Red Light Therapy for Horse Wounds:
My Horse's Eye Injury and the Results That Amazed Me

On May 23rd, 2025, my horse Onyx cut his eyelid. Not a minor scrape—a full thickness cut, badly swollen, and alarming to look at. It happened in the evening, no vet was immediately available, and I had to make a call on what to do.

I reached for my Photonic Health MultiLight.

What happened over the next 21 days is why I believe every horse owner—especially those in rural areas—should have one of these devices in their barn.

Onyx's eyelid on May 23rd, 2025—full thickness cut, no vet available.

Here's exactly what I did:

After cleaning the wound thoroughly with saline solution, I began treatment immediately using my Photonic Health MultiLight.

Blue light: 30 seconds I started each session with the blue light held close to the wound. Blue light has anti-bacterial properties which is critical for an open wound, especially one so close to the eye where infection risk is high. Thirty seconds is all that's needed—more is not better with blue light.

Red light: 5 to 10 minutes I then switched to red light and held it approximately 1–2 inches from the wound for 5 to 10 minutes. The red light is where the bulk of the healing happens—it penetrates beneath the skin surface to stimulate tissue repair, increase blood flow, and reduce inflammation. I treated twice daily—morning and evening—without fail.

Raw honey: Between treatments I applied a thin layer of raw honey over the wound as a natural wound dressing. Raw honey has well-documented anti-bacterial and wound-healing properties and creates a protective barrier over the wound without interfering with the light therapy.

That's the entire protocol. No anti-inflammatories. No antibiotics. No stitches. No vet bill.

One thing worth noting: I did not cover the eye or restrict Onyx in any way during treatment. He was relaxed and comfortable throughout —there was no heat, no discomfort, and no stress response from him during sessions. That alone tells you something about how non-invasive this treatment is.

The Healing: Day by Day

Day 2: The eye lid was still extremely swollen but the honey was deterring the flies 

Day 4: The swelling was greatly reduced and the tissue is starting to granulate and fill in

Day 10: The swelling is gone and the wound has completely closed with no excess granulation

Day 20: Nothing left but a hairline scar

No vet visit. No prescription medications. No stitches.

The blue light handled the bacterial risk—critical for an open wound so close to the eye. The red light drove the healing, reducing inflammation and accelerating tissue repair. Together they achieved what would normally have required a vet visit, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatories.

Why Does Red Light Therapy for Horse Wounds Work?

The Photonic Health handheld devices produce a 660nm wavelength LED light that penetrates beneath the skin surface to reach damaged tissue directly. When applied to a wound, it:

• Stimulates nitric oxide production, opening blood vessels and increasing blood flow to the area by up to 60–80%
• Accelerates collagen production for faster tissue repair
• Reduces nerve sensitivity and inflammation, providing natural pain relief
• Strengthens the body's anti-inflammatory response

The blue light wavelength adds anti-bacterial properties—making it particularly effective for open wounds, cuts, and conditions like thrush.

Unlike lasers, the LED lights are safe to use around the eyes—which is exactly why I was confident using it on Onyx's eyelid wound.

Other Horse Wounds and Conditions Red Light Therapy Can Help With

Beyond open wounds, I've used my Photonic Health device on my own horses for:

• Barbed wire and fence injuries
• Sprained fetlocks
• Shoulder injuries
• Knee and pastern cuts
• Colic (using the acupressure protocol)
• Eye injuries
• Arthritis and joint pain

It works on all mammals—so the same device I use on my horses I've also used on my dogs, cats, and myself.

Which Photonic Health Device Should You Get?

The Multi Light is what I used on Onyx and what I personally recommend for most horse owners — it combines red, blue, and green wavelengths so it can handle the widest range of conditions including wounds, infections, pain relief, and colic.

For a full breakdown of all devices and which is right for your situation, see my complete guide here:

→ Red Light Therapy for Horses — Full Guide & Product Comparison

Ready to have one in your barn?

All Photonic Health handheld devices come with a limited lifetime warranty and a 90-day money-back guarantee—so there's no risk in trying.

→ Learn more about the Multi Light ← my personal recommendation → See the full Photonic Health product range

Frequently Asked Questions About Red Light Therapy for Horse Wounds

If you're a horse owner—especially in a rural area—red light therapy for horse wounds isn't a substitute for veterinary care when you need it. But in 15 years of using these devices on my horses, it has handled more injuries than I can count, saved me thousands in vet bills, and given me genuine confidence that I can deal with whatever my horses throw at me.

Onyx's eye is my most recent proof.

Have questions about using red light therapy on your horse? Feel free to get in touch—I'm happy to share what's worked for my herd.

→ Contact Jenny