top of page
Search

Proactive Rehab: The New Standard in Elite Equine Wellness

How Preventative Therapies Like PEMF, Cryo, LED, and More Help Our Horses Stay Sound, Happy, and Competitive




At Sage Creek Stables, we don’t wait for a problem to arise—we work to prevent it entirely. In today’s elite training environments, rehab isn’t just a response to injury. It’s a proactive system of care designed to optimize the health, comfort, and longevity of our horses.


We incorporate modern therapeutic tools—like PEMF, cryotherapy, LED light, shockwave, and theraplate—not only during injury recovery, but as part of a regular maintenance routine. This approach has helped us maintain healthier, happier horses that perform more consistently and recover faster.



Why Preventive Rehab Matters

Horses in training, especially those jumping, are constantly managing micro-strain—on tendons, ligaments, joints, and fascia. Left unaddressed, this strain accumulates into:

  • Soreness

  • Behavior changes

  • Compensation injuries

  • Reduced performance or layup

Just as human athletes embrace recovery tools as part of training (think cryo after games or compression boots post-run), our horses deserve the same prehab-minded approach.



What We Use & When

We rotate therapeutic modalities based on each horse’s training demands, history, and sensitivities.


PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy)

Used weekly or after hard jumping days to:

  • Improve circulation

  • Reduce inflammation

  • Aid lymphatic drainage

  • Relax the nervous system

It’s a favorite for horses who come out tight, or need help releasing fascia and staying supple through the back.


Cryotherapy (Ice Boots & Cold Compression)

Applied immediately post-work to legs and hooves to:

  • Minimize soft tissue strain

  • Reduce inflammation

  • Decrease risk of post-ride swelling

This is especially important in high-impact disciplines like jumping.


LED Light Therapy

Targeted red/infrared wavelengths help:

  • Accelerate tissue healing

  • Soothe sore backs or SI areas

  • Reduce lactic acid buildup

  • Promote collagen production

We often use this on older horses or those with chronic stiffness patterns.


TheraPlate Vibration Therapy

Used pre- and post-ride to:

  • Increase circulation

  • Gently warm up muscles and tendons

  • Encourage proprioceptive awareness

  • Assist in lymphatic drainage and recovery

It’s low-impact, calming, and ideal for horses on stall rest or limited turnout.


Shockwave (when prescribed)

For horses returning from injury or needing deeper tissue stimulation. Shockwave therapy is generally used in consultation with veterinary recommendations and focused on:

  • Chronic pain relief

  • SI or suspensory regions

  • Deep muscular adhesions



When We Use It: Before & After Work

At Sage Creek, you’ll often see horses:

  • Getting LED or PEMF before a lesson

  • Using cryo boots post-ride

  • Standing on the TheraPlate before hack days

  • Cycling through therapies based on our training calendar

We think of it as strategic restocking of the recovery bank—so our horses are never riding in a deficit.



Our Philosophy: Soundness Starts Sooner

The best soundness program starts before a horse ever limps. Our head trainer and support team collaborate weekly on:

  • Performance notes

  • Subtle changes in movement or behavior

  • Recovery trends after shows

  • Seasonal flare-ups or previous injury zones

This level of tracking allows us to adjust workload, therapy, and turnout proactively—rather than reactively.



Final Thoughts: Luxury or Necessity?

To us, proactive rehab isn’t a luxury—it’s part of ethical horsemanship. Our horses work hard for us. Supporting their physical and mental wellness before problems arise is how we honor their partnership.

If your horse has plateaued in performance, is coming back from an injury, or you're ready to elevate your training experience, our full-service care program could be the next step.



Ready to Learn More? Book a visit to Sage Creek Stables and see our therapeutic protocols in action. Our team will walk you through how we tailor care for each individual horse’s needs and performance goals.

Comments


bottom of page