Ice vibe boots- help please!

[Cragrat]

Sorry to ask for help in my first post, but Horseware haven't been very helpful

I have just bought a pair of full size ice vibe boots for a 16.3 TB, and they are a royal pain in the **** to fit.

The problem is that the ice pack doesn't have any adjustment,so it constantly slips down his leg. He is on box rest, doing a jig whilst I am trying to hold the ice pack up, make sure the vibration plate is lined up on his tendon, and do up the Velcro tight enough to hold it all in place. When it is finally on, it all looks lumpy and misshapen, not all secure, and I am a bit worried about pressure lumps.

Horseware basically told me I must be fitting it wrongly, and they don't make ice packs any smaller.

Any hints or tips? Apart from returning the blooming things

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

We have them at work - a yard full of tbs - and they don't fit a single one of them! I'm fed up with them. The ice packs also split and leak very easily. Personally I'd get your money back and get the ice cube bags from the shop and pop a few in the freezer!

 

[only_me]

The ice packs are quite big! I have just bought some stick on velcro and hopefully that will do the trick

 

[Cragrat]

Good to know its not just my horse! I suppose they were made to fit Irish draughts! The Horseware woman told me they had never had any problems with them fitting...everything from 13.2 upwards! Must have been 13.2 cobs.

Like the idea of stick on Velcro- thank you! The thought sending them back is also tempting, but I have been convinced by the advantages of the vibration, so maybe I'll persevere - or maybe I'm a sucker

 

[amage]

First I've ever heard of a problem with fitting them and ours go on tbs up to very chunky 17 hh Belgian warmbloods. Would agree try some stick on Velcro but certainly we stick on ice pack then stick on boot...very simple really. Once you have panel in pocket you want it in leave it there...no need to remove it so not difficult to line it up

ETA did you get the larger size boot? If so swap for normal size...larger size handy for back legs but unless they are very chunky legs then normal size will do front. It's the original size we use on ours and I know Measles uses the same size on her very spindly legged 138 so no size issue there

 

[only_me]

I have the extra full ones as wanted them for front and back so at least with the extra Velcro can adjust, they are fine behind but slightly too big in front

 

[Cragrat]

ETA did you get the larger size boot? If so swap for normal size...

Nope, got the normal full size, to use on front legs

 

[amage]

I have the extra full ones as wanted them for front and back so at least with the extra Velcro can adjust, they are fine behind but slightly too big in front

Or just buy a set of the smaller size ice packs and make life really easy for yourself...

 

[amage]

Nope, got the normal full size, to use on front legs

Very odd...like I said we use ours on everything from spindly tb/ chunky tb, ish right up to my big belgian warmblood with elephant legs....admittedly on big mare the velcro is not fully fastened. prob worth some sticky back velcro to allow you more adjustability so

 

[Cragrat]

I NEED TO EAT MY WORDS!

Just had long conversation with Louise from Ice Vibe ( well, actually she IS Ice Vibe- she invented them!) and she was really sympathetic and helpful, and going to send me a different ice pack out! This will have more adjustment, and solve my problem apparently! Hurray!

I am very pleased, because despite being frustrated to the point of tears yesterday, I do think they will be very helpful, so in the mean time I am using a piece of elastic tied around as a temporary hold 'm up measure. I really didn't want to send them back- glad I didn't!