LED treatment vs laser for horses
It is the question we are asked most often: what is the difference between LED treatment and laser therapy? Both use red and infrared light to support recovery and mobility, and both draw on the same body of research. The differences are not in the biology of the light. They are in how it is produced, how it is delivered, and what that means for who can safely use it.
That distinction matters more than it sounds, because it decides whether a treatment belongs in a clinic or in your stable.
Coherent vs non-coherent light
The single biggest distinction lies in the way the light is generated — and everything practical follows from it.
LED treatment
LED systems produce non-coherent light: the light waves are scattered rather than narrowly focused, creating a gentle, diffused beam.
The practical benefit is broad, even coverage over larger areas — a back, a shoulder, a hindquarter, or the full length of a tendon — which is what makes it workable for everyday use in equine care.
Laser therapy
Lasers produce coherent, collimated light. The beam is concentrated and can be directed with high precision at a specific point.
Penetration depth depends mainly on wavelength rather than coherence, but a laser can deliver far higher energy density into a small area. That makes it powerful for localised work — and demanding of the person holding it.
Same wavelengths, same underlying photobiology. What differs is concentration — and concentration is what determines both precision and risk.
Safety and handling
LED treatment is generally considered safe, with minimal risk when used according to guidelines. Because the light is diffused, the chance of tissue overheating is very low, which is why LED systems are well suited to regular use by horse owners outside a clinical environment.
Laser therapy requires more caution. Focused energy can cause overheating, burns or eye injury if it is handled incorrectly. For that reason laser treatment on horses should always be performed by a trained professional, with appropriate eye protection for horse and handler.
Which is right for your horse?
Both have a place in equine light therapy, and they are not really competing for the same job.
If you want a safe, user-friendly solution for broad areas and daily use, LED treatment is usually the better choice.
If you need precise, high-intensity treatment at a specific point, laser therapy may be recommended — under professional supervision.
For most rehabilitation and recovery routines the deciding factor is not power but frequency, and frequency favours what you can do yourself.
The two are not mutually exclusive. A horse can have laser work from a vet or physiotherapist and a daily LED routine at home — they solve different halves of the same problem.
How our LED systems are built
Most therapeutic light systems operate within the optical window, approximately 600 to 900 nanometres. Within that range light penetrates tissue effectively and interacts with the cellular processes involved in repair, circulation and energy production. Shorter wavelengths influence more superficial layers; longer ones reach deeper structures such as muscles, tendons and joints.
Our systems combine four wavelengths across that range, distributed across many LEDs so the energy is spread evenly instead of concentrated in a few points. That is the whole design argument for LED in equine use: even coverage, at a dose that stays safe for daily, unsupervised application.
Each system carries two types of LED strap, alternating: red at 660/670 and 730 nm, infrared at 810 and 850 nm. Every second row emits infrared to ensure deeper tissue penetration. No blue light — blue wavelengths only affect the superficial surface of the skin.
Choosing an LED system
If LED is the right approach for your situation, the remaining question is coverage.
Wrap72
Legs and joints — fetlock, knee, hock. Suits one or two legs and targeted work.
Wrap108
More extensive coverage for horses that need more than one area treated, or a larger zone at once.
Stifle Wrap
Shaped for the stifle, and adapts to the chest, shoulders and back.
For the technical detail — output power, LED count and how the systems compare — see the guide to choosing the right system →.
You don't have to buy to begin
Our rental programme lets you start with the right system and see how it fits your horse and your routine, with no deposit, no minimum period and no binding commitment. If you decide to keep it, up to three months of rental is credited toward the purchase. Rental is available for the Wrap72, Wrap108 and Stifle Wrap.
LED treatment supports the natural processes involved in recovery and tissue maintenance. It is not a cure and does not replace veterinary diagnosis or treatment — and neither does laser therapy. Both are supportive measures that work best inside a plan built around a diagnosis.
Farivar, S., Malekshahabi, T., & Shiari, R. (2014). Biological Effects of Low Level Laser Therapy. Journal of Lasers in Medical Sciences, 5(2), 58–62. Read the full article on PubMed Central →
This review explains how both laser and LED light interact with biological tissue, clarifying differences in light properties, wavelength effects and safety considerations — all directly relevant to equine applications.
Common questions
Is laser more effective than LED for horses?
Not inherently. Both deliver red and infrared light, and penetration depth is governed mainly by wavelength rather than by whether the light is coherent. A laser concentrates more energy into a smaller area, which suits precise, localised work; LED spreads it evenly across a larger area, which suits routine use.
Can I use a laser on my horse myself?
It is not advisable. Focused laser energy can cause overheating, burns or eye injury if handled incorrectly, which is why laser treatment on horses should be performed by a trained professional. LED systems are designed to be safely applied by owners in a normal stable environment.
Does LED light penetrate deeply enough to matter?
Penetration is determined mainly by wavelength. Infrared wavelengths at 810 and 850 nm reach deeper structures such as muscles, tendons and joints, while red at 660/670 and 730 nm acts closer to the surface. Using both, as our systems do, covers superficial and deeper tissue in the same session.
Why is there no blue light in your systems?
Blue wavelengths sit outside the optical window and only affect the superficial surface of the skin. They add nothing for the deeper tissue work equine recovery calls for, so our systems use exclusively red and infrared light.