BEMER Electromagnetic Pulse Therapy for Equine Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine

BEMER (Bio-Electro-Magnetic Energy Regulation) therapy is a specialized form of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) treatment designed to improve equine health and performance. It involves a lightweight, battery-powered blanket that delivers low-frequency electromagnetic pulses over the horse’s body. Originally developed for human therapy, BEMER has been adapted for horses to target microcirculation without drugs or invasive procedures. Riders and veterinarians have increasingly integrated BEMER into their training and rehabilitation programs, attracted by its potential to aid injury recovery, enhance performance, improve circulation, and promote overall well-being in horses.

How BEMER Therapy Works for Horses

When a horse wears the BEMER blanket or leg cuffs, the gentle electromagnetic pulses cause tiny blood vessels to dilate and contract more effectively, thereby increasing local circulation. Improved microcirculation means more oxygen and nutrients are delivered to muscles and organs, while metabolic waste is removed faster. This biophysical effect sets off a cascade of benefits: muscles receive more fuel, inflammation can be reduced, and natural healing processes are accelerated. The therapy is applied in short sessions and can be used before or after exercise, or as a stand-alone treatment during rehabilitation. Importantly, BEMER’s PEMF intensity is low and does not produce heat, making it safe for regular use without risk of tissue damage, and no significant side effects have been reported in studies. BEMER therapy is also FEI-compliant, classified as a non-restricted supportive therapy due to its low output power.

Improving Circulation and Microcirculation

 Improved circulation is the foundation for many healing and performance gains. For instance, research presented to the American Association of Equine Practitioners noted that BEMER is unique among PEMF devices in its ability to actively target and improve microvascular blood flow. In a large clinical study on 100 horses undergoing surgery, those that received BEMER therapy during general anesthesia showed evidence of increased perfusion. The horses with the BEMER therapy were more deeply anesthetized and had slightly lower blood lactate levels (a sign of better oxygenation) compared to control. Better microcirculation not only aids during medical procedures but also in everyday recovery. Horses on a BEMER regimen tend to have quicker normalization of heart rate and lactate after exercise and show signs of relaxed physiology (e.g. higher vagal tone), indicating efficient circulatory recovery.

Aiding Injury Recovery and Rehabilitation

Improved blood flow from BEMER means injured tissues get more of the oxygen, nutrients, and immune cells needed for repair, while swelling and toxin build-up are reduced. Veterinarians and therapists report that horses recovering from soft tissue injuries like tendon or ligament strains can heal more quickly when BEMER sessions are incorporated alongside standard treatments .

A key area of injury management where BEMER shines is back and muscle pain. Riding horses commonly suffer from sore backs due to poor saddle fit, intense training, or underlying lameness issues. Traditional treatments (rest, medications, chiropractic, etc.) can help, but BEMER offers a drug-free addition to relieve pain and stiffness. A peer-reviewed study published in 2022 demonstrated that a BEMER electromagnetic blanket significantly reduce back pain in horses . In this trial, horses with chronic back pain underwent BEMER sessions twice daily for a few days. After treatment, they tolerated more pressure on their back before showing discomfort, indicating reduced pain sensitivity. The horses also displayed increased spinal flexibility and range of motion, reflecting a real improvement in their comfort and mobility. Dr. Melissa King, the lead researcher and an equine sports medicine veterinarian, noted that BEMER provided a “medication-free solution” for pain in the croup and saddle region and “absolutely” recommended it for horses with back soreness.

Enhancing Performance and Post-Exercise Recovery

High-performance sport horses endure rigorous training and competition schedules that can tax their bodies. BEMER therapy is increasingly used in these athletes to boost performance and aid recovery, essentially helping horses train harder and bounce back faster. One way BEMER enhances performance is by improving a horse’s suppleness and warm-up. Applying the BEMER blanket before exercise increases microcirculation in the muscles, which can loosen tight areas and make the horse more limber without any effort. Riders often report that their horses move more freely through the back and have better range of motion after a pre-ride BEMER session .

After intense exercise or an event, BEMER is equally valuable for cool-down and recovery. Sessions post-workout help flush out lactic acid and metabolic waste by stimulating blood and lymph flow, which in turn can reduce muscle soreness and shorten recovery time. In a controlled study, horses that received BEMER therapy had a faster return to normal blood parameters within an hour after exercise compared to horses with no therapy. They also exhibited a lower heart rate variability ratio, which suggests a shift toward parasympathetic nervous system dominance, essentially a relaxed, “rest-and-recover” state.

Another performance aspect is mental recovery and stress reduction, especially at competitions. Transport, unfamiliar environments, and the excitement of shows can elevate a horse’s stress levels, which may negatively impact performance. Because BEMER therapy engages the parasympathetic “rest and digest” response, horses often display behaviors like licking, chewing, yawning, and even dozing off during a session. This indicates they are truly relaxed. A calmer horse is easier to handle and performs better under pressure. In a German breeding stallion station, daily BEMER treatments over 11 months not only improved the stallions’ semen quality but also made them more focused and manageable, reducing stress for both the horses and handlers.

Endorsements and Scientific Evidence

The use of BEMER in horses is backed by a growing body of scientific research and veterinary endorsement. For example, researchers at Colorado State University’s Equine Sports Medicine program ,a leading authority in horse rehabilitation, have been at the forefront of BEMER research, publishing the notable 2022 study demonstrating pain relief and flexibility improvement in horses with back pain. This study, published in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, provided quantifiable evidence of BEMER’s benefits, and its findings were presented at the 2022 American Association of Equine Practitioners conference to inform veterinarians of this new modality. With scientific evidence mounting and positive case reports from vets and trainers worldwide, BEMER therapy has earned a legitimate place in modern equine sports medicine.

A typical session involves simply draping the BEMER blanket over the horse and attaching leg cuffs if targeting the limbs. The horse can be in a stall or grooming area, and most stand quietly (or even fall asleep) during the 5–15 minute treatment. Because it’s non-invasive, horses generally tolerate it well , even those who are sensitive to touch often accept the blanket’s gentle pulses. For trainers and riders on a busy schedule, BEMER therapy is easy to incorporate. It can be done during grooming or tacking up, and the newer models are programmable and shut off automatically, requiring minimal supervision . The convenience and flexibility of the system mean that even high-performance barns with dozens of horses can give each horse regular BEMER sessions without significant downtime.

Scientific Research and Veterinary Presentations

• King, M.R. et al. (2022). “Use of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy to Reduce Thoracolumbar Pain in Horses” – Journal of Equine Veterinary Science A peer-reviewed study demonstrating that BEMER therapy significantly reduced back pain in horses.

• AAEP Convention Proceedings – 2022 Includes abstracts and presentations on equine rehabilitation and integrative therapies like BEMER.

• Research in Veterinary Science – PEMF Applications in Equine Health Scientific articles covering circulatory health, PEMF research, and rehabilitation.

• The Horse: PEMF Therapy for Equine Pain and Performance Educational summary on how PEMF, including BEMER, is used in equine therapy.

• The Horse’s Back – Alternative Therapies in Equine Bodywork Discussion of complementary therapies including magnetic and bodywork modalities.

Veterinary Endorsements and Clinical Use

• Colorado State University – Equine Sports Medicine Leading research group studying BEMER and equine rehabilitation approaches.

• VetPD – Practical Equine Sports Medicine Courses Continuing education provider for vets on the use of adjunct therapies including PEMF and BEMER.