Bringing Human Sports Medicine to Equine Rehabilitation: Inside Animal Wellbeing Ltd.
- Mar 9
- 9 min read
Breakthroughs in human sports medicine have become a major influence for those seeking the best in rehabilitative care for their working and companion animals. Inspired by these advances in medical technologies, UK-based Animal Wellbeing Ltd. has developed the latest in portable non-invasive therapy solutions for equines and other animals alike.
By Aleksandra Spasic, Horse & Industry
All images courtesy of Animal Wellbeing Ltd.
Published March 9, 2026
Animal rehabilitation is increasingly influenced by technologies and innovations developed for human athletes. One company that has succeeded in bridging this gap is Animal Wellbeing Ltd., which focuses on the use of non-invasive therapy systems to treat horses and other working animals such as camels and canines. They aim to bring advanced rehabilitation technologies from human physiotherapy into veterinary medicine. Founded in the UK by John Corbett and Max Reeve, the company has been working to become a global leader in veterinary rehabilitation across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.
Their Animal Therapy System (ATS) was inspired by the Medical Therapy System (MTS), developed in 2016 to treat human athletes through the combination of shock-wave and electromagnetic technologies. Animal Wellbeing Ltd. has refined this system into an accessible and portable platform consisting of a multi-wavelength Class 4 laser that works at the cellular level to stimulate cell production and support tissue repair, and a Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (PEMF) magnetic loop device designed to enhance circulation and tissue efficiency across larger areas.
From Human Sports Medicine to Veterinary Innovation
The origins of Animal Wellbeing Ltd. reflect a broader trend within rehabilitation medicine: the transfer of technologies first developed for elite human athletes into veterinary care. In human sport, physiotherapy, recovery technology, and injury prevention systems have become central components of performance management. Similar approaches are increasingly being explored in equine sport, where recovery timelines and long-term soundness are critical to both welfare and performance outcomes.
"Animal Wellbeing began with a question rather than a product. How do we support recovery properly instead of simply reacting to injury?" - Max Reeve
Like many entrepreneurs in the animal care sector, the company’s founding story is closely tied to a personal experience, in this case involving a horse in need of advanced treatment. Co-founder John Corbett's search for a state-of-the-art solution for his own horse highlighted a gap between the rehabilitation technologies available in human medicine and those commonly used in equine care.
Reeve takes us back to the beginnings of Animal Wellbeing Ltd.:
"John had been working in human performance since 2016, helping athletes rehabilitate from serious musculoskeletal issues. What stood out to him was that when recovery was structured and consistent, outcomes improved dramatically. It was not about shortcuts, it was about creating the right biological environment for healing."
"Around that time, he was managing horses with tendon and lymphatic challenges and began carefully applying similar recovery principles. The parallels were clear, but horses required their own calibration and safety considerations."
This experience ultimately helped shape the company’s direction, leading to the adaptation of existing human rehabilitation technology for use in animals. However the system still needed improvements in usability and efficiency.
Reeve talks about the refinement of the company's trajectory since his involvement began:
"When I joined in 2024, our focus sharpened. We combined John’s technical background with my experience in research, development and business strategy, building systems that are structured, safe and grounded in evidence. The aim has always been the same, whether for a racehorse or a companion animal: reduce suffering, extend careers and improve quality of life."
Co-Founder Spotlight: Max Reeve
Animal Wellbeing’s co-founder Max Reeve brings a unique perspective to the company's development with a background combining his experience in sport and business with a longstanding connection to horses. Reeve grew up around the equestrian world through family involvement in showjumping, while exposure to high-performance athletics gave him an early appreciation for the importance of recovery and injury management.
Recalling his own personal experiences:
"I have dealt with joint injuries myself and learned first hand that pushing through pain without proper rehabilitation does not make you stronger. It limits you."
These experiences ultimately informed his decision to help launch Animal Wellbeing Ltd. alongside co-founder John Corbett when the opportunity arose. For Reeve, the company’s mission reflects both the athletic demands placed on performance horses and the broader responsibility involved in caring for them.
