Cool boots, Ice, Clay...what do you use after XC?

TopTotty

TopTotty

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 December 2008
Messages
1,014
Location
England
Visit site
I have always used clay wrapped in wet paper (ususaly my eventing numbers) and then bandaged after eventing. However I read an article in the bath last night from BE magazine and this said the best thing was crushed ice.

Now this got me thinking as I am just starting my six year old this week at Kelsall :) Should I be doing things differently? My other horse tweaked a suspensory in 2010 (came sound and evented again) but even so I thought maybe it was time for a change???

So I wondered what you all used after eventing or hard work on your horses legs and which if any cool boots you might recommend.

Many TIA :) :)
 
You want to cool as soon after the round as possible, in short bursts. 10mins with ice (either cool boots soaked in ice water or ice packs kept away from the skin by a thin layer of material) or 20mins with cold water. Then leave off for 10mins and repeat.
Do not use clay, it has no cooling benefit and bandaging legs with it is one of the worst things you can do.
 
I use those ice cube bags you put in your freezer and take them in a cooler box with plenty of ice packs. Usually by the time I've finished my XC they are half and half ice and almost-freezing water. Wrap those around and bandage on top to keep them in place.

Clay might start off cool but just gets hot really quickly. think about if you put a clay face mask on. It starts off feeling cold but is hot on your face quickly so surely the same thing will happen on a horse's legs, which defeats the object of what you're trying to achieve.
 
ColdOnes Boots (I got mine for HorseHealth website). Keep them in old freezer in garage. Take out on event day and keep in cold box. Usually by time finished xc just about defrosted...leave on for 20 mins. Tendons usually cold as ice when we take them off. If not, leave off for 10 mins and then put back on. Easiest and best things we have tried for cooling tendons.
 
An instant ice pack where you lay on your palm and strike the palm of your other hand on it, thereby crushing the capsule inside which reacts with the crystals. You then shake to activate the process making it really cold. I apply under a bandage for twenty mins or the journey home.

The chemist by me sells them, two in a pack for £1.99 a pack.
 
Ice, cool boots or if you want to be really posh a Zamar. Used to use clay based products years ago, but, as I think I've said before, a vet said to me that the only good thing about them was the copious quantities of cold water necessary to wash them off.
 
Thanks Guys.....seems I'm a little behind and I'm very glad I asked!!!!!

Just had a look at Zamar...hahahhha not quite rich enough for that yet.....I need to sell more cupcakes first!!!!

:) :) :)
 
Flexible ice cube bags. Put in a cool box and they're still ice when you need to use them- I've taken the out of my freezer at home at 5am, not gone XC until the afternoon and they're still ice and that's just in a cool bag in the lorry, not even in a fridge.

I wrap them in jay cloths so the ice isn't against the skin and put them on all 4 legs, securing them by putting a tendon boot over the top- I use old tendon boots as mine have stretchy elastic straps which makes it easy to stretch round the leg over the extra bulk of the ice.

Haven't used clay for years, not since all the research about it actually heating instead of cooling. I believe the best thing for the legs about putting clay on is the fact that you have to stand them under the hose for 10 mins to get it off!
 
I used to use boots that had pockets in that you would fill up with ice which was good, but slightly faffy!

I then bought a pair of icevibe boots for an injury and was so impressed with them that I also bought the hind boots. I really rate them
 
I use packs. Horses run with tubi grips under their boots, and then the ic packs can be slotted in straight away and removed after 20 mins, but the tubi grips are then cool and stay on for another 15 mins or so.
 
almostthere said:
ColdOnes Boots (I got mine for HorseHealth website). Keep them in old freezer in garage. Take out on event day and keep in cold box. Usually by time finished xc just about defrosted...leave on for 20 mins. Tendons usually cold as ice when we take them off. If not, leave off for 10 mins and then put back on. Easiest and best things we have tried for cooling tendons.
Click to expand...

I've ordered some of these :) :) :) Thanks for all your help :)
 
After walking back from xc boots come off first then tack, horse gets washed down with water using sponge which I also sponge legs down as well. Then cool boots go on (I use the aerborn ones) and then he is walked off till dRy :)

Once dry I take cool boots off and put ice vibes on front (he dosent like it behind!) as I don't think you should put ice on hot legs as temp change is too drastic imo. Personally I think that the temp should come down gradually!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top