By Piper Klemm
For horse owners, nothing is more important than the comfort and soundness of our animals.
So Jaime Collins is thrilled to bring two cutting-edge therapeutic products to the market. The Multi Radiance Lasers and the EkiJoint Gold supplement are both backed by years of research, and Collins can speak to their effectiveness on a personal level as well—she’s used them with great success on her own show horses, in rehab cases … and on her own body.
“I was doing thermal imaging and a veterinarian recommended that I get involved in cold laser therapy,” Collins tells The Plaid Horse.
“I researched the science behind it and trusted my vet and then I used it on my personal show horses. I worked on my horse’s pain from body soreness to bone spurs. As riders, we are athletes just like our four-legged partners, and it is an amazing tool to manage body soreness as well. I even personally use it for strength and conditioning as well as the not-so-fun accidents we have when working around horses.”
Multi Radiance Lasers
WHAT’S UNIQUE ABOUT the Multi Radiance Lasers, says Collins, is that they are the safest yet strongest brand of lasers on the market. A safety rating of a class 1 means there is no risk of hazard to the eyes for the applicator or the animal, and there is zero thermal effect on the tissue. This eliminates the risk of any possible burning, which can occur with class 3b and class 4 lasers. It’s a product that is scientifically validated with 38 peer reviewed published studies to date, and more in the pipeline. This is one of the many reasons that it was utilized at the last 3 World Equestrian Games. In 2018, it was the exclusive laser of choice to be used by all the equine vets and physiotherapists staff for the riders.
“The ability to have a device that can literally fit in your back pocket to treat swelling, pain, inflammation, wound care, and more is simply amazing,” says Collins. “A safe yet strong laser to be used in the hands of clients treating their own animals puts my mind at ease. I personally know there are endless uses. It’s cordless, compact, lightweight, packs a long battery life (over six hours of use), and is durable enough to be stored in a tack trunk or padded bag. Plus, as a sales rep for over nine years, I really emphasize the training and protocol support that clients receive from me.” (Prior to selling the laser, she took an international equine acupuncture course to learn more about meridian and acupressure points, and she is certified in equine sports massage and the Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation technique.)
“I give clients a holistic approach, and keep it simple,” adds Collins. “It’s very user-friendly and there are no prerequisites to learn the techniques.”
Owners always want the most accelerated healing outcomes. Depending upon the type of injury, a series of treatments may be recommended. Having a laser in the barn eliminates the additional stress and risks that are often associated with hauling a horse in the trailer, not to mention the time involved. These lasers are validated not only to manage swelling, pain and inflammation—there is also a remarkable recovery factor. If the horses are lasered prior to training or competition, says Collins, the rate of recovery is boosted to 300% faster. Endurance can be boosted by 20% following recommended protocols as well.
“The whole lactic acid buildup cycle doesn’t even occur,” she says. “I didn’t believe it when I first heard that statistic. But I put it to the test when working at the racetrack. I would re-check my clients’ racehorses for body soreness at 24, 48, and 72 hours post-race, and I was astonished that there was no body soreness on them. It was as if they had never even breezed, let alone ran a race.”
The goal of laser therapy is to deliver light energy units, in the form of photons, to damaged cells. The consensus of experts is that photons, absorbed by the cells through laser therapy, stimulate the mitochondria to accelerate the production of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). This biochemical increase in cell energy is used to help transform cells from a state of disease into a stable, healthy state and has the ability to repair itself.
The Multi Radiance-patented laser technology is unique with four wavelengths: 660nm red, 470nm blue, 875 infrared laser, and 905 super pulsed laser. In addition to the four wavelengths, there is also magnetic technology built in to keep the cells optimized at receiving the energy to the tissue. There is a cascade response that occurs beneath the surface that ensures that the dosage of energy being delivered actually reaches the desired area of treatment. “Even those horses with chronic S.I. pain are a breeze to manage, and those ligaments are deep beneath the surface,” says Collins. “The laser is safe to use on all skin pigmentation types. The 470nm Blue mode is capable of mitigating bacterial, fungal and dermatitis issues such as proud flesh, STAPH/MRSA, and those pesky scratches cases that tend to happen at the worst of times while competing.”
She adds that many barns are stocking the product for the whole team, as the benefits extend from horses to humans and even to dogs.
