Equine Therapy & Conditioning

At Midwest Equine Services, our Equine Therapy and Conditioning services are designed to support recovery, improve comfort, and build sustainable strength for horses at every stage of life. From rehabilitation and post-operative care to performance development and senior maintenance, our approach blends evidence-based therapies with purposeful conditioning.

Each horse is evaluated as an individual, with therapy and conditioning plans developed based on movement, workload, comfort, and long-term goals. Services may be used independently or integrated into a comprehensive program, always in collaboration with owners and if applicable, the horse’s veterinarian.

Our focus is not simply on treating symptoms, but on restoring function, encouraging correct movement, and supporting both physical and mental well-being.

Supportive & Regenerative Therapies

Focused on healing, inflammation reduction, tissue support, and comfort.

Bandage Changes & Wound Support

Used for Post-operative care, wound management, edema control, & limb support. Proper bandaging protects healing tissues, improves circulation, & reduces swelling while minimizing secondary complications. Horses often experience increased comfort and stability following appropriate bandage application.

Class IV Laser Therapy

High-powered laser therapy penetrates deep into tissue to stimulate cellular activity, increase blood flow, and reduce inflammation and pain. Laser therapy is commonly used for tendon and ligament injuries, joint inflammation, wounds, back soreness, and post-surgical recovery. Horses often show improved comfort, reduced sensitivity, and faster return to functional movement.

Red Light Therapy

Red-Light Therapy supports superficial tissue healing and cellular repair by enhancing mitochondrial activity and circulation. It is commonly used for muscle soreness, skin and coat health, minor wounds, and recovery support. Horses frequently appear more relaxed and comfortable during and after sessions.

Conditioning & Cardiovascular Development

Controlled movement designed to build strength, endurance, and correct muscle recruitment

Free Walker Conditioning

The free walker provides low-impact, consistent movement to support cardiovascular health, joint lubrication, and mental relaxation. It is ideal for warm-ups, cool-downs, rehabilitation progression, senior maintenance, and days when controlled movement is beneficial without rider or handler influence.

Incline Treadmill Conditioning

Incline treadmill work allows for controlled, repeatable movement while targeting strength, cardiovascular fitness, and correct muscle recruitment. Incline settings reduce concussive forces while increasing engagement of hind end and core. This therapy is beneficial for rehabilitation, conditioning, senior horses, and performance horses needing structured strength development.

Structured Hand Walking Programs

Hand walking is a foundational rehabilitation and maintenance tool used to encourage correct movement, promote circulation, reduce stiffness, and reintroduce workload following injury or surgery. Structured hand walking helps horses regain confidence in movement while supporting both physical and mental well-being

Manual & Soft Tissue Therapies

Hands-on Techniques to reduce tension, improve circulation, and promote relaxation

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy helps relieve muscle tension, improve circulation, reduce soreness, and support relaxation. It is beneficial for performance horses, horses in rehabilitation, and senior horses managing chronic tightness or discomfort. Many horses show immediate signs of relaxation, improved stride length, and better willingness to move following sessions.

Guided Stretching Sessions

Guided stretching improves flexibility, range of motion, and muscle elasticity while helping reduce compensatory movement patterns. Stretching supports joint health, improves posture, and can help horses move more freely and comfortably during work and daily activities.

Neuromuscular & Proprioceptive Therapies

KT Taping

Kinesiology taping supports muscles and joints without restricting movement. it can be used to reduce swelling, improve proprioceptive awareness, support injured tissues, and encourage correct muscle engagement. Horses often demonstrate improved stability, confidence, and movement awareness with taping applied.

Balance Pad Training

Balance pads challenge proprioceptive, coordination, and postural control by encouraging the horse to stabilize through small muscle groups. This therapy supports joint stability, core engagement, and neuromuscular re-education, making it valuable for rehabilitation, injury prevention, and performance longevity.

Equiband System Training

The Equiband system promotes correct posture, core engagement, and hind-end activation through gentle resistance. It encourages improved topline development, balance, and movement efficiency while remaining low-impact and adaptable to a variety of horses, from rehabilitation to high-level performance.