The Use of Thermography in the Assessment of Physical Therapy Devices in Racehorses

The aim of this study was to analyze the potential application of thermography as a tool for evaluating the effects of selected physical therapy modalities in clinically healthy horses. The study discusses the use of thermography to assess the physiological responses of equine tissues subjected to laser therapy, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, and magnetotherapy. Based on a review of the literature and clinical research findings, thermography has been shown to enable an objective evaluation of therapeutic effects and may serve as an indicator of the safety of prophylactic procedures in clinically healthy horses. The development and standardization of thermography in the assessment of physical therapy effects may contribute to the unification of therapeutic protocols, improved treatment efficacy, and the enhancement of care standards for sport horses.