As a horse massage therapist for over 20 years, I’ve worked on a lot of horses—and I’m always thinking in terms of what’s going to make my job easier and what’s actually going to add results.
If something has the potential to support the horses I’m working on and build on what I’m already doing, I’m interested. And honestly… tools are fun. I like trying new things and seeing if they can make a difference.
So when the BEMER Horse-Set started getting attention in the horse world, I didn’t hesitate—I bought one.
Not because I was looking to replace massage or essential oils, but because I wanted to see if it could fit into what I was already doing in a way that actually made a difference.
After using it consistently, I definitely have a few thoughts.
Why I Decided to Try It
At the time, I already had a strong routine—both with my own horses and the horses I work on through my massage business.
But I’m always looking for ways to make things better.
If something has the potential to support what I’m already doing, improve results, or make things more efficient, I’m interested. And honestly… trying new tools is part of the fun for me.
I had used PEMF before, so I wasn’t new to the concept. But what I kept coming back to was how something fits into real life—because that matters just as much as how something works.
Some tools require more setup, more decision-making, or just more effort to use consistently. And when you’re working on multiple horses or managing your own, that adds up quickly.
Because if something isn’t easy to use, it usually ends up sitting in the tack room.
That’s what caught my attention with the BEMER Horse-Set.
It’s designed around short, consistent sessions, with a focus on better blood flow—specifically microcirculation, which is where oxygen and nutrients are exchanged at the cellular level.
That combination—something simple to use, designed for consistency, and focused on circulation—was what made me want to try it and see how it would fit alongside the work I was already doing.
What the BEMER Horse Set Actually Is
At its core, the BEMER Horse-Set is a PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field) system for horses designed to improve circulation in the horse’s body.
But what makes it a little different—and what caught my attention—is its focus on microcirculation.
Microcirculation refers to the smallest blood vessels in the body, where oxygen and nutrients are delivered to tissues and waste products are carried away. It’s a big part of how the body supports recovery, movement, and overall function.
That’s the level BEMER is designed to work on.
If you want to go deeper into how they explain it, the BEMER Group has a full breakdown of how their technology is designed to improve microcirculation.
One of the things I found really interesting was how they demonstrate changes in blood flow. You can actually watch an example of that here.
It’s not something most of us think about day to day—but it plays a role in a lot of the situations we deal with as horse owners.
For me, this is one of the reasons the BEMER Horse-Set fits so well into my routine.
It’s designed around improving circulation—which is something I pay attention to in everything I do—so it naturally became part of my routine as another way to support the horse alongside the hands-on work I’m already doing.
What Stood Out to Me Right Away (Ease of Use)
One of the first things that stood out to me with the BEMER Horse-Set was how easy it was to use.
And that might sound simple, but when you’re working on multiple horses—or even just managing your own—that matters more than people think.
You put the blanket on, press a button, choose one of three settings… and that’s it.
There’s no guessing.
No complicated setup.
No wondering if you’re doing too much or not enough.
No complicated setup.
No wondering if you’re doing too much or not enough.
It’s straightforward enough that it actually becomes part of your routine instead of something you have to think about.
And for me, that’s a big deal.
Because I’ve used tools before where I saw results… but if they’re not easy to use consistently, they don’t end up getting used the way they should.
This felt different.
It was simple enough that I could use it regularly without overthinking it—and that consistency is what made me want to keep using it.
What I Personally Noticed
After using the BEMER Horse-Set consistently, as part of my horse care routine, there were a few things that really stood out to me.
Before Riding
One of the first things I noticed was how horses felt when I used it before I got on.
They felt more ready to go right from the start.
Less of that initial stiffness, less time spent waiting for them to loosen up… just more willing to move forward from the beginning.
And if you ride regularly, you know how much that can change the whole ride.
Energy and Focus
This one surprised me a little.
I started noticing a shift in how horses felt mentally—not dull, not quiet in a flat way… just more settled and focused.
Calm, but still forward.
It’s hard to describe unless you’ve felt it, but it’s that kind of energy where the horse feels more organized and with you instead of scattered or tense.
Hind Leg Support and Stocking Up
I had a large draft mare who tended to stock up in her hind legs, and I also started using the BEMER on other horses dealing with swelling.
What stood out to me was how quickly I would notice a change after using it.
Over time, I found myself reaching for it more and more—partly because it was easy, and partly because I was seeing consistent day-to-day improvements.
In a lot of cases, I was able to rely on it more heavily and do less of some of the other things I had been doing, simply because it fit into my routine so easily and still gave me the kind of results I was looking for.
