Some conditions that can benefit from kinesiology tape are: ACL and other knee related injuries in dogs, back pain in dogs and horses, hind end weakness in dogs due to IVDD, spina bifida, arthritis, or DM, suspensory ligament injuries in horses, post surgical swelling in all animals and stocking up in horses. A recent study in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science showed a significant reduction in swelling after 24 hours of kinesiology taping in horses with arthroscopic tibio-patellofemoral surgery. (http://www.j-evs.com/article/S0737-0806(16)30525-1/abstract)

While kinesiology taping is a very safe and effective technique, there are specific ways to cut and apply the tape for the condition being treated and there are contraindications to utilizing this tape as well.  Proper training is required to be able to adequately add kinesiology taping to your practice.
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Angel’s Animals - Holistic Online Courses, offers kinesiology taping certification courses for both Equine and Canine practitioners.  These courses can be completed from anywhere in the world and do not have time limitations.  The courses are taught by Dr. Angelique Barbara who is a Doctor of Chiropractic with a BS in Veterinary Science and a MS in Veterinary Pathobiology.  Dr. Barbara was one of the first practitioners to start using kinesiology tape on animals and she developed these comprehensive courses to share her applications and experience with other practitioners.  

There are protocols available for the following conditions:
abscess, arthritsi, joint stiffnesss, soreness, bone density, bowed tendon, bucked shins, cellulitis, check ligament injuries, colic, bushings, EMP, equine bleeders, fetlock, sesamoid and pastern injuries, hip injuries, hocks, hoof issues including navicular disease, bruised feet, heel pain, thin soles, hoof growth, underrun heels, pedal osteitis, knee injuries, laminitis, muscle atrophy, navicular region pain, deep digital tendon injury, post performance, nervous, hard to manage, pre performance, scar tissue, adhesions, shoulder joint injury, sore backs and overall muscle soreness, splints, stifle joint injuries, suspensory ligament injuries, travel stress and wound healing

Most horses experience some degree of back pain either from a saddle that doesn't fit perfectly, a rider who isn't completely balanced or just sore muscles from exercise.  This back pain reduction taping is a very easy way to decrease your horse's pain and support the muscles along your horse's back during exercise!

• 4-inch and 2-inch Kinesiology Tape (recommend the Equine Big Daddy and Equine standard tape from RockTape)
• Scissors to cut the tape (recommend teflon coated scissors because the glue on the tape will "gum up" your scissors)

• Start by cutting a piece of the 4-inch (BigDaddy) tape long enough to run from behind  your horse's shoulder blade (at their withers) to the high point on their hind end
• Cut a second 4-inch piece of tape the same length as the first piece (you can use the 1st piece to measure the second)
• Starting behind your horse's shoulder blade on the left side of the horse, place the tape down about 1-2 inches from your horse's spine (running parallel to it)
• Do the same thing on the right side of your horse
• Cut 2 2-inch pieces of tape long enough to go across your horse's back, over the 2 strips of tape with 1-2 inches overlapping on each side
• Place one piece perpendicular (directly over) the 4-inch pieces just behind your horse's withers
• Place the second piece in the same manner on your horse's lower back

• Ride and work your horse as you normally would - the tape stretches as your horse moves which triggers the pain reduction response and minimizes muscle spasms
• Your horse can be saddled over the tape, but make sure to work your horse on the ground first when the tape is first applied so they can get used to the feeling before riding
• The tape is waterproof, so you can still hose your horse down after a ride
• This taping will normally stay on for 1 week and can be worn during turnout or under a blanket or sheet
• Reapply as needed and make sure to always remove it along your horse's hair direction, not against it
  • There will be some hair that comes off with the tape, but it is hair that was ready to naturally shed off, so no worries