Leg cooling Gunk?!

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FrecklesMum

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So first event is on the horizon and i have been thinking that I need to get some legcooling gel. Alway used Like ice in past but ideally want something that I can slap on over minor cuts and abrasions, etc with out fear of infections, etc.

Obv i always look for any cuts etc but you cant be too carefull!

Thanks
 
I wouldn't bother with any gels or clays tbh as most recent research shows they actually act as an insulator and retain the heat in the leg.

I would look at getting cold boots or similar- ice/cold water is best for bringing temp down and then bandaging for support.
 
I'm not so sure though - after applying gel with my hands in the winter they stay cold for ages, much longer than when they get wet. So much so in fact that I now keep disposable gloves on the lorry for doing it!

So these gels definitely have skin cooling properties. Whether they reach in to the inner part of the legs though is another matter. My opinion is that it can't hurt (well ok, it can if you put the wrong gel on an undiscovered cut.......)

As to the original question, I'm afraid the answer is that I don't know, as I always check legs for cuts/abrasions before I apply gel and don't apply it if there are any. I use Mark Todd Icy Leg and it hasn't caused any problems so far.
 
Fair enough re ice, cold water etc but equally I have been (along with lots of other old wives!) slapping on the clays for years and never had a problem re tendons, etc. However, each to their own.

Was primarily interested in what people are using in terms of gels, etc. There must be loads of people using them as there seems to be hundreds on the tack room shop shelf?!!
 
I use Ice Blue for minor swelling's/puffiness, the gels don't penetrate very deep but good for surface cooling. Works the same on humans, try some on your arm and you'll find that you don't get 'cold' per se just chilly on the surface. Used to use it as a physio.
 
Gels work because of the alcohol evaporating hence why it only affects the surface.
Any serious eventers will not touch gels as the majority will fail FEI drug testing. There are very few which do not have ingredients which will fail FEI regulations. Hence why the majority will stick with water and ice.

Regarding clay - thinking has changed on this and a lot more tests have been done and the majority of vets now feel its the washing off which probably aids the cooling more than anything. Why anyone thinks its productive to put an insulator on a leg and then bandage it is beyond me!
 
We take ice packs in a cool bag, and the tubular bandages and double the bandages up and put the ice packs in between the layers, then bandage over the top... Horses legs are always ice cold when we get home...
 
FrecklesMum said:
Fair enough re ice, cold water etc but equally I have been (along with lots of other old wives!) slapping on the clays for years and never had a problem re tendons, etc. However, each to their own.

Was primarily interested in what people are using in terms of gels, etc. There must be loads of people using them as there seems to be hundreds on the tack room shop shelf?!!
Click to expand...

I used to use Ice Tight religiously and never had any issues with the leg overheating but I have read a lot of the scientific research since then and decided if I want to cool the legs down then ice is the way forwards.

I have a huge, barely used, tub of Ice Tight hanging around if anyone wants it? :)
 
I just use cold water straight after exercise, but as I am miles away from anywhere I bandage the legs to travel home, and before I do this I use Equine America Sore-No-More gel. Not so much a cooling gel, more of a herbal liniment x
 
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