Recovery and Getting Back to Work
When I used the BEMER Horse-Set as part of a horse’s recovery routine—especially after time off due to injury—I felt like the transition back into work went more smoothly.
Horses seemed more comfortable during that process, and the progression back into work just felt more manageable overall.
I paid pretty close attention to this, and it became something I wanted to include whenever I was working with a horse coming back from time off.
Stall Rest (This Is Where It Really Matters)
This is something I think gets overlooked a lot.
There’s this idea that if a horse isn’t working, they don’t need as much support—but in my experience, it’s actually the opposite.
Horses are designed to move.
This is something I see come up a lot in my work with horses, and it’s one of the reasons I focus so much on supporting the body through things like bodywork and other natural approaches.
So when they’re on stall rest and that movement is taken away, things can start to compound—stiffness, circulation, overall comfort.
That’s when tools like the BEMER can play an even bigger role.
Not as a replacement for movement, but as a way to support the body while they’re not able to do what they’re naturally designed to do.
Supporting Comfort During Digestive Issues
I’ve also used the BEMER Horse-Set in situations where a horse was showing signs of digestive discomfort, while waiting for the vet to arrive.
And just to say it again—calling the vet is always the first step.
But if you’ve been around horses, you know that waiting period can feel long.
For me, I want to feel like I’m doing something to support the horse during that time.
That’s where this has been useful in my routine.
I’ve noticed that many times horses seem to become more settled and comfortable while I’m waiting for the vet, and that alone made it something I wanted to keep on hand.
BEMER vs Other PEMF (How I Think About It)
I’ve used different types of PEMF over the years—and I actually own a traditional PEMF device as well—so I want to be clear that this isn’t about one being better across the board.
It’s more like comparing apples to oranges.
I’ve had good results using both.
What it really comes down to for me is how it fits into real life.
As both a horse owner and a practitioner, time matters. Whether I’m working on multiple horses or fitting something into my own routine, I need tools that are effective but also realistic to use consistently.
And that’s where I find myself reaching for the BEMER Horse-Set most of the time in my day-to-day horse care.
Not because the others don’t work—but because this one is so easy to use, easy to repeat, and easy to make part of a routine without overthinking it.
For a horse owner, that’s huge.
You put it on, press a button, and you can do that day after day without needing to adjust settings or figure anything out.
And in my experience, that consistency is what really adds up over time and makes a noticeable difference in a horse’s overall comfort.
So while I’ve had results with different types of PEMF, this is the one I reach for nine times out of ten—because it works within the time I have and still gives me the kind of results I’m looking for.
Is It Worth It?
This is probably the question most people are really asking.
And yes—the BEMER Horse-Set is an investment. There’s no getting around that.
But the way I look at it is a little different.
When is investing in your horse’s comfort and overall well-being not worth it?
Because if you’ve been around horses long enough, you know how this goes.
They’re big, powerful animals…
but at the same time, they can be surprisingly fragile.
but at the same time, they can be surprisingly fragile.
Something always comes up.
And a lot of what we do as horse owners ends up being reactive—dealing with things as they happen.
But wouldn’t it make more sense to spend less time reacting—and more time doing what we can day in and day out to support them?
Not because things won’t still come up—because they will. Horses are horses.
But when you have something in place that supports them consistently, you’re not starting from scratch every time something does happen.
And at the same time, it’s also about having tools you can reach for in those moments—when something does come up and you want to support the horse as best as you can.
How I Use It Day to Day
For me, this is something that fits really naturally into what I’m already doing.
I use the BEMER Horse-Set:
- on my older horses who tend to stock up, especially in their legs
- before riding, so they feel more ready to go from the start
- on anything that pops up during the day that needs a little extra support
- and before my massage sessions, which makes a noticeable difference in how the tissue feels and how much work I actually have to do
Sessions are short, it’s easy to use, and because of that, it’s something I can stay consistent with without it feeling like one more thing to manage.
Want to Learn More?
If you’re considering the BEMER Horse-Set and trying to figure out if it makes sense for you and your horse, I’m always happy to chat.
Sometimes it’s easier to just talk it through and see how it would fit into your situation.
You can use the contact button here to reach out or set up a quick call—I’m happy to answer questions and help you think through whether it’s a good fit for you.
If you’d rather take a look on your own first, you can explore more details about the system, what’s included, and how it works on my BEMER Horse Set information page.
By the way, that link is an affiliate link, which means I may earn a small commission if you decide to purchase—at no extra cost to you. I only share tools I absolutely love and use in my own routine.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, I’m always looking for simple, consistent ways to support the horses I work with.
