We all want our horses to feel and perform their best. During the show season,
the stress of travel, grueling long days, and unforgiving concrete poses a substantial
threat to our equine partner’s comfort. There are some show-legal medications that can
be administered, such as Bute, Banamine, and Equioxx; but that is not always enough.
Thankfully, there are additional steps we can take to combat inflammation, muscle
fatigue, and other symptoms impacting our equine athletes. Let’s explore some natural
remedies; what they are, how to use them, and how they help.
Poultice
Have you seen the horses with that funny white stuff on their legs? That’s
poultice! Poultice is a moist, clay-based product meant to draw out heat and reduce
inflammation. Some brands use additives, such as aloe vera and epsom salt, to provide
additional benefits or serve as an antiseptic. That said, it is important to review the
ingredients and make sure they are legal for your breed organization.
Using poultice is easy. Simply apply a thick layer, approximately ¼”, over the
treatment area, leave on for 6-12 hours to dry, and rinse off. When applying to the legs,
it is recommended to cover with plastic or wet paper and wrap to prolong the benefits.
This works by keeping the leg cool and delaying the drying time of the poultice, which is
how it draws out heat.
In addition to the legs, frequently treated areas include the knees, hocks, stifles,
and back. These areas are not normally wrapped, but still receive much benefit from the
treatment. As a useful aside, medicated poultices are often used to help draw out hoof
abscesses.
Liniment
Liniments are another tool for reducing muscle soreness, but the use case is
much broader. Some liniments contain cooling agents, like menthol, that can cool and
soothe the muscles. Others promote warmth and can help relax stiff muscles. Most
liniments can be used in a couple ways. As a brace, apply undiluted to the affected area
and wrap where able. Alternatively, liniment can be mixed with water to reduce the
strength and be used after workouts to help prevent soreness.
Copper-Infused Therapy
Copper-infused fabrics are well known in the medical field for their ability to
increase circulation and aid in healing. In fact, there are a variety of copper-infused
products made for people, so it is no surprise that horses can utilize the same
technology, with some tweaks of course! Many different products are made for horses,
ranging from leg wraps, bell boots, hock wraps, and sheets.
These products are less time consuming to use than poultice or liniment and are
easy to use throughout the show day. Making them a great option for the all-around
exhibitor looking for relief between classes. A sheet can be used in tandem with other
remedies to provide full body therapy overnight.
Magnetic Therapy
Similar to copper-infused fabrics, magnetic therapy is another multi-use tool for
combating soreness. A variety of products are made with low-power magnets that boost
circulation and reduce inflammation. Ultimately leading to a decrease in muscle tension
and soreness. One important note about magnetic therapy; it is not recommended to
leave these products on for an extended period of time. In fact, sessions should be short
initially and gradually increase in duration as the horse becomes accustomed to the
therapy. Although magnets may not be suitable as an overnight treatment, they can be a powerful tool for post-exercise recovery.
Light Therapy
There are a variety of LED and Red light therapy devices you can invest in for
your equine partner. Although these do boast a higher price tag than the
aforementioned therapies, the benefits of light treatments are well documented.
Without getting into the nitty gritty, these therapies work by stimulating blood flow and
increasing oxygen saturation in the treatment area. Overall, reducing inflammation,
speeding healing, and providing pain relief. Typical treatments only last 20-30 minutes
once a day per area. The short application time, and lack of wrapping needed makes
light therapy ideal for those hard to cover areas; like stifles, withers, and others.
Some housekeeping, it is important to try all therapies at home, prior to a show,
to check for any allergic reactions. Be sure to read all ingredients and make sure they are safe to use for your governing organization. It is not recommended to use all of these therapies together, instead try some out and see what works best for your horse! Please remember that is not veterinary advice and you should consult your vet for any
soundness concerns.
Our equine partners work hard for us, so it’s only fair that we work hard to keep
them comfortable! Keep these therapies in mind for your next show and perform your
best.
