Should I be using Ice Boots on my Horse?
If you’ve ever wondered whether ice boots are a necessary part of your horse’s care routine, you’re not alone. Cooling therapy, also known as cryotherapy, is increasingly popular in the equestrian world, and for good reason. Designed to manage stress on your horse’s legs, reduce inflammation, and support recovery, ice boots can play a significant role in keeping your horse healthy and performing at their best.
Why Use Ice Boots on Your Horse?
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Recovery After Exercise Intense exercise such as jumping, galloping, or dressage work can lead to heat buildup and microtears in your horse’s tendons and ligaments. Ice boots help by rapidly cooling the legs, reducing heat and inflammation. This process prevents minor stresses from turning into significant injuries and promotes faster recovery, allowing your horse to stay in top form.
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Injury Management Injuries to tendons, ligaments, or soft tissues often result in swelling and pain. Ice boots are an effective way to manage these symptoms. By constricting blood vessels, the cold therapy reduces swelling and minimizes further tissue damage. Once removed, the improved blood flow supports the healing process. For horses undergoing rehabilitation, regular use of ice boots can make a noticeable difference in recovery time.
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Preventative Care Even if your horse isn’t injured, ice boots can be a proactive measure. By cooling the legs after exercise, you’re helping to maintain the integrity of soft tissues and reducing the risk of repetitive strain injuries. Incorporating ice boots into your routine is a simple but effective way to support your horse’s long-term health.
Our Top Pick Equine Ice Boots
Cryochaps
When it comes to equine cryotherapy, Cryochaps Ice Boots are a trusted solution. Here’s why they stand out:
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Comprehensive Coverage: Cryochaps are designed to wrap around all major tendons and ligaments in the lower leg, providing thorough and even cooling.
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Rapid Cooling: Achieving the ideal cooling temperature in under a minute, Cryochaps maintain this temperature for up to 20 minutes to ensure effective recovery.
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Compression Therapy: The combination of ice and compression enhances the effectiveness of the therapy, driving cold deeper into the tissues and reducing inflammation more efficiently.
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Ease of Use: Cryochaps are simple to apply and can be stored in the freezer for quick access. Their portable design makes them perfect for use at home, during training sessions, or at competitions.
Available in Fronts, Hinds and the Absolute Wrap which is perfect for hocks, knees and fetlocks. Prices start from RRP $179.95.
Click here for more information on Cryochaps.
Majyk Equipe Cool Gel Compression Ice Boots
The Majyk Equipe Cool Gel Compression Ice Boots are another excellent option for equine cryotherapy. These boots feature advanced technology - including a hand pump for compression - to deliver targeted cooling and compression, making them highly effective for both recovery and injury management:
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Advanced Cool Gel Technology: These boots incorporate medical-grade Cool Gel packs that stay flexible even when frozen. The gel ensures maximum contact with the horse’s leg for even and effective cooling.
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Dual-Layer Compression: The outer layer provides uniform compression to reduce inflammation, while the inner gel layer delivers consistent cooling to affected areas. The outer layer is made of NASA approved reflective material to keep the boots cooler - longer.
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Targeted Design: Majyk Equipe boots are designed to fit comfortably around the fetlock, tendon, and cannon bone areas - (much like a floating boot) ensuring comprehensive therapy.
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User-Friendly Features: These boots include adjustable straps for a secure fit, making them easy to apply and remove. The gel packs are removable and can be reused, adding to their practicality, and the compression pump stores easily in its own compartment to ensure it doesn't get broken when in use.
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Durable and Easy to Maintain: Crafted with high-quality, lightweight materials, the boots are designed for long-term use and are easy to clean, ensuring hassle-free maintenance.
Available in Pairs. RRP $399.95
Don't forget to check out the NEW Majyk Equipe GOLD Gel Ice Boots.
Click here for more information on Majyk Equipe.