And for me, this is one of those tools that just makes sense—it’s easy to use, it fits into real life, and it’s something I actually reach for on a regular basis.
And when something checks those boxes and I see results, that’s what makes it worth it for me.
If you’ve ever had a horse diagnosed with insulin resistance or Cushing’s, you know this isn’t a one-and-done situation.
These conditions tend to show up slowly, evolve over time, and often bring other concerns along with them. Horses with insulin resistance, equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), or Cushing’s (PPID) are more prone to complications like laminitis in horses, which I’ve written more about in my guide on supporting horses with laminitis.
That increased susceptibility is exactly why management matters so much, and why many horse owners start looking for ways to support their horse beyond just the basics.
For me, that meant combining veterinary care, diet and supplement support, and essential oils into a whole-horse approach. Not one replacing the other, but everything working together.
When you look at these conditions this way, it stops being about finding one solution and starts being about supporting the entire system.
What Is Insulin Resistance in Horses?
The simplest way to understand insulin resistance is to think of insulin as a key, and your horse’s cells as doors.
Normally, insulin unlocks the door so sugar can enter the cell and be used for energy. With insulin resistance, that key doesn’t work properly. The doors don’t open the way they should, so sugar stays in the bloodstream.
The body responds by producing more insulin to try to compensate, and over time you end up with consistently elevated insulin levels. That imbalance is what increases the risk for complications like laminitis and other metabolic stress.
What Is Cushing’s Disease (PPID)?
Cushing’s disease in horses starts in the pituitary gland, which sits at the base of the brain and helps regulate hormones.
A simple way to think about it is that the signaling system becomes overactive. The pituitary gland sends too many messages, and the body responds by producing excess hormones. Over time, this can lead to changes like a delayed or abnormal coat, muscle loss, shifts in energy, and increased susceptibility to other issues, including insulin dysregulation.
It’s also very common for horses with Cushing’s to have overlapping metabolic concerns, which is why these conversations tend to go hand-in-hand.
Where Essential Oils Fit in a Metabolic Horse Program
Let’s be very clear about this, because it matters.
Essential oils are not a replacement for veterinary diagnosis, bloodwork, medication prescribed by your vet, diet and forage management, or hoof care. Those are foundational.
At the same time, essential oils are not just “extra” either.
There is research showing that essential oils can influence the nervous system, support a healthy response to inflammation, and interact with the body through the olfactory system in ways that affect both brain and body function. That means they can play a meaningful role in how a horse processes stress, maintains balance, and responds to its environment.
I like to think of this in terms of a circle of support.
Veterinary care, nutrition, environment, routine, and essential oils all sit inside that circle. Each one influences the others. When they’re working together, you get a very different result than when any one piece is missing.
What the Research Says About Essential Oils and Metabolic Health
There is emerging research looking at essential oils in horses with metabolic concerns, particularly around insulin regulation.
One study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science looked at insulin-dysregulated horses given a plant-based essential oil blend orally over several weeks. The horses showed improvements in some markers of insulin sensitivity, especially those with more significant dysregulation.
If you’re curious, you can read the full study in Frontiers in Veterinary Science.
What makes this interesting is not just the outcome, but the compounds involved. Essential oils contain naturally occurring components like cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, thymol, and carvacrol, which have been studied in other species for their roles in metabolism, inflammation, and cellular signaling.
At the same time, this was a proprietary blend, and research in this area is still developing. So rather than treating this as a definitive answer, it’s better viewed as a strong indication that essential oils are interacting with metabolic pathways in ways that are worth paying attention to.
What I’ve Personally Used with My Metabolic Horses
This isn’t theoretical for me. I’ve had one horse with insulin resistance who went on to founder, and another with Cushing’s who also developed laminitis, which is something I go into more detail on in my laminitis support guide.
In both cases, I used essential oils as part of a broader plan that included veterinary care, appropriate supplements, and management changes.
The oils I kept coming back to were consistent, simple, and chosen for how they supported the horse as a whole.
Calming and Nervous System Support
For calming and nervous system support, I’ve relied heavily on lavender and Roman chamomile. Lavender is familiar to most people, but Roman chamomile became a favorite after seeing how clearly one of my horses responded to it. It’s gentle, grounding, and especially helpful for more sensitive horses.
If you want a deeper dive on how I use Roman chamomile with horses, you can read my Roman chamomile guide here.
I’ve also used vetiver when I wanted something deeper and more stabilizing for the nervous system.
