What is equine mesotherapy?
Equine mesotherapy is a minimally invasive treatment that involves injecting small amounts of medication into the skin over targeted areas. It may be used to help manage muscle pain, tension, and localized inflammation, particularly along the neck, back, and other areas of the musculoskeletal system. Mesotherapy can be incorporated into a comprehensive treatment plan to improve comfort, mobility, and overall performance.
What to expect at your horse’s mesotherapy treatment
Treatment begins with an exam to find where your horse is sore and to rule out other causes of pain. On the day of treatment, your horse is usually lightly sedated, and the skin over the area is cleaned and prepared. Your veterinarian then gives a series of very small, shallow injections into the skin using fine needles.
Small bumps may appear at the injection sites and usually fade within a few days. You will likely be asked not to wash the area or put tack over it for a couple of days afterward.
Could mesotherapy help your horse?
Mesotherapy may be worth discussing if your horse shows signs of neck or back discomfort, such as:
- Resisting saddling, girthing or mounting
- Stiffness or reluctance to bend
- Shortened stride or a drop in performance
- Sensitivity when the back or neck is brushed or pressed
It is often one part of a larger plan that may include other therapies, conditioning and a saddle fit check. Mesotherapy eases discomfort but does not cure the underlying cause, so finding and addressing the source of pain comes first.
Is your horse sore through the back or neck?
Call (952) 435-8387 to schedule an evaluation and find out whether mesotherapy fits your horse’s care plan.
Mesotherapy - FAQ
What is injected during mesotherapy?
Mesotherapy delivers small amounts of medication directly into the middle layer of the skin with very fine needles, with the goal of treating a local area while keeping the overall drug dose low. The medications used vary. A recent study in horses with spinal problems compared a corticosteroid (dexamethasone) with saline and found similar responses with both. Source: Frontiers in Veterinary Science
How soon will I see results, and how long do they last?
Most horses show improvement within five to seven days of treatment. Depending on how your horse responds, treatments may need to be repeated every 6 to 12 months. Mesotherapy relieves pain and muscle spasm but does not reverse existing changes in the back, so ongoing management still matters. Source: Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine
What are the signs of back pain in horses?
Back problems are a common cause of poor performance and gait changes. Signs can include pain under the saddle area, reluctance to bend the back, a change in performance, and uneven or poorly developed hindquarter muscles. Because several conditions look alike, finding the exact cause can be challenging and often takes a thorough exam. Source: Merck Veterinary Manual
Why does my horse need a full exam first?
Neck and back soreness can be linked to problems elsewhere, including lameness. A thorough evaluation includes your horse’s history, a hands-on exam of the limbs, back and neck, watching your horse move and, when needed, a neurologic exam, nerve blocks and imaging. This makes sure mesotherapy is treating the right problem. Source: Merck Veterinary Manual
Can mesotherapy be combined with other treatments?
Yes. In equine back pain cases, mesotherapy is one of several therapies veterinarians may add alongside options such as shockwave, acupuncture and chiropractic care. It can also be performed without corticosteroids when those are not a good choice for your horse. We offer shockwave, acupuncture and chiropractic care here as well. Source: AAEP Proceedings
