Cold Laser Therapy and the Equine Solarium — Why We Use Both at JJ Sporthorses USA

At JJ Sporthorses USA, we believe recovery is just as important as training. Two of the most powerful tools in our therapy program are cold laser therapy and our equine solarium — and when used together, they cover everything from deep tissue healing to full-body muscle recovery.

Here's exactly what they do and why every horse in our barn benefits from both.

What Is Cold Laser Therapy?

Cold laser therapy — also called Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation — uses specific wavelengths of light to penetrate tissue and stimulate the body's natural healing processes at a cellular level. Unlike surgical lasers, cold lasers produce no heat and cause no damage. They simply deliver targeted light energy where the body needs it most.

We use low-level lasers specifically — chosen for their precision and safety for performance horses.

The Two Wavelengths We Use — and Why They Matter

660nm — Red Light

This wavelength targets superficial tissue — skin, wounds, surface inflammation, and soft tissue injuries. It's particularly effective for:

- Wound healing and scar tissue reduction

- Surface inflammation and swelling

- Cuts, abrasions, and skin conditions

- Nerve regeneration

830nm — Near-Infrared Light

This wavelength penetrates much deeper — reaching muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints that red light can't access. It's the workhorse wavelength for:

- Deep muscle soreness and tension

- Tendon and ligament injuries

- Joint inflammation and arthritis

- Chronic pain management

- Accelerating recovery after intense competition

Using both wavelengths together gives us complete coverage — superficial and deep — which is why clinic-grade therapy programs use dual-spectrum lasers.

What Does Cold Laser Therapy Actually Do?

At the cellular level, laser therapy stimulates mitochondria — the powerhouse of the cell — to produce more ATP (cellular energy). More energy means faster tissue repair, reduced inflammation, and accelerated healing. For competition horses this translates to:

- Faster recovery between shows

- Reduced muscle soreness after hard work

- Better management of chronic conditions

- Improved comfort and range of motion

- Drug-free pain relief — critical for competition horses subject to anti-doping rules

Our Equine Solarium — Full Body Infrared Therapy

Our solarium works alongside the cold laser to provide full-body infrared heat therapy. While the cold laser targets specific problem areas, the solarium works systemically — warming the whole horse from the outside in.

Infrared light from the solarium penetrates the skin to:

- Increase circulation and blood flow throughout the body

- Relax muscles before and after work

- Accelerate lactic acid clearance after exercise

- Improve muscle elasticity — reducing injury risk

- Stimulate vitamin D3 production

- Boost immune function and metabolic rate

- Dry the coat safely after baths or workouts

The solarium is particularly valuable in Las Vegas's desert climate — where temperature swings between early morning and afternoon can affect muscle warmth and recovery.

How We Use Them Together

Pre-ride: Solarium session to warm muscles, improve elasticity and reduce injury risk.

Post-ride: Cold laser targeted to any areas of concern — hocks, tendons, back — followed by solarium to flush lactic acid and promote full-body recovery.

Between shows: Both therapies combined as part of our maintenance protocol to keep horses feeling their best throughout a demanding show season.

Why It Matters for A-Circuit Horses

The horses competing at Desert International Horse Park, Thermal, and throughout the West Coast A-circuit are elite athletes. They deserve elite recovery. Cold laser and solarium therapy are standard at the top barns in Europe and are quickly becoming the benchmark for serious programs in the US.

At JJ Sporthorses USA, they're not optional add-ons — they're part of every horse's daily care.

Questions about our therapy program or what full-care board looks like at our Las Vegas facility?

Email Info@jjsporthorsesusa.com or DM us on Instagram @jjsporthorsesusa.