Equine kinesiology tape is an elastic & adhesive veterinary kinesiology tape is being sold under the brandname VetkinTape® and developed specifically for veterinary (i.e. equine and canine) purposes.
VetkinTape® is used by veterinary physiotherapists and other veterinary professionals to:
- relieve pain
- improve muscle function
- blood circulation & lymphatic flow
-
support joints
Development of equine kinesiology tape
Back in 2007, therapists who were working with animals started experimenting with kinesiology tape, and they noticed impressive results, particularly with horses. However, it quickly became clear that the existing tape, designed for humans, needed to be adapted for animals. One of the main challenges was improving the tape’s adhesion to animal coats, which led to a period of focused research and development.
To meet this demand, we at THYSOL began collaborating with veterinary experts to develop a specialised tape. The result was VetkinTape®, a product specifically tailored for animals. It’s produced in our own factory in South Korea, allowing us to control every aspect of its quality and performance. This dedication to innovation and collaboration has made VetkinTape® a unique product in the kinesiology market.
So, how is taping an animal like a horse different from taping a human? The differences go beyond the obvious—it requires a deeper understanding of animal anatomy and behavior, as well as the need for products that can handle the challenges of an animal’s environment.
Get started with these items to tape horses
-
VetkinTape® veterinary tape 6cm x 5m
BestsellerIn stockSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
VetkinTape® veterinary tape 10cm x 5m
$34.95In stockSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
VetkinTape® veterinary tape 3cm x 5m
$26.50In stockSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
VetkinTape® Equine Introductory offer
BestsellerIn stockAdd to cart
History of kinesiology taping
Elastic tape was first developed in Japan during the 1970s, based on the principles of “Kinematics,” known as “Kinesiology” in English. This innovative therapy later expanded in Korea, where it continued to evolve.
Unlike traditional white athletic tape, kinesiology tape works by relieving muscle tension and promoting the body’s natural healing abilities. The tape’s unique “lifting” effect on the skin activates various sensory systems, leading to immediate improvements in function. This helps speed up recovery from injuries and other physical complaints.
In the late 90s, THYSOL, recognizing the potential of this revolutionary taping method, began training European therapists through the Medical Taping Concept (MTC®). By 2003, we developed and registered our own brand of kinesiology tape—CureTape®. Since then, CureTape® and the MTC® method have become widely used across the Netherlands. Today, around 72% of physiotherapy practices offer kinesiology taping as part of their treatment, making it the second most common therapy after general physiotherapy.
The immediate and positive effects that therapists and their patients experience with medical taping speak for themselves. Could adding taping to your existing treatment methods enhance your patients’ recovery?
How does equine kinesiology tape affect horses?
In humans, kinesiology tape lifts the skin, creating small “convolutions” that stimulate the underlying tissue, promoting the body’s self-healing abilities. This process leads to quicker recovery from a range of health issues. For humans with significant body hair, we typically recommend shaving the treatment area before applying the tape for better adhesion..
Why don’t we shave the horses when applying equine kinesiology tape?
While VetkinTape® adheres best to short or trimmed fur, full shaving of the animal’s coat is not necessary. If the coat is particularly thick, curly, or long, trimming can improve results. It’s important that the area is free of dust and grease for optimal tape performance. You can opt for an extra adhesive spray or clean the coat beforehand with our pre-taping cleansing spray. When applied to a short coat, VetkinTape® sends signals through the hair roots to the skin, similar to how it works on humans, allowing the tape to activate various systems within the body.
Using VetkinTape® on horses can enhance the effectiveness of other treatments administered by the therapist. On average, the tape adheres to a horse’s coat for 3 to 5 days, depending on the location of the application, temperature, and other climatic conditions.
VetkinTape® is used for:
- Activating blood and lymph circulation in cases of swelling and bruising
- Treating stocking up (swollen legs/edema in horses)
- Influencing fascial structures
- Treating scars
- Tendon injuries and inflammations
- (Post) treatment of musculoskeletal injuries
- Improving muscle function (increasing or decreasing muscle tone)
Product features of VetkinTape®:
- 25% stronger adhesive layer than human tapes, latex-free
- Available in three different sizes: 3cm, 6cm, and 10cm, making it ideal for extra wide applications. This variety in width sets it apart from the standard 5cm width used for human kinesiology tapes.
- Available in a variety of colours depending on the size
- Hypoallergenic, water-resistant, and breathable.
- Specially developed for the veterinary market, not suitable for human skin!
Never worked with VetkinTape before? Try out our Introductory Offer
This offer will help veterinary professionals kick-start their taping-activities. The different sizes of VetkinTape® allow you to try various taping techniques, which are fully explained in the manual included with this offer. The VetkinTape® Equine Kinesiology Taping Book provides the foundation needed to provide veterinary taping applications.
This introduction offer consists of:
- Two VetkinTape® 6 cm rolls (1x Blue & 1x Black),
- One VetkinTape® 10 cm roll (Blue),
- One VetkinTape® 3 cm rolls (1 box with 2 Black rolls),
- Pair of VetkinTape® scissors
- Book: VetkinTape® Kinesiology Taping for Horses (appropriate uses, basic concepts, taping techniques, application and tips specifically for taping animals).
Experiences from the Field
This case was kindly shared by Animal Physiotherapist Anouk Bos;
This case involves a 10-year-old horse classified in Z2 dressage. In February, the horse became lame, as can clearly be seen in video 1. The horse was treated by a veterinarian and osteopath, and since May, it is no longer lame. However, the horse was still moving cautiously and stiffly, especially in its hind legs, so the rider did not feel confident enough to start training him again, as seen in video 2.After observing the horse, I decided to treat him solely with VetkinTape. The videos show the difference made by applying only detoning muscle tape on this horse. After two days of lunging with the tape, the horse moved so well and freely through his body that the rider is now able to ride him again, as seen in video 3.
THYSOL is the manufacturer of the kinesiology tape brand CureTape. As CureTape, we have been training and supplying professionals for 25 years. And consumers now know how to find us too! By manufacturing all our tapes in our own factory, we can guarantee the best quality!
Please note that the indicated tape applications and information on our website about the possibilities with kinesiology tape have not yet been scientifically proven. The statements and examples mentioned are based on long-term experiences of patients and trained therapists.
Contraindications not to tape: pregnancy, open wounds, broken bones, unexplained complaints, allergies and skin diseases, use of medication such as blood thinners, thrombosis and fever. Always apply tape in consultation with a specialist.