Equine Light Therapy

by Cheryl Childs  
  There are many reasons that someone chooses to go into business, such as wanting to own their own business or perhaps wanting to turn a hobby into a business, but for Christina & Dennis Reguli of Tennessee the reason they started their business, According to "Gospel" Equine Light Therapy it was none of those reasons. Their reason was a 17 hand show jumper named Gospel Hour.
  Every horse owner has had to deal with an illness or injured horse at some time and that was exactly what Christina and Dennis had to go through with Christina's gelding, Gospel Hour. Gospel Hour developed laminitis while recovering from a surgery to correct an old injury. Gospel's road to recovery was long and rocky and included having a tendon cut, sidewalls being removed and a two month stay at the veterinary clinic, but he fought and survived. "He was a miracle," Christina says.
  Gospel went home to live out his life in retirement.  As time passed Gospel Hour began to experience problems with the leg again. Christina got bad news at a monthly visit to the Vet, the deep flexor was pulling on the coffin bone of his foot. The pull on the tendon was forcing the coffin bone to tip downward and, if it continued, the bone would go through the bottom of his foot. The Vet felt that it was due to scar tissue building up from the tendon surgery. The Vet told Christina and Dennis that they would probably lose Gospel Hour.
    That statement made the Regulis even more determined to find an answer. They knew that time was not on their side.  Christina found out, through her research, about a therapy that used light. According to extensive research the therapy had been used on horses since the mid 80's. There was documentation about the use of light therapy from all over the world. Wanting to know more about how light could heal tissue she did more research and Christina thought that signs pointed to light therapy possibly being the answer for Gospel Hour. It was, however, a very expensive treatment (costing thousands of dollars for one small device) which made it cost prohibitive for her.  
 Dennis - who is an engineer - told her that maybe there was something he could do. After doing some research of his own Dennis thought he could make a light device for Gospel Hour. Christina measured Gospel's leg and Dennis ordered what he needed to make a light pad that they could wrap around his leg. They were racing against time and when the neoprene fabric didn't arrive on time Dennis took a mouse pad and duct tape and fashioned a light therapy pad for him. They treated Gospel every day and his coffin bone slowly retreated back where it belonged.  
  The Vets were shocked by Gospel's improvement. As word spread about Gospel's recovery, people began to contact the Regulis to see if they could purchase one of "Gospel's Light Pads" to help their horses. It became clear to Christina and Dennis that this was what they were supposed to do, Christina explained. The Regulis also wanted to make the treatment affordable for everyone.
  After nearly two years of prototyping, research and testing the first product was manufactured in 2005. The pads have been used on many horses and dogs, including their own, with no adverse side effects. "What began as a way to help my horse", says Christina, "became a business." People often ask how Light Therapy aids in the healing process. The tissues and cells of the body absorb light at certain specific wavelengths, but does not absorb light at other wavelengths. The key factor is using specific wavelengths. According to "Gospel" Equine Light Therapy uses those specific wavelengths in the red and infrared spectrum. Visible red light is absorbed by skin layers very efficiently and is best for uses such as stimulating trigger and acupuncture points and for treating wounds and infections. Infrared light penetrates to a deeper level and has been used to treat concerns of tendons. ligaments, joints and muscle.  There are many uses for Light Therapy including arthritis pain, bursitis, bruising, burns, edema, deep muscle problems, hematomas, inflammation, tight or sore muscles and infections. It also works well on hoof problems such as abscesses, bone spurs, inflammation, navicular, ringbone and laminitis as well as ankle problems, bone chips, hock problems, inflammation, ligament soreness, tendon problems, sore backs, splints, strains, stifle issues, sprains, swelling, shoulder pain, hip pain, sore backs, sore necks, salivary gland problems, wounds, cuts, and scrapes. You can find more information, as well as testimonials from people who have used the product, on their website at www.EquineLightTherapy.com