Although I haven't nailed down a definitive post-ride routine, I did play around a little bit with a few different ideas this weekend. After our Saturday ride, I applied Sore-No-More Gelotion and wrapped his legs using No-Bows and track bandages. We walked around a fair bit to keep everything moving, although nowhere near as much as he would have in turn out. On Sunday morning, he had a bit of swelling near the bottom of his tendons, although no heat or tenderness. After that, however, I bought a pair of ice boots from Susan Favro of Healthy as a Horse to use after Monday's ride.
On Monday during our hold, I pulled out and used the ice boots for 10 minutes. When we returned after the ride, I rinsed him off completely from head to toe and applied the ice boots again for 20 minutes. After this, I applied Sore-No-More gelotion and walked him around. Once he was dry, I applied a thick coating of clay poultice to his lower legs. We trailered home a few hours after finishing and he was returned to his pasture. On Tuesday, his legs were cool and tight with no hint of swelling.
Jasper sporting his post-ride ice boots (for 20 minutes only).
I believe the lack of filling/swelling is mostly from his not being able to move around, as his legs have filled on days surrounded by no work when he was in stall confinement. However, I do believe the ice boots play a role in stopping the inflammatory process and decreasing any swelling potential before it starts.
My question for all of you: What is your post-ride leg routine?
3 comments:
I'm still playing with this too. For a while I used one-piece wraps (soaked in very cold water) with clay poultice underneath, but I got tired of the mess and I was never really sure how much good they did. The last couple of seasons I've not used anything at all, and he seems to be doing just as well. *shrug* If I could afford ice boots I might get them... but since I don't have a freezer in my trailer, that offers its own set of complications.
I use ice boots for 20 minutes post ride. Recently, my vet has suggested using Surpass on the old bow for 4 days post ride, just as insurance. I know some people who give a gram or 2 of bute for muscle soreness. Anyway - whether or not I decide to use the surpass, after icing I wrap with pillow wraps and a standing wrap over night. I remove wraps in the morning so I can monitor filling. If I'm concerned there is an issue with a leg, I usually leave it UNWRAPPED so I can monitor heat and filling. Wraps make me nervous because I don't know what's under them! So I usually only wrap when I confident that the hrose is recovering well. I do use standing wraps on the trialer ride home.
I put ice boots on sometimes after a ride - usually if it had a lot of downhill or hardpacked footing. I did use ice boots on Chief each day after finishing at Schellbourne last week.
That's all I do. I haven't ever wrapped or done anything else.
Oh yeah - before putting the ice boots on I will usually apply a glob of aloe vera gel to the leg to help with the cooling.
To help prevent stocking up I try to walk the horse every hour or two post ride and then every four or five hours after bedtime. If I time it right I only have to really get up out of bed once.
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