Ice bandaging or Cryochaps...

Hormonal Filly

Hormonal Filly

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I've been ice bandaging my geldings leg with the heat in (potentially done his check ligament) and have tried 2 different flexible ice packs now, but either stay cold for anything over 10 minutes after being frozen for 12 hours. I walk to the yard in 5 minutes, put them on, and they aren't even cold after 5 minutes! I even checked my freezer temperature, its at -21! I don't mind cold hosing but he never stands still for it.

I've tried these Flexikold pack, the better of the 2 but still rubbish https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0091IOISW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I also tried these, which were awful so returned them! https://www.woofwear.com/for-horses...wear-ice-therapy-boots-in_black-one-size.html

Do the Cryochaps actually stay ice cold? or are they like these 'flexi' ice packs, which almost just go cold and aren't like ice.. the heat and swelling is just below his knee behind so think they're the only boots to go up to reach the knee.

My naughty gelding likes to pull it off his leg (yes, with his mouth) so hes tied up for 15/20 minutes while he has it on twice a day and why I tried the cheaper option of ice pack and bandage!
 
I have some cryochaps
I take the to the yard in a coolbox with 4 icepack blocks and put them on after I've ridden. I'd estimate they've been out of the freezer by 1.5 hours by then. they are still frozen when I put them on (got icey crystals on the outside) and after 20 mins the leg is cold and the ice packs in them have melted but are still cool. they'd probably be colder if I used them straight away. I do think they are some of the best for people without ideal facilities on site. They performed well on the study by David Marlin IIRC though I believe CC did commission the research ;) cold hosing still came out as gold standard tho.
 
Thank you @milliepops thats very helpful. Do the Cryochaps actually freeze, like the liquid inside? Or does it just go really cold? The Flexikold ice pack I have would be great if it actually freezed, rather than just go very cold.

Scan is today, so if its bad news i'll invest in a pair of Cryochaps tomorrow! I've been cold hosing, did yesterday evening for 10 minutes but when rushing around in the morning it is easier to put some ice on it!
 
they go pretty crunchy and almost rigid, if they are frozen when you first apply they advise that you tighten them up after a short while as they start to soften so that you maximise contact with the leg.
 
and yeah, I hear you, I have done a lot of cold hosing in my time and it really puts a spanner in your mornings. I ride Kira first when I've got the cryochaps with me and while she is icing i faff about tacking up Darcy or tidying the yard/do haynets etc, huge time saver.
 
I've just had this too! bought some Cold Ones after seeing good recommendations, and they only last like 10 mins. I've gone back to using our PE cold water boots in ice water, which means I just bring ice cubes to the yard in a flask or freeze a couple of bottles of water, then chuck them in a bucket of water with the boots and leave for ten mins. Even though it can't be AS cold as the actual frozen boots, his legs are colder doing this than with the ice boots, they last much longer. Plus he hates them less!!
 
I could only afford 2 so I just use them on the fronts. It's a front leg that my horse has a past injury on and that I'm extra careful with. if I had freezer space and the spare pennies I'd have 4 ;)
 
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