As Reeve explains:
“Horses were always around me. My uncle spent decades in showjumping and my great-grandfather served in the cavalry, so from an early age I understood that horses are not simply animals, they are partners, athletes and often part of the family. That perspective shaped how I saw the industry long before I worked within it.”
The company’s philosophy, he says, is grounded in a simple principle: protecting equine potential before it is lost through injury or inadequate rehabilitation. Drawing on lessons from human sport, Reeve believes that proper recovery and preventative care are essential not only for performance but also for the long-term welfare of the horse.
“For me,” he adds, “it has never been just about performance, but about responsibility and giving animals the best possible chance at long, healthy lives.”
The Technology Behind the ATS System
Animal Wellbeing’s Animal Therapy System (ATS) is designed to deliver non-invasive therapy through a combination of pulsed electromagnetic and laser-based treatments. The system has been engineered for portability and ease of use, allowing it to be deployed in stables, veterinary clinics, and training facilities.
The ATS Loop focuses on electromagnetic therapy, while the ATS Laser delivers targeted multi wavelength laser treatment. Together, the technologies aim to support recovery from soft-tissue injuries, reduce inflammation, and promote tissue regeneration.
"Rehabilitation can appear complicated from the outside, but our goal has always been to simplify it." – Max Reeve
Non-invasive therapies have become an increasingly important component of modern equine care. Techniques such as underwater treadmills, therapeutic massage, and physiotherapy are widely used across veterinary and training settings. Animal Wellbeing Ltd. positions its system as a complementary tool within this broader rehabilitation landscape.
Asked how their ATS system differs from existing techniques such as hydrotherapy or massage therapy, Reeve noted:
"Unlike tools such as underwater treadmills or manual therapy, which focus on movement and mechanical load, our systems target the biology beneath the surface. They are not designed to replace traditional methods, but to strengthen the overall programme and shift the emphasis from crisis management to structured prevention."
Traditional therapies also often require complex infrastructure or veterinary supervision, whereas the ATS systems are more accessible.
Reeve explains:
"Another key difference is accessibility. With guided pre-set protocols and training, the systems can be integrated into daily yard routines without disruption. When recovery becomes part of the rhythm rather than an emergency response, injury rates fall and longevity improves."
While traditional rehabilitation approaches focus primarily on physical conditioning and muscular recovery, electromagnetic and laser-based therapies target cellular and tissue-level processes. This distinction, the company argues, can offer an additional layer of therapeutic support during recovery.
Certification and Clinical Standards
The ATS system has received Medical CE and TÜV certification, indicating compliance with European medical device standards and safety requirements. In practical terms, these certifications confirm that the technology has undergone testing and verification processes related to safety, manufacturing quality, and performance.
In an industry where veterinary technologies must balance innovation with regulatory compliance, such certifications play a significant role in building trust among veterinary professionals and equine practitioners.
Reeve explained the significance of these certifications:
"Medical CE certification confirms that our devices meet European standards for safety, health protection and performance. That includes structured risk assessments, verified manufacturing processes and documented testing. When you are working with high powered therapeutic equipment, that level of control matters."
Following this certification, the company decided to pursue additional independent third party testing through TÜV certification to ensure the reliability and build quality of their products. External validation and accountability are key components of Animal Wellbeing Ltd.'s foundation.
In terms of compliance with major equestrian organizations, Reeves notes that:
"Our magnetic loop systems are also FEI compliant, meaning they can be used within regulated competition environments. If welfare is the priority, then compliance has to support that goal rather than restrict it and certification ultimately comes down to trust."
As veterinary rehabilitation technologies become more sophisticated, regulatory oversight is expected to play an increasingly important role in ensuring that devices meet established medical and safety standards.
Adoption Across International Markets
Animal Wellbeing operates across multiple regions, including Europe and the Middle East. These two markets present very different regulatory and cultural landscapes for equine care.
According to Reeve, the Middle Eastern market has often demonstrated a strong appetite for innovation and emerging technologies. By contrast, European markets tend to be more rooted in tradition and governed by stricter regulatory frameworks.
He notes that in the Middle East, "heritage is strong, but so is the appetite for innovation." Whereas in Europe, "there is depth, protocol and decades of refinement behind clinical standards."
