Effect of light therapy on heart rate and behaviour in horses

Case Studies (Animal)
Written By Lynne Dickens

By Chloe O’Malley, CMP Therapies

Huge thanks to Chloe for sharing her dissertation project which was submitted (Spring 2018) in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Equine Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation for the University of Greenwich.

Chloe Parrett treating her horse with Photizo Vetcare

Extracts from Conclusion, pages 31 & 32

This pilot study has been successful in achieving what the study set out to achieve. With limited research into the effects of the Photizo Vetcare and light therapy in general, understanding what the effect of this new therapy is on heart rate, behaviour and surface temperature was not previously understood in horses.

The study discovered that light therapy significantly influences behaviour in the horse. A higher number of positive responses were observed after the light therapy than before the light therapy. A lower number of negative responses were also exhibited from horses in the study. Resulting in the fact that light therapy increases positive responses from the horse and decreases negative behaviour responses.

Light therapy has a significant influence on heart rate by reducing the heart rate of the horse. This ensures that horses undergoing light therapy are not stressed.

There is still a need for further research within light therapy but specifically within other light therapy uses. Research is limited in the area and therapists should be informed about more of the other potential benefits of light therapy. However, for the price of the device and the benefits that are already researched, the Photizo Vetcare is a beneficial tool for therapists and owners who would like to provide some complementary therapy at home. It could allow them to provide pain reduction (Laakso and Cabot, 2005*), assist in healing skin abrasions (Brem et al., 2004*) kickstart the healing of Tendon and Ligament injuries (Fung et al., 2002*).

*Clinical references are cited in the full paper Chloe Parrett – Dissertation

Lynne Dickens

Spot On Creative is a Northants-based creative team who have the hard-earned skills, expertise and industry knowledge that only come from having worked for years in advertising. It’s all managed by Lynne Dickens who has over 20 years’ experience in marketing communications, and ten years in website design and build, and creative team project management.

Lynne is also a qualified art historian and has some expertise in curating fine art exhibitions and producing all of the catalogues, posters and supporting material to create a successful event.

All the guys in our team have worked for one-man bands, SMEs and large blue-chip multinationals in just about every sector, field and industry. We can come up with great ideas, superb design and copy, and exceptional photography for anything from websites to email campaigns, branding to brochures – and everything in between.

And the beauty of Spot On Creative is that we’re big in creativity, experience and knowledge, but small in overheads and invoices. So we’re a much more sensible and affordable option for you than a larger advertising agency or marketing company.

www.spot-on-creative.co.uk
Previous

Promoting a preventative approach to Arthritis
Next

Save Vietnam’s Wildlife Project – using Photizo for wound healing in Pangolins