Equine athletes put intense stress on their musculoskeletal tissues as well as lymphatic and neurologic systems. During a session at the 2025 American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Convention in Denver, Colorado, Sybille Molle, DVM, DACVSMR, discussed the use of kinesiology tape as an adjunct therapy to help improve performance, rehabilitation, and injury prevention.
What Is Kinesiology Tape?
Molle explained that kinesiology tape (KT) is a breathable yet waterproof cotton material without any medical additives. It stretches only in a longitudinal direction and is applied with a variable amount of stretch depending on the purpose of the application. The tape can stay on a horse for three to five days.
Applications for Kinesiology Tape
The taping application allows for unwinding and realignment on fascial tissues and mobilization of collagen fibers, which mitigates pain perception by reducing compression on nerve endings, said Molle. The recoil of the tape redirects collagen fibers by modifying the crosslinking to stabilize tissues. It can be used for back pain, weak stifles, and tendon and ligament injuries. When applied properly, she said, KT can help reduce edema while helping normalize local tissue temperature when combined with icing.
Kinesiology tape is not only noninvasive but also inexpensive, doping free, and easy for the client to apply with some guidance, Molle said. Other uses and benefits include diagnostic purposes, injury prevention, improved performance during training and conditioning, treating acute and chronic conditions, and rehabilitation.
Final Thoughts
Molle recommended interested practitioners pursue specialized courses on use of kinesiology tape to ensure they’re optimizing their use of the therapy. She teaches a taping certification program at the Animal Rehab Institute in Florida.
Sports medicine coverage from the 2025 AAEP Convention is brought to you by Dechra.
Related Reading
- Rehabilitating Equine Soft Tissue Injuries
- Should the U.S. Embrace Equine Veterinary Physiotherapists?
- Disease Du Jour: Equine Rehabilitation Modalities
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