Volume: 5, 2026
5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: A040
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.A040
Published online: 22 April 2026
The influence of selected physiotherapeutic treatments on the motor performance indicators of horses
Paulina Zeliszewska-Duk*, Katarzyna Strzelec, Zuzanna Fisiak, Anna Skowerska-Wiśniewska and Izabela Wilk
Department of Horse Breeding and Use, University of Life Sciencies in Lublin, 50 Doświadczalna St., 20-280 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: paulina.zeliszewska@up.edu.pl
It was assumed that physiotherapy treatments positively impact selected motor performance indicators, such as stride length, stride time, stride frequency, and stride index. Based on this hypothesis, the aim of this study was to assess these parameters in horses undergoing three types of physiotherapy treatments.
The study involved eight warmblood geldings ranging in age from 7 to 21 years. The horses were kept in identical conditions and used recreationally. Before the experiment, the animals were clinically healthy and did not participate in any form of physiotherapy. The experiment lasted 13 days and was divided into two stages. During each stage, the same three physiotherapy treatments were performed. The selected treatments were: urinary meridian massage, dry treadmill walking, and a blanket using red LED light. The treatments were performed in the same order, with the horses receiving a day of rest between each treatment. The massage was intended to promote relaxation and had no set duration. The second session involved a walk on a treadmill, where the horses walked at a steady pace of 8 km/h for 5 minutes. The final treatment involved placing a blanket with a red LED light on each horse’s back for 15 minutes, with 7.5 minutes each on the front and back of the body. Motor performance parameters were measured in an indoor arena, where a 15-meter-long path was marked along a fence. The handler was to walk the horse along the course twice (test and measurement) at walk and trot. Stride length (using a tape measure), stride time, and stride frequency (using a handheld stopwatch) were measured, and stride index (the ratio of height at the withers to stride length) was also calculated. Selected parameters were measured three times: before the initiation of physiotherapy, after the first phase, and finally after the second phase of physiotherapy.
Based on the results, it was concluded that physiotherapy affected stride length. Improvements in this parameter were visible at both the walk and trot. A similar situation occurred with stride index. The parameter that showed no visible changes was step frequency, while stride time showed no clear trends. Due to the short duration of the experiment, continued research would be advisable, which would allow for the development of standards for the use of various physiotherapy treatments.
Keywords: efficiency; LED light blanket; physiotherapy
How to cite
Zeliszewska-Duk P., Strzelec K., Fisiak Z., Skowerska-Wiśniewska A., Wilk I., 2026. The influence of selected physiotherapeutic treatments on the motor performance indicators of horses. In: 5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.A040