24 Prevalence, Usage, and Perceptions of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) in the Equine Industry
Authors: Rostad Delaney R, Ivey Jennie L
Journal: Journal of Animal Science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: PEMF Therapy Adoption in Equine Practice Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy has gained traction across the equine industry despite limited evidence base, prompting Rostad Delaney and Ivey to survey 667 US-based respondents across three professional groups—owners and leasers, trainers and coaches, and PEMF administrators—to characterise current usage patterns and perceived outcomes. The findings reveal widespread adoption: 85% of riding horse owners reported using PEMF on performance animals, whilst 96% of trainers and coaches had applied the therapy to horses in their care, with whole-body treatments being most common (92–96% of respondents), followed by region-specific applications to the back, loin, and front limbs. Most practitioners reported observing perceived improvements within 24 hours of treatment, with session lengths typically ranging from 45–90 minutes, though the survey provides no data on treatment frequency, machine specifications, or comparative controls. Whilst user confidence in PEMF appears high within the industry, the absence of standardised protocols, dose-response information, and rigorous efficacy data represents a significant knowledge gap; farriers, vets, and other practitioners should recognise that current widespread use reflects market demand and subjective perception rather than validated clinical outcomes, underscoring the urgent need for controlled trials to establish whether observed benefits represent genuine physiological effects or placebo response.
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Practical Takeaways
- •PEMF therapy is widely used in the equine industry with high perceived efficacy, but you should be aware this is based on user perception rather than rigorous scientific evidence
- •Current practice shows considerable variation in application sites and session length; standardized protocols based on clinical evidence are lacking and needed
- •If considering PEMF for your clients, set realistic expectations about timing of effects and recognize the need for controlled studies to validate claims about performance enhancement and stress reduction
Key Findings
- •85.08% of riding respondents reported using PEMF therapy on performance horses, with 96.25% of trainers/coaches reporting use on horses under their care
- •Whole body therapy was most common application (91.6% owners, 96.12% administrators), followed by targeted areas including back/loin and front legs
- •40.28% of administrators and 39.54% of owners perceived greatest PEMF effects within 1 day of treatment
- •Most frequent session duration reported was 45-90 minutes, but substantial variation in treatment protocols exists with no evidence-based consensus