Looking after horses legs after Cross country?

[Jess :]

Just wanted people's thoughts on what to do with horses legs after XC, there's obviously pros ans cons for all options eg Ice, clay, Bandaging ect but please share your experiences of what has or hasn't worked for you, and also if the going affects what you do...
Thankyou

 

[KatB]

The most important thing for me is lots of cold water and get boots off as quickly as possible! I was my horses off, then cold boots put on whilst they're walking off. Then leave them until I get home, check for lumps and bumps, then use an arnica cold gel and turn out where possible.

 

[Sarah_Jane]

Agree with above, one tip never take boots off before you take studs out as when they have finished they are more likely to tread on themselves in a tired state.

I use either cool boots or where possible ice. The ice cube bags are best then you lightly bandage round the tendons (over something like a jay cloth) for a maximum of 20 minutes. Repeat as often as nec considering state of ground, distance of course etc etc.

 

[_Rach_]

I use ice tight, then wrap a wet paper bag round legs, then bandage on top, leave on over night, If out by taking off bandage and putting on boots (brushing boots), If in just leave bandages on. and washing off the next day.
i tried cool boots and couldnt get on with them so have gone back to ice tight.......

 

[Lisamd]

After washing off with Barrier Lavinder wash which is good for getting dirt and grit out of coat and mild astringent for cuts and scrapes etc I use cool boots which are left in water with ice blocks whilst i'm out on XC. These are left on for approx 30 mins whilst horse is walked off and i pack away. I then put a cooling gel on to travel home. More cool gel is applied before he is turned out when we get home. If the ground is really hard/deep and i feel he may need ice clay i put this on but don't bandage over the top as part of the process of the clay acting as a coolant is that it need air to activate coolness. Clay acts as an insulator to heat if not enough air gets to it so bandaging over the top can have a negative effect. It does mean that Impy looks like a kid let loose with the paint pot the next morning once he has rolled and scratched his face on his legs though!