Horses in human history

Horse is an animal that has an impressive contribution to shaping world civilizations and changing lives. The first domesticated horses found in the steppes of Russia and Kazakhstan date around 3500 BC. The adoption of horses is one of the significant discoveries for an early human society.

Human civilization was not made by humans solely but with the help of many factors and discoveries that served as catalysts to progress. The horse is the one mammal that transformed the world, making traveling long distances, food transportation and trade easier & faster. Horses participated in wars along with humans throughout history. 

It is only one hundred years ago that technology started to replace horsepower. Technical innovations replaced workhorses in agriculture and commerce. Even though in some countries the horses are still widely used for agricultural purposes & short distance transportation, nowadays, they are more associated with leisure and equestrian sports. 

Equine sports

Equine sports include dressage, endurance riding, eventing, reining, show jumping, tent pegging, vaulting, polo, horse racing, driving, rodeo, and others. Sport horses need to be up to high physical and psychological requirements during training and competition. Horses that participate in equestrian sports require special preparation, healthcare and treatment. They often have excessive workload & their energy has to be restored daily.

Stress in equine sport

The other factor that affects sporting horses is stress and it is often overlooked. The use of horses as “competition tools” may result in several stress-related problems that directly or indirectly bias their sporting performance. The stress triggers are perceived as a potential threat. Stress provokes  a combination of natural biological responses designed to reduce the effects of the perceived stressor.

When the amount of stress is moderate, it may boost performance and help to cope with routine short-term stressors. Excessive stress may impair performance. A good sports performer needs to have the appropriate physical and physiological condition.

During the competition, besides the excessive training, the factor that may affect the emotional state of the horse is relocation, long trips, jet-lag, and adaptation to  new weather conditions. That is why in most intensive periods of training, it is advisable to provide horses with some stimulation procedures. 

Low-Level Laser Therapy for stimulation of sporting horses

Such simulations may include methods of laser therapy performed by RANKEL Low-Level laser therapy devices. Such as:

• Transcutaneous blood treatment (laser hemotherapy). In this case, the device is applied to the projection of the jugular vein and fixed with an elastic strap. It is located within the jugular groove, on the lower side of the horse’s neck. It is recommended to perform 3 sessions every other day with the last session just before the competition. 

• Zonal treatment of horse muscles may be carried out on parts of muscles that suffer the major load during the competition. Swipe the carousel (2nd photo) to check the suggested areas. 

• A bio active point or BAP is one of the most important and most commonly used points in traditional Chinese medicine. It is a correlation between the location of acupuncture points and channels in animals. Out of 145 BAPs. E. Westermeier identified some that are responsible for the functioning of the most active muscles and large joints in 1976 (swipe the carousel, 3rd photo). To reinsure biostimulation and rehabilitation of sporting horses you may treat these points with LLLT before and after the competition. 

LLLT provides various advantages for horses and animal treatment, stimulation & recovery. Contact us to know about the RANKEL Smart Vet device and its application in veterinary. 

Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) procedures are widely used, especially in equestrian sports to stimulate horses before competitions, after extended transportation, and to treat jet-lag syndrome. RANKEL Smart Vet is used not only to cure sick animals but also to enhance their work productivity and to help them restore after excessive physical efforts.