Metabolic Support Oils
When looking at metabolic support, ginger and cinnamon come up frequently. Ginger is often associated with circulation and metabolic function, and it’s also referenced in discussions around essential oil compounds and metabolism.
Cinnamon is talked about extensively in the context of blood sugar and insulin sensitivity in other animals, which is why it continues to show up in conversations around metabolic horses.
While that doesn’t make it a proven treatment, it does make it relevant.
Whole-Body Wellness Support
For overall wellness, frankincense and copaiba have been staples for me. These are the oils I reach for when I’m not targeting a single issue, but instead supporting the body’s ability to stay balanced and respond appropriately.
There are also other oils you’ll see mentioned in this space, including lemongrass, basil, and geranium. Geranium is particularly interesting because of its association with hormone balance in aromatherapy, which makes it a natural fit for conversations around endocrine health, even if that connection is anecdotal.
Do Essential Oils Actually Work When Horses Smell Them?
How Essential Oils Affect the Brain and Body
This is one of the most common questions, and the answer is yes, there is more happening than just a pleasant scent.
When your horse smells an essential oil, tiny aromatic molecules enter the nasal passages and interact with receptors that send signals directly to the brain. These signals influence areas responsible for emotion, stress response, and hormonal regulation.
That’s why scent can have such a noticeable effect. It’s not just emotional, it’s neurological and physiological.
There is even research looking specifically at lavender and horses, showing measurable effects on stress responses, including changes in heart rate and relaxation behavior, which you can read more about in this lavender study on horses here.
How I Use Essential Oils in Practice
Aromatic Use
Aromatic use is often the starting point. Letting a horse smell an oil and observing their response can tell you a lot. Some will lean in, some will turn away, and that feedback matters.
Topical Use
Topically, I use oils along the spine as part of massage or bodywork. This can be as simple as a few drops diluted and applied during a quiet moment at the barn. It’s also where techniques like raindrop can fit in, especially if you’re already doing hands-on work with your horse.
Oral Use
Oral use is where things become more controversial, and it’s important to acknowledge that.
I do use essential oils orally with my horses, but I do so intentionally. Not every essential oil is created equal, and quality matters here. If you’re considering internal use, the oils need to be labeled appropriately and come from a company that is transparent about sourcing and testing.
I’ve personally visited the farms where my oils are produced, and that level of transparency is a big part of why I trust them.
If you want to explore the oils I personally use, you can browse them here.
When introducing oils internally, I always start with a single drop and make sure the horse will eat it. From there, I slowly increase. For my mini, that looked like three to five drops, and for a larger horse, up to around ten. Cinnamon, ginger, copaiba, and frankincense were the primary oils I used this way, typically mixed into a portion of feed.
It’s also worth noting that essential oils are not as foreign to the diet as they might seem. If you look at many commercial feeds, you’ll often find essential oils listed as flavoring agents or preservatives. Rosemary oil is one example, but others are used as well, which means horses are already being exposed to these compounds in controlled amounts.
Supporting the Whole Horse
Alongside essential oils, I’ve used supplements recommended by my veterinarian, including chromium for insulin resistance and chaste tree berry for Cushing’s. These are widely available and can be very budget-friendly depending on what you choose.
If you’re working with a vet, it’s always a good idea to ask what they prefer or recommend for your specific horse, especially when it comes to supplements and long-term management.
If you’re interested in incorporating essential oils more intentionally, it can be helpful to work with a veterinarian who is trained in aromatherapy or integrative care.
Most traditional veterinarians aren’t trained in essential oils, so if you ask about something outside of their scope, they’re often going to default to saying no. That doesn’t mean they’re wrong—it just means they’re working within the training they’ve been given.
If you want more guidance in this area, it can be really valuable to find a veterinarian who understands both sides.
There isn’t currently a simple, reliable directory specifically for veterinarians trained in aromatherapy. However, many holistic and integrative veterinarians do have experience with essential oils or are at least open to working with them appropriately.
You can start your search through organizations like the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, which offers a practitioner directory and can help you find veterinarians who take a more integrative approach
Final Thoughts
When you’re managing a horse with insulin resistance or Cushing’s, there isn’t one single answer.
There is a system.
Veterinary care, nutrition, environment, routine, and essential oils all work together. When they’re used thoughtfully and consistently, they create a level of support that no single piece can provide on its own.
Essential oils can be a part of that system.
And when you start to see them that way, they become a meaningful part of how you support your horse every day.
Want to Learn More?
If you’d like a simple starting point for using essential oils with your horse, I’ve put together a beginner-friendly guide to help you get started. You can access it here.
Affiliate Disclosure
This post may contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my small business.
