Choosing the Ice Boots for Horses
Professional horse riders know for a fact that even a trusty steed can run as long as its feet can endure. Making a horse endure the heat of the sun and race or run for some time will soon cause swelling and inflammation to the overly used soles and feet of the foal. Choosing the best ice boots for horses is the one thing that you can do to help your trusted foal to feel better after a long ride. There are many different variations of ice boots that you can provide for your horse. What would be best suited for your foal will depend on several factors, including the type of activities that your horse performs, the kind of horse that you own, as well as your personal options when looking for one.
Benefits of Using Ice Boots for Horses
Horse ice boots and gel wraps can be used to prevent injuries, help cool down after an exercise, and be a form of therapy after an injury.
Domesticated horses are kept in stables and will require to be let out in the sun and ridden for some obvious health reasons. Walking around, training, or racing will allow your trusted steed to develop its leg muscle, as well as maintain its overall health. While doing its regular routine, much of its weight is carried by its feet, however. Allowing it to run for long hours may cause its feet to swell.
Fortunately, you can let your foal to wear ice boots after an exercise as this can lessen the stress on its joints, ligaments and tendons. It relaxes recently worked out muscles. It also acts as a cold compress and stimulate the lymphatic system and relieve the swelling and inflammation. It is recommended to have the horse wear the boots for about 20 minutes at most.
Ice boots for horses can also be used to help relieve the effects of acute injuries as well. They are not designed to be used if there is an open wound as the friction between the ice boots material and the skin may only aggravate the condition. Leaving the wound uncovered will help it stay dry and heal quicker, on the other hand.
Do you need to have your horse’s feet iced after each ride?
Icing a horse’s feet is necessary as a preventative measure, therapy, and a help to cure an existing health condition. It is most important to use post exercise and post riding, especially while in a very humid and hot condition. Having ice or gel wrapped around its legs can help cool down the horse’s internal body temperature.
Since much of the body weight of the horse (about 60%) is carried by its front legs, the muscles on these legs can easily get sore and suffer the most from strenuous activities. The impact of landing on those legs are usually heavier and is not evenly distributed to all fore legs, the muscles on these front legs can easily overheat.
Not every activity will require icing of the horse’s legs, however. Light groundworks will not necessarily deliver as much impact on the legs of your horse, as opposed to other strenuous activities such as training, racing, and other similar activities. (more…)