“When the laser is incorporated into an equine program, trainers get better outcomes from their daily rides, muscle activation and growth is achieved without resistance, horses are happier. I stress the education of truly using it as much of a prevention tool as a rehabilitation tool. Everyone performs better when they feel better. Staff included. I provide tons of off-label uses for just about any aches and pains you can think of. We have the knowledge base to educate from our extensive application on the human side where this company originated its roots.”
“Horses are not designed to be in stalls all the time—the longer they stay in stalls, the harder it is to relieve pain,” Collins notes. “The more cellular rejuvenation you can have, the faster the recovery they can have. They need recovery daily from concrete, sand, landing from jumps, and high levels of exercise. It takes at least 48 hours for a horse to recover after a big class and with the laser they can be back in top performance faster. We educate ourselves to stay ahead of the pain-chasing game. When in doubt, get the laser out. I personally am in love with the Rescue setting. It is amazing for acute injuries, with ability to target inflammation and pain before swelling sets in.”
Conditions treated by the Multi Radiance Lasers
- Releasing tight muscles
- Sprains & strains
- Managing arthritic pain
- Sore hooves, quarter cracks, and hoof growth
- Strength & conditioning
- Lymphatic drainage
- Chronic pain
- Hoof rot
- Tendon / ligament issues
- Joint Conditioning
- Fungal bacterial issues
- Dermatitis issues
- Proud flesh
- Pre-surgical analgesia
- Post-surgical trauma
- Back and muscle pain
- Wounds STAPH & MRSA
- Fractures
- and many more!
ACTIVet PRO LaserShower:
Frequently Asked Questions
Why laser therapy?
Veterinarians are recommending our laser therapy because it’s a safe, fast, side effect-free way to relieve pain and accelerate healing for your animal.
Can it get too hot like Class IV lasers?
The Super Pulsed lasers deliver light photons deep into the tissues. The pulse durations are so short, nanoseconds, that there is no heat sensation. Animals generally become very relaxed.
Are there any side effects or associated risks?
The true super pulsed cold laser has no side effects and very few contraindications.
How long does each treatment take?
The typical treatment duration is 5-15 minutes depending on the size of the area involved and the condition being treated.
How often should my animal be treated?
Acute conditions may be treated daily, particularly if they are accompanied by significant pain. Most chronic problems respond well when treatments are received 2-3 times per week for two weeks tapering off to once a week, as your animal’s condition improves.
How many treatments does it take?
For some acute conditions, 1-6 treatments may suffice. Those of a more chronic nature may require 10-12 treatments. Conditions such as severe arthritis, navicular pain and ringbone may require ongoing periodic care to control inflammation and pain symptoms.
How long before the results are felt?
You will typically notice improvement in your animal’s pain symptoms right away. Laser works at the cellular level and is very effective for promoting rapid healing. Laser
therapy helps eliminate your animal’s need for surgery or medications. Please consult with your veterinarian.
EkiJoint Gold Collagen +Plus Nutraceutical for Cartilage Repair and Protection
No matter what condition your horse is in, the FEI-approved supplement EkiJoint Gold can benefit them—now and in the long run.
Even if your horse is in perfect health at the moment, says Collins, repetitive trauma is going to damage cartilage. Prevention is very important and trauma can start at a young age. EkiJoint is safe for all phases of breeding and you can start protecting the joints safely at any age.
Dr. Jose Lopez Velarde is a lameness specialist veterinarian and a creator of the product. Dr. Velarde developed the supplement to focus on cartilage repair and protection. Cartilage health and integrity is the lifeline of joint health. In simple terms, when the cartilage is disrupted, a process called synovitis begins. This is the first step of firing up arthritic changes.
“Dr. Velarde knew from the most advanced medical studies in human medicine that cartilage health can be supported and repaired with all of these synergistic ingredients. Your equine investment will be protected as well,” says Collins. Dr. Velarde completed more than 15 years of research to create the most compete supplement possible for all aspects of joint and connective tissue health. “When we reverse the negative inflammatory response, you can see a quick, radical change for the better,” Collins explains. “Whether a horse has grade 1 or grade 4 arthritis, there is inflammation produced in the synovial membrane. These negative enzymes are now being produced, and with this, the breakdown of cartilage begins. You can see this in a puffy fetlock—people want to just ice or poultice, but there is more beneath the surface to what is going on.”
