As summer heats up, keeping your horse cool and comfortable becomes essential, not just for performance but for overall well-being. Cold therapy is a staple in equestrian care, offering benefits ranging from reduced inflammation to enhanced recovery. In the hotter temperatures, it is also a way to help your horse’s core body temperature return to normal after a workout or time in the heat. These tried-and-true products are sure to become a staple in your horse’s summer cooldown routine.
1. Ice Boots: Fast, Effective, and Practical
Professional’s Choice Ice Boots
These ice boots are simple to use, with no extra ice or inserts required. They are available as tendon boots or hock boots. The gel pockets in these ice boots stay soft and moldable when frozen for excellent coverage and compression throughout treatment.
Jack’s Manufacturing Cordura Ice Boots
Jack’s Cordura Ice Boots are a unique option that allows you to ice your horse when you don’t have access to a freezer. Rather than requiring frozen inserts or ice packs, these boots simply use ice. When you’re on the road or away from the barn, you can still help your horse’s legs cool down with any bag of ice.
EquiFit GelCompression Tendon Boots
For a step beyond chilling, GelCompression boots combine cold therapy with adjustable compression via a hand pump. After applying the ice boot to the leg, use the hand pump to push air into the boot’s shell. This allows for customizable compression ranging from light to heavy, maximizing efficiency and cooling benefits.
Jack’s Manufacturing Whirlpool Boots
When hydrotherapy meets cold therapy, you get Whirlpool Boots. These boots fill with water and ice (and optional Epsom salts), which is then aerated to create a spa-like massaging effect for your horse’s legs. With customizable water depth and temperature control, these boots are sure to fit seamlessly into any program.
2. Full‑Body & Back Cooling Solutions
Carry‑Cool
The Carry-Cool is a great addition to your summer cooling toolkit, especially when icing isn’t practical or necessary. This contoured neck wrap targets a key area for regulating body temperature. It stays secure even while your horse is tacked, making it ideal between classes, after workouts, or even during exercise. The kit includes reusable ice packs and an insulated bag, so it’s easy to take on the go.
Ice Horse Back Blanket
This back blanket offers another unique and helpful solution for cooldowns. It is a powerful tool for targeting soreness and inflammation across the horse’s back, and also assists in lowering core temperature.
3. Topicals & Extenders for Longer Effects
Ice Horse Cooling Liniment
Utilizing a liniment can also help cool down your horse’s muscles and may even extend the icing effects. Ice Horse does just that with a powerful, non-staining liniment gel that blends arnica, MSM, and calendula to reduce pain, inflammation, and swelling. It’s ideal after icing to extend the cooling effect and promote circulation. And as a bonus, it’s safe to use on yourself, too!
Cavalor Muscle Cooler
This cooling gel targets muscle soreness or stiffness to aid in recovery. Packed with menthol, peppermint, and cooling botanicals, it prepares muscles pre‑ride and accelerates cooldown post‑workout. Its fast‑absorbing, non‑sticky texture makes it a favorite among horsemen.
Cold Therapy in Conclusion
Cold therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all–it’s about matching treatment to need. For quick leg icing, ice boots are reliable, but when you want full-body relief while staying on the move, the Carry‑Cool, back blanket, and liniment turn good therapy into great. Each of these products is available at FarmVet, so you can get ready for the hot summer ahead.
More Summer Safety Tips
Avoiding the heat of the day during summertime can provide another solution to keep your horse cool and comfortable. Learn why more equestrians are turning to night grazing for its health benefits and more.
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