Seasonal Care • Fall Recovery
Fall Horse Care: When to Wrap, When to Liniment
Cool mornings, muddy paddocks, and show-season trails—fall doesn’t play easy on horse legs. Riders often ask: wrap or liniment? The answer isn’t either/or. It’s knowing which tool serves your horse best at the right time.
Step One: Cool What’s Hot
After a hard fall ride, start with a proper cool down. Hose the legs, scrape between passes, and make sure heat leaves the tendons. Never trap warm water under wraps—that’s like buttoning a winter coat after a sprint.
Precision helps: keep CryoSpray® handy for targeted cool-down on hot zones, then let legs dry fully.
Step Two: Dry to the Bone
Damp legs under compression invite rubs. Pat with a towel, let air flow, and double-check fetlocks. Think of it as laying down dry ground before pitching a tent.
Step Three: Liniment for Support
A show-aware, sensation-free liniment delivers support under wraps or on its own. Apply a whisper-thin layer—a sheen, not a smear. Enough to back your horse’s legs without skin drama or rule worries.
Step Four: Wrap When It’s Earned
Wraps shine after heavy work, long hauls, or when swelling lurks. Use clean quilts and smooth tension, and do a comfort/temperature check at 30–45 minutes. Don’t wrap just because “that’s what we do”—make each wrap earn its place.
Putting It Together
- Quick rides / light work: Liniment only.
- Long trail or performance days: Liniment + wraps.
- Travel days: Liniment under shipping boots; skip full wraps until stalls.
- Muddy turnout: Dry legs, light liniment, skip wraps until dry housing.
Further Reading
Get deeper into seasonal routines:
More playbooks live in the Real Rider Resource hub.
Keep Legs Cool, Clean & Show-Safe
One routine. Steady results. Ready for tomorrow.
Educational content—not a diagnosis. Always follow labels and association rules. If heat or swelling persists, consult your veterinarian.
