Leg coolants advice n recommendations PLS!!

Hollyhorse

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I compete in a lot of BE one day events and have used two different leg cooling products before - equine america 'like ice' clay and the 'green ice gel'. The clay I found really messy and to be honest a bit of a pain having to use paper and then hosing it off. The problem I have with the gel is keeping it on! It seems to slip down his leg so little stays on his leg and then doesn't seem to keep his leg very cold. I've heard lots of different things about ice wraps/boots - that they heat up, they don't stay cold for long, you have to put them in cold water for AGES prior to using, etc. So basically think I'd rather avoid them... I've been researching into some of the reusable bandages - equi-n-ice, neo-ice and bonner bandages. It seems to be that the equi-n-ice and neo-ice look really good but would be really expensive in the long run? The bonner bandages sound good, as long as you put them in the freezer the night before, but even though there are no recurring costs I'd be spending £140 to get four in the first place! I'm starting to despair slightly at the many different products available (which may or may not work) and the high prices! Any advice, suggestions or recommendations would be REALLY appreciated!
 
I bought some neo-ice after last yrs Hickstead. I was really impressed when I was given the demo, but never needed to use it yet. I've got it in the 1st aid box. Not sure how much it would be for regular use, however I know that it is cheaper if you buy the large refill. The company were really helpful, based in Billingshurst if I remember correctly.

What I liked is that you could use them straightaway & then reuse them.
 
I've been using a leg ice gel... and yeah it does slide off and it doesn't really cool the leg either to be honest, so I'm looking for something else now. I tried it on my arm, with a wet bandage for an hour (like to do these strange experiments lol) it just gives it a tingling feeling for a few hours rather than keep a cold temperature...bit like that Original Source Mint shower Gel.
crazy.gif
 
I use Neo-ice - and they do stay cold quite a while. The main problem I've found is that the recharge sachets don't contain enough fluid - you end up with dry bits on the bandage. But two sachets is a) too much and b) even more expensive!!

But they do work.
 
I do use cool boots and find them really good. I know you weren't sure about them, but I do have to put them in cold water but only for just over an hr. So when I go to a B.E I put them in a bucket of water at the begining. literally the boot has little beads in them that when in cold water swell up and then hold the cold. I put them on my horse after xc, while he's having a munch let them stop dripping. Then he travels home in them with travel boots over the top. I find they do a good job and stay cold for quite some time.
 
After hunting, I use stretchy bandages ( cheap beige ones from Boots Chemists ) that I have made wet and frozen the night before then kept in a cool bag while I am riding. By the time I put them on, they are defrosted but are still cold enough to last for about 15 minutes. Cheap and effective.
 
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