Kinesiology Taping for Equine Back Pain: Sticking to Science

Kayleigh Kruger
Sep 18, 2025
3 min read

Back pain in horses is more common than many people realize. Whether it's due to poor saddle fit, muscular imbalance or repetitive strain, discomfort in the thoracolumbar region can significantly affect performance, behavior and your horse's overall well-being.

One increasingly popular tool in equine rehabilitation is Kinesiology taping or K-Tape. K-Tape is an elastic therapeutic tape that, when applied correctly, supports healing, improves mobility and enhances proprioception.

But how does it work? And more importantly, does it actually work for equine back pain? Let's take a dive into what recent research studies show us.

What Is Kinesiology Taping?

Kinesiology tape is a stretchy, adhesive fabric tape designed to mimic the properties of skin. When applied correctly, it can:

Stimulate sensory receptors in the skin and fascia
Improve circulation and lymphatic flow
Support muscle activation or relaxation
Reduce pain through neuromodulation
- Neuromodulation refers to the process of altering nerve activity by delivering targeted stimuli - such as pressure, electrical impulses or sensory input - aiding in reduced pain, improved muscle function or restoration of normal movement patterns.

Why Correct Application Matters

While Kinesiology tape is gentle and non-invasive, improper application can lead to adverse effects, such as:

Skin irritation
Discomfort
Failure to achieve the desired therapeutic effect
Incorrect muscle signaling & activation

Taping should always be done by a trained professional - or at the least, under their guidance. Factors like tape tension, direction and anatomical landmarks are critical to successful application.

How Does Taping Help with Back Pain?

Although back pain in horses can be complex and have multiple causes - it often stems from poor posture, weak abdominal muscles or compensatory movement patterns. K-Tape can assist by:

Improves circulation - therefore improving blood flow and nutrition to surrounding muscles
Encouraging correct muscle activation - e.g., better engagement of abdominal muscles to support the spine.
Improving range of motion
Reducing mechanical nociceptive sensitivity - decreasing the pain response to pressure.

Research Highlights

An extract from King, et al. "Effects of elastic therapeutic tape on thoracolumbar epaxial muscle pain in horses" — An extract from King, *et al*. "Effects of elastic therapeutic tape on thoracolumbar epaxial muscle pain in horses"

A very recent study was done by King, et el. (2024) on the effects of elastic therapeutic tape on thoracolumbar epaxial muscle pain in horses. Their findings support kinesiology taping as a promising adjunct in equine musculoskeletal therapy, alongside physiotherapy and exercise. [1]

A study done in 2022 by Biau & Burgaud showed that kinesiology taping on abdominal muscles immediately increased longitudinal activity at a trot and that this benefit was still present after the lunging session. [2] Thus, suggesting enhanced core engagement and spinal support.

A 2020 study published in Animals journal, by Ericson, et al., explored K-Tape’s effect on flexion-extension of the thoracolumbar spine when applied to the abdominal muscles. While results varied between individual horses, some horses showed improved range of motion and posture when taped along their abdominals. [3]

A study by Piqueres & Jackson (2021) shows that taping had a significant impact on reducing a horse's mechanical nociceptive sensitivity. The authors said "following taping removal ... there is a clinically significant decrease of the sensitivity to palpation" [4]. In other words - taping significantly reduced back pain in these horses.

Considering Taping for Your Horse

K-Tape is extremely versatile and offers a variety of therapeutic benefits, depending on the application. However, with regards to equine back pain, here are a few reasons we may consider taping as part of your horse's treatment plan:

Signs of discomfort or stiffness through the back
Improper muscle activation or engagement
Recovering from injury or surgery
Poor posture
Saddle-related discomfort
Needs support during a training transition

Final Thoughts

While Kinesiology taping offers valuable support in managing equine back pain, it should always be viewed as part of a broader, integrated treatment plan. Optimal results are achieved when taping is combined with targeted physiotherapy techniques such as manual therapy, therapeutic exercises and postural retraining. Correct saddle fit will always play a big role in your horse's comfort.

Complementary interventions help to address the underlying causes of discomfort, promote long-term musculoskeletal balance and ensure that the tape’s effects are reinforced through movement and rehabilitation.

A collaborative approach - guided by a qualified veterinary physiotherapist -ensures that each modality works synergistically to support your horse’s comfort, recovery and performance.