Best Liniments for Horses: How to Choose & What Actually Works | Draw It Out®

Best Liniments for Horses — How to Choose (Without the Burn) | Draw It Out®
Draw It Out® | Buyer’s Guide

Best Liniments for Horses — How to Choose (Without the Burn)

The best liniment is the one your horse accepts calmly and you’ll use consistently. That means no menthol burn, no alcohol sting, and no perfumes or dyes—just clean help for hot tendons, big muscles, and post-work puff. Use this guide to pick your format and build a repeatable routine.

Quick Chooser — Start Here

Your Need Best Fit Why
Daily, wrap-friendly support on legs & big muscles DiO 16oz High-Potency Gel Thin, even coat; dries clean; calm to wrap over
Fast cooldown after hard efforts IceBath™ Cooling Wash No-rinse whole-body cool; efficient for barns & shows
Target hot spots (tendons, fetlocks, stifles) CryoSpray® Body Brace Pinpoint cooling that dries quick—stackable after IceBath™
Sensitive skin / gear rubs on intact skin Rapid Relief Restorative Cream Feather-thin soothing layer for non-broken skin under gear
Shop the Equine Line Compare Formats

What Makes a Great Liniment (and What to Avoid)

Must-Haves

  • Sensation-free: No menthol burn, no alcohol sting—calm horses accept care.
  • Wrap-friendly: Thin, even layers that don’t gum up bandages.
  • No perfumes or dyes: Fewer distractions and residues.
  • Show-suitable: Formulated without typical show-restricted ingredients.
  • Simple system: Works with cooling, travel, and daily programs.

Skip This Stuff

  • Heavy, goopy coats that trap heat under wraps.
  • Strong scents that mask issues or irritate skin.
  • Products that need a sting to “feel” effective.

Relief you can’t feel is the point. Cool, dry, calm legs win.

House Rule: Keep any liniment off eyes and out of open or deep wounds. Use on intact skin only, unless your veterinarian directs otherwise.

Side-by-Side: Liniment & Cooling Formats

Format Best For Strengths Watch-outs Draw It Out® Option
Gel Liniment Daily support, wrap programs, big muscle groups Controlled application; dries clean; pairs with wraps Apply thin—thick coats trap heat DiO 16oz High-Potency Gel
Spray/Brace Targeted hot zones post-work or post-haul Fast, precise cooling; dries quickly Let dry fully before wrapping CryoSpray®
Cooling Wash Whole-body reset after hard rides or heat No-rinse; covers everything in 60–90 seconds Towel excess in cold weather to avoid chill IceBath™
Topical Cream Sensitive skin, gear rub areas (intact skin) Feather-thin comfort under boots or blankets Not for open/deep wounds Rapid Relief Cream
Thin layers win — heavy coats trap heat

How to Use Liniment the Right Way

  1. Cool first: Whole-body IceBath™ (1:10 sponge or RTU) for 60–90 sec. Air dry. In cold weather, shorten and towel dry.
  2. Target heat: CryoSpray® on tendons, fetlocks, stifles, hamstrings. Let dry fully.
  3. Support thin: Apply a feather-thin coat of DiO Gel to legs and big muscles. Wrap with clean/dry materials if part of your program.
Cold vs. Liniment Post-Ride Map

Pick the Right Play for the Job

Scenario What To Do Products
Routine post-ride warmth IceBath™ → CryoSpray® hot spots → thin Gel; re-check in AM IceBath™ · CryoSpray® · DiO Gel
Stall/haul puff (cool, painless) Walk 10–15 min → thin Gel → optional clean wraps DiO Gel
Long haul arrival Walk out → IceBath™ → CryoSpray® → thin Gel; wraps overnight if stocker IceBath™ · CryoSpray® · DiO Gel
Sensitive skin under boots (intact skin) Clean/dry → feather-thin soothing layer → fit gear correctly Rapid Relief Cream
Cooling Playbook See the Full Line

Red Flags — Call Your Vet

  • Non-weight-bearing or rapidly worsening lameness
  • Hot, painful one-leg swelling or fever ≥101.5°F
  • Deep cuts/punctures—especially near joints/tendon sheaths
  • Swelling that climbs the limb or doesn’t improve by morning

Topicals support comfort; they don’t replace diagnosis or treatment.

FAQ

Is menthol “tingle” necessary for a liniment to work?
No. Sensation isn’t effectiveness. Our system is designed to be calm and sensation-free so horses accept care and recover better.
Can I wrap over Draw It Out® Gel?
Yes—apply a thin, even coat on clean, dry legs and use clean, dry wraps. Check at each change.
Show-safe?
Draw It Out® products are formulated without typical show-restricted ingredients and are suitable when used as directed. Always check your association’s current rules.
Gel vs. Spray—how do I choose?
Use Gel for daily/wrap programs and large muscle groups. Use CryoSpray® to hit specific hot spots quickly. Many barns layer both after IceBath™.
Can I use liniment on an open wound?
No—use on intact skin only unless your veterinarian directs otherwise.

Brand DNA: Loyalty · Innovation · Story · Deep Care. No burn, no sting, no drama—just relief.

Shop the Draw It Out® Staples

DiO 16oz High-Potency Gel IceBath™ Cooling Wash CryoSpray® Body Brace Rapid Relief Restorative Cream

Follow label directions. Keep products out of eyes and out of open/deep wounds.

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