Collins, who serves as the global sales manager and exclusive U.S. distributor for EkiJoint, also notes that the company provides complimentary consults: “You can send over X-rays and ultrasounds—we can provide you a vet consult Eki Plan for dosage and outcome predictions, and recommended rehab plan for that particular horse.” The support is holistic, she adds, and the company takes into account and stresses the importance of biomechanics. “We want you to see the quickest changes possible and know we have the best team in place to help you.”
The use of EkiJoint, she adds, also reduces the need for joint injections. “With a small amount of patience, you will be helping your equine partner immensely. A steroid injection is a temporary Band-Aid to reduce the high inflammatory markers, and it does come with side effects. In a short period of time, the erosion is going to take a toll on that joint from the injection site. There is tons of research to show the negative effects that are inadvertently produced. With EkiJoint, you will see the positive changes in joint restoration and seamless healing of the connective tissue matrix in soft tissue injuries.”
The company has also seen great changes in EPM horses. “We have so many clients with good feedback—people who were treating joint issues suddenly said their EPM horses were so much better. Collagen has a profound impact on the nervous system,” says Collins. “Many hunters and jumpers can also pop splints quickly and with EkiJoint you can treat that right away.”
Because EkiJoint has zero fillers and is made from all natural ingredients, it is competition legal. The product was designed to optimize the repair process of tendons, ligaments and joints, and these claims have been validated through rigorous clinical scientific research and validation with diagnostic comparisons that support the findings. To ensure maximum efficacy, it is a highly palatable powder and easy to feed.
EkiJoint also comes with a money-back guarantee. If you upload day-one video data and show no results in 60 days, the company will refund your payment in full. “We thrive on being educators and advocates for the equine athlete.”
EkiJoint Gold excels at …
- Increasing synovial fluid
- Managing ringbone
- Reducing osteophytes and bone spurs
- Improving soft tissue injuries
- Improving navicular syndrome
- Recover post surgery, especially for chip removal
- Support for infectious arthritis
- Arthritic conditions / DJD
- Tendon & ligament support
- Synovitis / Capsulitis
- OCD support
- Bleeder support
- Sesamoiditis
- Ulcer support
- Acute or chronic tendonitis and tenosynovitis
- Support for kissing spine
EkiJoint Ingredients
- Glucosamine Sulfate: Reduces pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints
- Omega 3: Helps reduce the intensity of joint symptoms like morning stiffness, tenderness, swelling,
and discomfort - Chondroitin Sulfate: Regenerates the cartilage structure
- Hydrolyzed Collagen: Highest level of assimilation for long-term use in chronic joint disorders such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and connective tissue support & healing
- Vitamin C: A powerful antioxidant, it fights molecules that trigger inflammation
- Methylsulfonyl-methane (MSM): Significantly reduces inflammation and inhibits the breakdown of cartilage
- Magnesium: Magnesium supplementation enhances regeneration and reduces deposits of inflammatory cells
- Hyaluronic Acid: Speeds up wound healing and helps relieve joint pain and prevent osteoarthritis
Testimonials for Multi Radiance Lasers & EkiJoint Gold
“I put my horse, Cerafina, on EkiJoint Gold six months ago and she has never felt better. It is important to me that my seasoned Grand Prix horse has the support she needs. EkiJoint Gold has been a great addition to her care!” —Jessica Gleason (photo)
“Working with high-level equestrian and equine athletes, it’s important to get them back to competition in a timely fashion. ACTIVet PRO LaserShower is durable and extremely effective and I think it’s something everyone will want in their toolbox.” —Sharon Classen, PT, Equine physiotherapist
“Multi Radiance Medical adds a safe new therapy for my patients. I use it for a wide range of conditions, especially arthritis.” —Stacy Huber, DVM, Owner of the Oasis Animal Hospital
“We’re very impressed with the MR4 ACTIVet laser for equine physiotherapy.” —Kent Allen, DVM, owner of Virginia Equine Imaging and the Director of Veterinary Services at the World Equestrian Games, 2010
*This story was originally published in the March 2021 issue of The Plaid Horse. Click here to read it now and subscribe for issues delivered straight to your door!
About the Author: Piper began her tenure as the Publisher of The Plaid Horse Magazine in 2014. She received her B.S. with Honors in Chemistry from Trinity College [Hartford, CT] in 2009 and her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley in 2012. She is an active member of the hunter/jumper community, owning a fleet of lease ponies and showing in adult hunter divisions.
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