As summer heats up, keeping your horse cool and comfortable becomes essential, not just for performance but for overall well-being. Horses can struggle to regulate body temperature during hot and humid weather.
Cold therapy helps reduce inflammation, support recovery after exercise, and assist with cooling following training, competition, trail riding, or turnout. 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.
Whether you’re managing post-workout soreness or looking to reduce the risk of heat stress, the right cooling products can be an important part of your horse’s summer care 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.
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.
Check out our tutorial on how to use the Carry-Cool.
Ice Horse Back Blanket
This back blanket offers another unique and helpful solution for cooldowns. With its newly improved ice packs, 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
Farnam Vetrolin Liniment
Using a liniment wash such as Vetrolin Liniment can be another way to help your horse cool down and recover following a workout. With a gentle blend of green soap and essential oils, this product provides relief while ensuring their coat is left soft and shiny after bathtime.
Ice Horse Cooling Liniment
Utilizing a liniment can also extend 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.
FAQ: Horse Cold Therapy
How long should you ice a horse’s legs?
Generally 15–20 minutes after exercise is common, though recommendations vary depending on the horse and situation.
Can ice boots help prevent injuries?
Cold therapy may help reduce post-exercise inflammation and support recovery.
When should I use a cooling blanket on my horse?
Cooling blankets are commonly used after exercise, competition, hauling, or during hot weather recovery periods.
Are liniments a replacement for icing?
No. Many horse owners use liniments alongside cold therapy to extend cooling benefits.
Which Cooling Product Is Right for Your Horse?
Choose the cooling solution that best fits your horse’s needs:
- Professional’s Choice Ice Boots: Best for everyday leg recovery after training, competition, or turnout.
- Jack’s Cordura Ice Boots: Best for horse shows, travel, and situations where freezer access is limited.
- EquiFit GelCompression Tendon Boots: Best for horses that benefit from both cold therapy and adjustable compression.
- Carry-Cool: Best for core cooling and helping horses stay comfortable between rides or classes.
- Ice Horse Back Blanket: Best for targeting back soreness, muscle recovery, and full-body cooling.
- Farnam Vetrolin Liniment: Best for a refreshing post-workout wash that helps horses cool down after exercise.
- Ice Horse Cooling Liniment: Best for extending the effects of icing and supporting recovery after strenuous activity.
- Cavalor Muscle Cooler: Best for addressing muscle stiffness and soreness before or after exercise.
Stay Cool This Summer
Summer recovery is about more than comfort. It plays an important role in your horse’s health and performance. Whether you’re cooling legs with ice boots, targeting soreness with a back blanket, or extending relief with a liniment, incorporating cold therapy into your horse’s recovery routine can help support comfort, recovery, and overall wellness throughout the hottest months of the year.
Shop FarmVet’s full selection of horse cooling products, ice boots, recovery equipment, and summer horse care essentials.
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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