I need to some new ice boots - anybody have a recommendation for a kind they like that are relatively convenient to use and that actually get their legs cold? Would love some input.
TIA!
We finally trained our boys to stand in a clean muck tub filled with ice/water mix. Needs lots of carrots, but it works great. We just gave up on the boots, if we can’t do the muck tubs we wrap the frozen ice sheets around them with standing wraps.
I’m interested in this too! Though my wallet is thinking the muck tub is the best option…
Obviously many are going to say the best method is real ice and cold water in a big tub. Which is 100% true but not always an option for everyone.
I really like my Ice Horse boots. They cover a lot of the leg and keep them nice and cold. BUT you MUST wet the legs before using them or else they just don’t seem to do the same thing. I’ve done it after wetting the legs and they were so cold after 20 minutes of icing. I’ve done it without wetting, and I felt it was pointless as the legs were barely cold.
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Thanks for the tip on getting the legs wet first- good to know
Yes, muck tub is the best, but as LadyB stated not always an option. Here are the reviews on the ones I’ve tried in the past:
- Horze Ice Wraps: A pain to store as the entire boot needs to go in the freezer. Stays cold, but is also very hard and doesn’t form to the leg until they warm up. Running water over them first helps, but not my favorite.
- Ice Cells: Easy, but they only stay cold about 10-15 minutes, even if the leg is wet.
- Ice Horse packs: Easy to store, stay cold longer than ice cells, but still don’t stay or get as cold as really ideal. I hate the new design on the boots with the interior strap. Great for quick icing when you can’t haul ice back and forth.
- Professional’s Choice pocket ice boots: I find myself always going back to these boots. They can be a pain to fill, and crushed ice is really the best, but damn they get and stay COLD. I lay mine in the bottom of the cooler with the bag of ice on top while I ride, then put the ice in the pockets and strap them to the horse. You have to keep an eye on them though as they will slide, especially if your horse moves around, but they work. I’m able to ice my guy for 20-30 minutes, front and hind legs, without having to change ice. I usually add some since he will dance around and spill a bit, but his legs are always cold when I take them off. The 9 pocket is perfect for hind legs are they reach the hock. I use them on the front too (I’m cheap and haven’t gotten the 6 pocket) and they reach from coronary band to knee.
Equessential Ice boots from Australia http://www.equessential.com/
They fit really well and actually stay cold for as long as they say they will. A friend recommended them after using them for an intensive rehab on her horse. I’ve had mine 3yrs now, use 3-4x a month and they’re still going strong.
The legs need to be wet with any ice boots so that the coldness is transferred by conduction, not convention.
I really like my Jacks Ice Boots:
http://www.jacksmfg.com/Ice-Boots,2681.html
Just zip 'em up and dump in some ice 
Has anyone tried the Cold Water boots from Premier Equine? http://www.premierequine.co.uk/cold-water-boots-c2x21441591
They look interesting. And I like that they don’t need to be put in the freezer, as I don’t usually take one of those with me to shows. :lol:
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"The colder the water, the colder the boots. For a maximum cold effect, place the Cold Water Boots straight from the ice water into a bag and leave in the fridge for one hour, this will provide a 3-5 minute initial blast of cold on the horse’s leg. "
This is something that would concern me, after a long day at a show, how cold can you really get your water. How many uses can you get out of the boots before the crystals stop working. You have to soak them for an hour before using them as well. I’d be curious about the reviews on them.
Found this thread on them, sounds like you’ll still need a cooler 
Well, yes, I expected that. :lol: Ice boots without a cooler sounds like a unicorn. I liked that they can be reused after just an hour of re-soaking and don’t need to be frozen (or re-frozen to use again).
Ha! That’s my thread. :lol:
I was thoroughly unimpressed. I tried them a couple times after I first got them and didn’t like them. Tried them again last year at a show and still didn’t like them. They don’t get or stay very cold even when you wet the leg down with ice water from the same cooler.
I used them back when we did a three day it they worked great. Just looked up the price (Along with Roma ice boots) and was surprised at the low cost for a set. I think I may invest in at least one, because the muck tub way has its issues and some of the other options are either very expensive or you need a way to keep them cool. Hard to do at a show. Thanks for the link.
