Leg care after XC

[DonskiWA]

I'm only competing at 80cm with a young, fit TB.
I'm in Australia competing on often hard-ish ground, usually in the heat.
I don't do anything currently other than hose him down after xc.
Should I be using ice-boots etc?
I see other people doing it, but I just assumed it was for the higher grades?

 

[Red-1]

I don't think anything beats cooling asap, removing the boots and cold hose 20 minutes. For 80cm that would be what I would do too.

I have used the type of boots with gel in that you soak and travel home in them, keeps cooling for the journey. They come off the box with cold legs and then I out them away.

I am not into lotions and potions, did it once and when the leg swelled up I didn't know if it was a pull, an infection or a reaction to the gel.

 

[Michen]

Not an answer to your question but out of interest how do you cope with hard ground over there? Do all events both unaffiliated and affiliated make a huge effort with the ground- or are the horses simple more accustomed to working on hard surfaces? Interesting

 

[DonskiWA]

Our competition season is through the winter, which is no doubt odd to you folk, so I guess the ground softens somewhat. In the shoulder season in can still be dry and hard though. Obviously it's different in different regions.
I suppose it's what we and our horses are used to. Some events will go to the trouble of aerating the grounds.

 

[Northern]

Not an answer to your question but out of interest how do you cope with hard ground over there? Do all events both unaffiliated and affiliated make a huge effort with the ground- or are the horses simple more accustomed to working on hard surfaces? Interesting

As DonskiWA said, the eventing season runs through the winter months, which is when the ground is *usually* softer. Unfortunately there are years (like this year), where we have not had much Autumn rain at all (I'm in the East), and this makes it difficult. The bigger courses such as Sydney/Melbourne/Adelaide will have a grounds crew maintaining the going all year around. Unfortunately the rural courses don't have the means to do this, so they will try and bandaid the worst ground, or they will make a decision to cancel the event altogether. Most of the eventers here will make a decision to run based on the ground as well. It's not worth risking legs if the ground is just too hard, plus many events are a good 3+ (I know some people who have 8+) hours drive one way and a waste of a journey if the ground is not suitable. Sometimes water is not available at the grounds and must be brought in by the competitors, this is how dire the situation can be. A real shame given that the various regional equestrian clubs rely on these events to make some money to maintain the grounds/membership.

 

[Northern]

To reply to the original question - I think whatever the level you compete at, it is good practice to cool your horses legs after your round. Ice cubes are the best, but I have heard some of the ice and water boots work well too. My mare is about Intro level too, and I currently hose her legs after our rounds if the water is cool and available. Will be on the lookout for some ice boots soon too

 

[Accidental Eventer]

I ice after XC for training and competition. It is so important to get the legs cold ASAP. I usually remove boots, put ice boots on then untack and hose. I use the PEI cold water boots, they are very convenient and for the grades I do just as good for getting the legs cold. Plus easy to use.

We are really lucky in WA, our EA events all work really hard to make sure the ground is not too hard. The event we had at the weekend (Moora) was still really hard despite best efforts to improve it.

Of course once it starts to rain we often have the problem of it getting too wet and slippery. And one of our main courses is in a flood way and washed away last year. So really it's all very challenging ;p

Vets I know say if you can keep a horse sound to event in Australia, you can do it anywhere.

 

[spugs]

I use the premier equine cold water boots, they go in a ice box with ice water and ice packs. Then when I get back I put them on while I untsck and mess about. Take them off to travel and back in the ice box and then pop them back on for 20 mins at home again as they’re nice and cold again.