery Ritual
Here's a simple routine built around a rider's day. I use the NuShape Therapy Wrap Pulse, which is flexible enough to wrap around the lower back, hips, or knees, and runs on a power bank, so it works in a tack room as easily as at home.
Before you ride (10 minutes). Wrap your lower back while you tack up or sip your coffee. Follow it with a few gentle mobility moves: slow cat-cows, hip circles, and a standing hamstring stretch. You'll mount up warmer and looser, and your horse will feel it.
After you ride (20 minutes). Once your horse is cooled out and settled, give yourself the same care. Lie down, wrap the area that's working hardest (for most riders, the lower back or hips), and breathe slowly with a long exhale. This is recovery time, not scrolling time.
Show season. Early starts, long hauls, stabling at new venues, and hotel nights all take a toll. Pack the wrap and a power bank, and protect your sleep, because a tired rider makes tired decisions. On nights before a big show, I reach for my Travel Bundle. I've written more about sleep on the road HERE.
The Barn Aisle Ritual
Here's the idea I love most. While your horse has its red light session in the aisle, you have yours on a tack trunk nearby. Twenty quiet minutes, side by side. No lesson, no plan, no phone. Just two athletes recovering together.
It might be the most peaceful part of your day at the barn, and your horse will likely agree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use red light therapy on horses?
Yes. Red light therapy is widely used in equine care, often on legs, hooves, backs, and hindquarters. Use a device designed for horses and follow your veterinarian's guidance.
Is PEMF used for horses?
Yes. PEMF blankets are common in training and competition barns. As with any therapy, talk with your vet or equine therapist about whether it's right for your horse.
Can riders use red light therapy for back pain?
Many riders use red light therapy as part of their recovery routine, especially for the lower back and hips. If you have ongoing or severe pain, see a healthcare professional.
Should riders use red light therapy before or after riding?
Both can be helpful. A short session before riding can help you feel warmer and looser in the saddle, and a longer session afterward is a good way to recover.
The Nushape Therapy Wrap Pulse is available at nushape.com. For show nights when sleep needs extra protection, pair it with our Travel Bundle.
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