how long can you leave ice packs on for...?

[emmiec12]

Hi, can anyone help.... how long can you leave a (wrapped up) ice pack on a horses legs?

 

[kerilli]

15 mins imho if it is v cold against horse's leg, with any kind of pressure. leave off for 20 mins, put on again. that's what i was taught.

 

[Nailed]

Ted, when he did his tendon, Had them on about 22 hours a day, He had the woof boot ice boots, Id put on pack on before i left the yard in the morning, Take it off as soon as I arrived that evening, and put the other on just as i was leaving,

Lou x

 

[emmiec12]

i've got some instant ice packs - i was going to wrap them in tea towels and put them on after washing off after xc. so about 15 mins would be ok.... great thanks.

 

[ester]

I agree 15mins (same for me too!)

 

[spaniel]

15 mins absolute max. After that you are doing more harm than good.

 

[emmiec12]

should i use them at all..... or are there safer ways to cool the legs down after hard work?

 

[Birker2020]

20 mins and then they usually loose their coldness anyway. Also never put ice packs directly onto the skin as they can cause freezeburns unless the pack states that it is safe to do so.

 

[ester]

ones I have bought for myself often come with a handy over pocket of think material that is not too thick but saves from freezer burns.

I had previously tried thin bandaging underneath but then skin doesn't really get cold at all.

 

[spaniel]

Now you are opening a can of worms!!

IMO the only reason to hose at all is directly after injury as a first aid measure. Unless you can get the leg totally dry after putting cold water on warm skin you are actually encouraging heat back into the area very quickly. Not only do the skin cappilaries open wide to allow blood flow to the area, the water left in the hair also starts to heat up. Because of that ice boots would be a better choice if they were genuinely a need for cooling off.

I know some people do routinely hose and bandage after strenuous exercise but whether thats scientifically proved to be necessary I dont know.

 

[emmiec12]

it is to put on after hard work as he has had a check lig injury in the past.... so cool boots would be better as that is what they are designed for??

 

[spaniel]

Id certainly favour the boots over something like cold hosing.

 

[emmiec12]

why?

 

[BeckyD]

If it's ice pack i.e. freezing, not more than 15 minutes or the skin will get ice burn and the hair may go white.

If it's just a very cold pack, probably much longer - I leave Neo-ice bandages on until they've gone warm and dry.

 

[L&M]

I used an aerborn 'cool gaiter' for my lad when he had a tendon injury, and swear by it. You can put it on for 20mins, every 2 hrs, when the injury is new.
It stores in the freezer and won't burn the leg even if left on for longer than that, as it naturally warms up after the allowed time.
Cost around £12 I think?
Good luck!