This dynamic can create both challenges and opportunities for companies introducing new treatment technologies.
Having worked extensively in both regions, Reeve sees their complementary strengths:
"Europe brings structure and regulatory maturity. The Middle East brings speed, investment and scale. Together, they have the potential to influence global standards in performance-led welfare."
Despite these differences, the global nature of equestrian sport means that developments in one region often influence practices in another. As technologies become more widely adopted, cross-regional collaboration may accelerate the evolution of rehabilitation standards.
The Future of Non-Invasive Recovery Technologies in Equine Rehabilitation
The growing emphasis on horse welfare and injury prevention is likely to drive further interest in rehabilitation technologies. In recent years, equestrian governing bodies and veterinary researchers have increasingly emphasized preventative care and recovery management as essential components of responsible sport.
Reeve believes that non-invasive therapies will continue to play an expanding role within this framework and that the shift is already underway.
"Injections and short term fixes may quieten symptoms, but they rarely address the underlying stress pattern. Over time that approach shortens careers."
"The industry is beginning to recognise that prevention is more powerful than reaction." - Max Reeve
He continues, "As technology becomes more precise and data driven, non-invasive systems will integrate naturally into daily conditioning. The future lies in managing load, circulation and tissue health so effectively that crisis intervention becomes less frequent. Longevity will become more valuable than short term gain, and structured recovery will no longer be optional."
Advances in veterinary science, data monitoring, and recovery technology may also contribute to a shift toward more proactive health management strategies within equestrian sport.
Experiences in the Field
Working directly with performance horses across international markets has given Animal Wellbeing Ltd. a unique perspective on how rehabilitation technologies are used in real-world settings.
The company's work in the Middle East has allowed for some memorable experiences for Reeve and Corbett such as spending time at a large camel breeding operation or driving into the night deep in the desert, lighting the way for endurance horses in training.
"Working in the desert during endurance season stands out," Reeve explains, "because of the heat, horses train through the night. I remember following them in a vehicle at two in the morning, headlights on full beam so they could see the terrain ahead. Total darkness, stars above, and the steady rhythm of hooves cutting across the sand. In those moments you feel the physical demand placed on them and the weight of responsibility that comes with it."
Reeve also recalled one particularly moving moment with a non-equine client:
"...the most powerful cases are often quieter. I think about Sting, the old bulldog we drove through the night to treat when euthanasia had been recommended. Watching him take his first unassisted steps the next day was not dramatic in a public sense, but it meant eighteen more months with the family who loved him."
Such experiences highlight both the practical applications of rehabilitation technology and the strong emotional connection between owners, trainers, and their horses.
Reeve concludes:
"Whether it’s a racehorse in Newmarket, an endurance horse in Kuwait or a dog on a kitchen floor in Spain, you are stepping into a moment where someone is hoping for more time. That trust leaves a lasting impact."
Lessons from Human Healthcare
One of the key motivations behind Animal Wellbeing Ltd.'s work has been the idea that the equine industry can learn from developments in human sports medicine. In human athletics, injury prevention, rehabilitation protocols, and performance monitoring have become highly structured disciplines supported by significant scientific research.
Reeve believes that the equine industry may benefit from adopting a similar approach where recovery and performance go hand in hand. He also stresses the importance of the horse as an athlete, highlighting the physical burdens they carry in each performance discipline, from racing to dressage and show jumping.
He further states:
"Human athletes train for a portion of the day and dedicate the remaining hours to recovery. Ice baths, physiotherapy, stretching, nutrition and structured rest are normalised." He then recalls his own experience: "I recently returned to running and realised quickly that without proper recovery I simply cannot train consistently. The body does not adapt without it."
As equestrian sport continues to evolve, the integration of veterinary science, rehabilitation technology, and performance management may play an increasingly important role in supporting both equine welfare and athletic longevity.
In closing Reeve summarizes:
"If we truly recognise the horse as the athlete, then structured recovery, intelligent nutrition, and preventive support should be embedded into daily management. When recovery sits alongside training rather than behind it, welfare improves and careers last longer."
