Icing legs!

[Sticky_Situation]

What is everyone’s favorite way to ice/cool legs after a workout?

I’m hoping to move my guy up to Prelim in the not too distant future so I have been gradually adding some additional galloping into his conditioning program. As he’s doing more galloping, I’d like to take care of his legs the best I can. I have been typically just cold hosing for a few minutes after more strenuous workouts, but I’m sure there are much more effective and practical ways to cool his legs post exercise. I would prefer an inexpensive solution, although if any of those pricey ice boots are worth it, I’d like to know too so that I can know what to save up for

Also, my horse is at a boarding stable … There is a freezer at the barn but it’s not all that big so the amount of storage space I’d be able to use there is a bit limited!

[pacific_jumper]

For an affordable option, I use large ice packs purchased at the pharmacy for human backs. I polo wrap them onto horse legs.

[Highflyer]

I use these (or something similar, can’t remember for sure) also with polos: https://www.amazon.com/Igloo-Maxcold-Natural-Reusable-88-Cubes/dp/B00GVKXDCK/ref=pd_sim_79_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=41YUYKts1PL&dpSrc=sims&preST=AC_UL160_SR160%2C160&refRID=1KPM6F819DW9TF2X936P

[ACountingRider]

Don’t forget the horse’s feet! As a working student we always had the horses stand in little rubber feed feed pans while wearing their ice boots, now as an ammy-professional I use a big muck bucket because I’m still poor!

[RAyers]

First, I don’t worry about icing or such until the horse is at preliminary or above and even then I rarely ice for regular workouts, even gallops.

Second, the reason I don’t ice after regular workouts is I want to “train” the physiology and biology to respond to injury. It’s not just conditioning the horse but the horse’s inflammatory (there MUST BE INFLAMMATION to get HEALING) and regenerative mechanisms. Bramlage and others have studied this in respect to race horses.

Excessive icing etc. can actually diminish the body’s response and capabilities to healing.

Third, I think you are doing fine with just cold hosing.

Reed

[vineyridge]

There is a gadget called Hydro-T which is pretty neat. And cheap.
http://www.hydrot.com/

[spencergbennett]

I just ordered ice boots from Dover for $40. They were the cheapest I could find. I’ve heard a lot of vets recommend them over wraps, because if the wraps don’t touch the leg somewhere, you’ve got a warm spot that isn’t getting cooled down. With the ice boots, if you fill with ice and then top off with a bit of cold water, the ice water is going to hit 100% of their leg. But I’m sure lots of vets have lots of different opinions!

[hlra11]

I also use old clean trax boots and fill with ice. We have one of our mares in the polo string that gets iced every time she plays. Pop those suckers on, fill with ice and every part, foot included is iced. I secure with tape at the top as well and leave her tied to the trailer in them.

[redalter]

[QUOTE=RAyers;8715510]
First, I don’t worry about icing or such until the horse is at preliminary or above and even then I rarely ice for regular workouts, even gallops.

Second, the reason I don’t ice after regular workouts is I want to “train” the physiology and biology to respond to injury. It’s not just conditioning the horse but the horse’s inflammatory (there MUST BE INFLAMMATION to get HEALING) and regenerative mechanisms. Bramlage and others have studied this in respect to race horses.

Excessive icing etc. can actually diminish the body’s response and capabilities to healing.

Third, I think you are doing fine with just cold hosing.

Reed[/QUOTE]

Thank for this - I ice only occasionally, but I often wondered. When I’ve worked with racehorses, we cold hosed, but never stood in ice. Of course that was a long time ago. Long time ago.

[RAyers]

I think today, too many people think that they can short circuit the biology and physiology with all sorts of neat medical tricks. But, as we learn more, that is pretty much impossible. Just like the flu, you have to GET the flu to be immune to it (if we were to over simplify things as is being done with the concept of icing).

The body has to lean how to heal without aid in order to be more efficient when healing WITH aid. Thus, you WANT your horse to be sore after hard work! That’s why you give them a day or two off after and that’s why to “baby” them later. Some old school aspects are absolutely necessary and can be beneficial when considered judiciously.

[redalter]

[QUOTE=RAyers;8715577]
I think today, too many people think that they can short circuit the biology and physiology with all sorts of neat medical tricks. But, as we learn more, that is pretty much impossible. Just like the flu, you have to GET the flu to be immune to it (if we were to over simplify things as is being done with the concept of icing).

The body has to lean how to heal without aid in order to be more efficient when healing WITH aid. Thus, you WANT your horse to be sore after hard work! That’s why you give them a day or two off after and that’s why to “baby” them later. Some old school aspects are absolutely necessary and can be beneficial when considered judiciously.[/QUOTE]

Oh, so so true! Most of my “teachers” and those who influenced me my whole life have been “old school” individuals, and these are the basics and values I learned from them.

Thank you for your post, it is very instructive!

[devvie]

My massage therapist (in a physiotherapy clinic) was telling me this recently: they no longer recommend icing injuries except to provide pain relief.

For example: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/08/150811103654.htm

I’m not a scientist, but I do know enough not to take every study at face value. That said, there does seem to be a shift in the theory, and a resulting trend away from icing to prevent/treat injuries.

