A Study of the Effects of Lasering on Chronic Bowed Tendons at Wheatley Hall Farm Limited, Canada, January, 1983

Chronic bowed tendons of horses have been lasered with an infrared 904‐nm laser at Wheatley Hall Farm Limited since 1980. A sample of 42 single injury/single treatment standardbreds which were racing within 120 days of laser treatment and met certain criteria, were evaluated for final race times, last quarter race times, and class changes. Results indicate that a significant percent of the standardbreds raced with similar or improved times and classes. Lasering bowed tendons presents a safe and less expensive alternative to traditional treatment methods which often requires a year layoff for the horse.