Kinesiology taping
for horses
WHAT IS KINESIOLOGY TAPING?
Kinesiology, derived from the Greek *kinesis* (movement) and *logos* (study), is the scientific discipline concerned with the analysis of body movement, integrating principles from anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and neuroscience. It serves as the theoretical foundation for various therapeutic and performance-based interventions in both human and veterinary medicine.
Kinesiology taping is a therapeutic intervention grounded in this discipline, involving the application of elastic adhesive tape to the skin. It is designed to support soft tissues without restricting physiological range of motion, and to provide sensory input that may modulate pain, enhance neuromuscular control, and facilitate functional movement patterns.
So how exactly does taping work?
The high quality fabrics contain elastic fibres which are coated with adhesives exclusively developed for horse hair. When applied, the tape sticks to the skin and hair which creates a lifting action. This decompresses the tissue and increases circulation in that area.
Taping creates a space between the tissues that relieves pressure on the vascular system and nerve fibres which in turn decreases pain for the horse. If the superficial fascia is tight, the recoil of the tape over time creates a gentle pull causing it to release.
How can it help my horse?
Tape is applied to the skin or coat of animals with the aim of:
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Stimulating cutaneous mechanoreceptors to influence muscle tone, relieving spasm.
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Assisting with lymphatic drainage by microscopically lifting the skin, reducing local pressure and promoting interstitial fluid movement
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Providing proprioceptive feedback to the brain to support posture or guide movement
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Modulating fascial tension and reduce soft tissue adhesions and scarring.
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Reducing hematomas and bruising
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Offers light mechanical support to joints or musculature during rehabilitation or in young horses with unstable joints. Helps to improve range of motion.
At Step by Step our taping is always guided by clinical reasoning and it is integrated within a comprehensive physiotherapeutic approach.
Ground breaking Collaboration
with Christa Veinotte
We are delighted to announce a new and exciting collaboration for the UK, between Sarah Smith of Step by Step Veterinary Physiotherapy and Christa Veinotte, developer of Hestaband.
Christa is a Canadian-trained Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) and equine rehabilitation specialist with a clinical career beginning in 1999, during which she has completed over 60,000 treatments and worked extensively with high-performance and FEI-level horses across disciplines. She specializes in advanced lymphatic drainage, craniosacral therapy, and equine kinesiology taping, becoming the first Canadian to formally study equine kinesiology taping.
Frustrated by the limitations of existing human-grade tapes when applied in equine practice—particularly issues with adhesion and fabric performance—she spent years in research, prototyping, and clinical trials to develop a tape specifically suited to animal use. This work led to the creation of Hestaband™, a dedicated equine kinesiology tape line, with iterations tested by therapists in multiple countries and tailored for therapeutic and performance applications in horses and other animals.
Sarah is delighted to study with Christa and will be travelling to Canada during 2026 to attend the advanced taping course in person. Step By Step is excited to become an authorized reseller of Hestaband™ products from January 12th 2026.
Hestaband expertise direct to your horse!
Christa and Sarah are working on bringing the huge experience that Christa has directly to your horse in 2026 by running her hugely popular 2 day basic course here in the Midlands. This will enable horse owners, therapists, trainers and livery yard managers to train in basic safe applications to use with their own horses. Local advice, product and further training will then be available directly from Step By Step across the UK.