[Sticky_Situation]

Thanks for all the input! It seems like there are plenty of affordable options out there.

It’s also good to know that it might be better to not do too much icing on a regular basis. I usually like to keep my horse management fairly basic … I’m not much for gimmicks and trends, but I do want to keep my horse sound and happy doing his job as long as possible!

Maybe I’ll stick to just a little cold hosing after galloping for now, but it is good to know there are easy inexpensive ways if I do need to ice him.

[LadyB]

I only Ice after a hard XC school or after an event. I currently am going training level.

Too much icing, they can rely on it. But I do think icing is great after a xc or gallop ride. Especially if the ground is hard.

I also wrap after jumping though, which I know quite a few people don’t. My guy gets an alcohol wrap after show jump schoolings and a poultice wrap after xc schooling or after an event.

[redalter]

After an event, I poultice right at the event - wrap, lightly then shipping boots over that. When I get home, I cold hose the poultice off.

If the ground is hard, I will pack his feet with Forshners hoofpack.

I have noticed this trend of icing and icing everywhere, too.

[FLeventer]

I use the Jacks ice boots and I actually just bought a pair of the Roma ones that were $20 cheaper and I like them. I use them after XC at the event or after a tough XC school.
http://www.jefferspet.com/products/black-roma-full-ice-boots-pair

I use these Shires Ice Boots for everything else. Jump school or gallop. Lazy after XC and don’t want to drag out the muck tub or whirlpool boots, I use these. They are awesome. They stay cool, are flexible, and the ice insert is velcro removable. I really love them. You can also make them hot but I have never tried it.
http://www.jefferspet.com/products/hot-cold-relief-boots-black?sku=SEPAF&gclid=CKzYsKqovM0CFQEmhgod3GcLNQ

I use poultice or a liniment brace and wrap after if needed. A lot of my horses stand in a muck tub so they ice that way.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

[QUOTE=RAyers;8715510]
First, I don’t worry about icing or such until the horse is at preliminary or above and even then I rarely ice for regular workouts, even gallops.

Second, the reason I don’t ice after regular workouts is I want to “train” the physiology and biology to respond to injury. It’s not just conditioning the horse but the horse’s inflammatory (there MUST BE INFLAMMATION to get HEALING) and regenerative mechanisms. Bramlage and others have studied this in respect to race horses.

Excessive icing etc. can actually diminish the body’s response and capabilities to healing.

Third, I think you are doing fine with just cold hosing.

Reed[/QUOTE]

I also do not ice often but I will ice a training level or lower horse if there is a pre-existing issue. I have a horse with a splint…and it can bother him. So I ice after xc schools, gallops or hard jump school. I use the Ice Horse boots because they are quick and easy and in this case…I’m trying to get a specific spot that these boots easily cover. Plus I don’t have an ice machine at the barn and it get’s expensive always buying ice for a muck tub!

But I do work on teaching them how to ice by standing in a tall tub…as that is still one of the best methods and you do not want to wait for the big event to try and get them to stand in one!

[spencergbennett]

What are everyone’s thoughts on poultice?? I’ve iced, poulticed, and used liniment, but to be honest I don’t really know which one is best, or if some are better for certain situations.

[LadyB]

[QUOTE=FLeventer;8716152]
I use the Jacks ice boots and I actually just bought a pair of the Roma ones that were $20 cheaper and I like them. I use them after XC at the event or after a tough XC school.
http://www.jefferspet.com/products/black-roma-full-ice-boots-pair

I use these Shires Ice Boots for everything else. Jump school or gallop. Lazy after XC and don’t want to drag out the muck tub or whirlpool boots, I use these. They are awesome. They stay cool, are flexible, and the ice insert is velcro removable. I really love them. You can also make them hot but I have never tried it.
http://www.jefferspet.com/products/hot-cold-relief-boots-black?sku=SEPAF&gclid=CKzYsKqovM0CFQEmhgod3GcLNQ

I use poultice or a liniment brace and wrap after if needed. A lot of my horses stand in a muck tub so they ice that way.[/QUOTE]

Curious at what the inside of the Jeffers look like.

Problem with buying online, most ice boots do not show a close up of the inside or if they are gel or hard looking. Really makes a difference on my purchase.

I bought http://www.fourstarbrand.com/product/horse-health-products/finn-tack-ice-wrap-cooling-ice-wraps-for-horses/ Finn Tack Ice Boots. They’re great and hold the cold really well, form to the leg and cover a lot of the leg BUT they are big, they don’t fit in my little freezer at home. They are just not convenient to leave in the freezer.

I really want the Ice Horse boots, I like the packs they have, so it takes up less space in the freezer and they seem to do the job. I want the Knee to Ankle boot though, I want the most coverage, and also the hoof boots. Were lacking in hoof boots for icing, which is a huge part of the body. No foot, no horse.

[LadyB]

[QUOTE=spencergbennett;8716217]
What are everyone’s thoughts on poultice?? I’ve iced, poulticed, and used liniment, but to be honest I don’t really know which one is best, or if some are better for certain situations.[/QUOTE]

Poultice is amazing and long lasting. Been doing it ever since I started eventing. Its sad when you see people do just a liniment and leave them at that, I really think poultice is very beneficial.