Therapy Products

[bellannreed]

For the last year I have been rehabilitating my horse from a suspensory injury, and have acquired a few ‘therapy products’. These including Back on Track Wraps and Lemieux ProIce Ice Boots. I bought the BOT wraps after reading some reviews on how much people liked them. After our most recent vet appointment my vet recommended icing his legs after every ride.

I am now confused on how different therapies (heat, cooling, magnetic, etc) affect the horses body and how beneficial each of them are. I also read that at a certain temperature heat starts damaging their legs so now looking at the BOT wraps is adding heat a good option? How does everyone else use these different products? (I’m a kinda new horse owner)
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[btswass]

In general ice is used for a recent injury (think RICE - rest, ice, compression, elevation) and heat is good for an older injury as it increases blood flow and can feel quite soothing. I think in this instance both heat and ice would be beneficial. Too much heat in the legs can cause soft tissue damage which is why its so important to cool off the legs after riding as it creates a lot of heat in the legs. But I find BOT wraps used at night in a stall especially beneficial as the keep the blood flowing while the horse is standing still all night. This reduces the chance of swelling in the legs. Because the BOT wraps simply reflect the horses body heat you don’t have to worry about them getting too hot. Magnetic therapy on the other hand has no scientific proof so I tend to stay away from that though some people do claim it works

[bellannreed]

Thank-you! There’s just so many different products, and sometimes confusing to know how to use them all. I love my BOT stuff, just want to know how to use it all properly.

[IPEsq]

I think using the BOT wraps at night when stalled and then icing after a ride would not be bad. I think the BOT products help keep the body limber, and I don’t think the standing wraps are any hotter than any other standing wraps. I was very pleased with them…until my horse ate them and can no longer have nice things (he did not eat the $12 regular quilts, of course). Ice is good after any activity that may cause inflammation (like exercise) or to help control inflammation on a recent injury.

[btswass]

@IPEsq

I was very pleased with them…until my horse ate them and can no longer have nice things (he did not eat the $12 regular quilts, of course).

:eek::lol:

[findeight]

@IPEsq

I think using the BOT wraps at night when stalled and then icing after a ride would not be bad. I think the BOT products help keep the body limber, and I don’t think the standing wraps are any hotter than any other standing wraps. I was very pleased with them…until my horse ate them and can no longer have nice things (he did not eat the $12 regular quilts, of course). Ice is good after any activity that may cause inflammation (like exercise) or to help control inflammation on a recent injury.

Oh puleeez, are you questioning his taste and preference for only top quality chew toys? The fact he aggravated you is a bonus for him.

[RAyers]

I rehabbed my upper level eventer(Advanced/FEI 2 Star) OTTB from 3 suspensory injuries (different legs). Most products are just money sinks. The best rehab? Long, slow walks followed by a very specific build up of activity over the course of a few months. I only iced and cold hosed at competitions while at home I let the tissue get a bit inflamed in order to condition the cellular functions to the levels of activity. Yes, if the inflammation seems excessive then I went to ice, sweats, whatever. The horse retired sound from competition at 18 and is still sound at 25.

Yes, when tissue temperatures reach 106, proteins can start breaking down. Ligament and tendons can easily hit 108-110 during heavy exercise. Luckily, heat shock portions can withstand this, and you want to encourage the normal response. However, ice and water can be used to bring the deep tissue heat down quickly.

The absolute BEST way to reduce deep tissue heat? WALK your horse for at least 15 minutes after hard work to keep the blood perfusion up. Blood acts like radiator fluid, carrying heat away from heated tissues. Several studies on lameness and horses back this up. Then you can ice or cold hose.

I use Jack’s Ice Boots for icing (http://www.bitofbritain.com/Jack-s-Ice-Boots-p/9365.htm) but I also wrap the leg with a towel to prevent direct contact of the ice with the skin to prevent frostbite.

Reed

[IPEsq]

@findeight

Oh puleeez, are you questioning his taste and preference for only top quality chew toys? The fact he aggravated you is a bonus for him.

The aggravation came from the fact that I actually bought him a second pair. I thought I outsmarted him with application of no-chew vetrap and Elastikon to cover the top and bottom of the quilt where he’d grab it out from underneath the standing bandage. This worked for some time. But he figured out a way to eat that pair too. I got a little more use out of the cheap quilts but shortly had to stop the wrapping earlier in his recovery than planned because he learned to take those off, tape and all, in no time flat, although he managed to leave them in one piece…unlike the BOT.

The less mutilated but still unsuitable for horse legs pair is being used by my cat as a bed. At least she has respect for quality products.