Targeted Healing with Equine Radial Shockwave Therapy
At Advanced Equine Recovery, we’re all about blending cutting-edge science with old-school horsemanship. One of the tools that bridges that gap beautifully is radial shockwave therapy — a non-invasive treatment that’s earned a spot in our barn for its ability to stimulate healing, reduce pain, and get horses back to doing what they love faster.
What Is Equine Radial Shockwave?
Radial shockwave therapy uses high-energy acoustic sound waves that pulse through soft tissue to jumpstart the body's natural repair process. Think of it like sending a wake-up call to injured or inflamed tissue — a call that says, "Hey, time to heal!"
Unlike focused shockwave (which targets deep inside the body), radial shockwave is best for more surface-level issues — things like:
Suspensory ligament injuries
Sore backs or sacroiliac joints
Hocks and stifles with mild arthritic changes
Trigger points or muscle tightness
Tendon sheath inflammation
It’s especially handy for reining, cow, and barrel horses that may not be lame but just aren’t moving out or performing like they usually do.
How It Works
During a treatment, a handheld device is applied to the area needing attention. The pulses are fast and rhythmic — most horses tolerate it well, and many visibly relax once the treatment gets going.
Each pulse increases circulation, breaks up adhesions, and encourages the release of healing factors in the tissue. Over a series of sessions (often 3-6 spaced a week apart), we can promote real structural improvement — not just mask the pain.
Why We Use It
We love radial shockwave because it fits right into our whole-horse wellness approach. It's non-invasive, has no downtime, and pairs beautifully with our other modalities like PEMF, cold water therapy, laser, and cryo. For horses in light work, post-injury maintenance, or coming off stall rest, it offers a way to reintroduce movement safely and comfortably.
The Results We See
Horses often move freer, warm up quicker, and recover faster between sessions after a round of shockwave. We’ve had cases where an old, stubborn muscle knot finally lets go, or a suspensory injury that stalled out starts progressing again.
Sometimes the best therapy isn’t flashy — it’s just effective.
Want to know if your horse is a candidate for radial shockwave therapy? Come visit us at Rein Maker Ranch. We’ll take a look at your horse’s case, and if this tool fits, we’ll build a custom protocol that puts your partner on the path to recovery.