Post-Ride Leg Care for Horses: Why It’s Essential (Not Optional) | Draw It Out®

Post-Ride Leg Care for Horses — Cool, Target, Support | Draw It Out®
Draw It Out® | Leg Care 101

Post-Ride Leg Care for Horses

In 3–6 minutes you can reset legs after work: cool the whole horse, target hot spots, then support with a thin, wrap-friendly coat. No menthol burn, no alcohol sting, no perfumes or dyes—just calm, repeatable care horses accept.

Quick Chooser

  • Legs hot or pulsing? Start with IceBath™ → CryoSpray®, then coat with DiO Gel once dry.
  • Cool but puffy after stall/haul? Light movement + DiO 16oz Gel; clean standing wraps if that’s your program.
  • Skin rubs/scurf? Clean/dry, then Rapid Relief Cream feather-thin; for stubborn spots use RESTOREaHORSE®.
  • Won’t bear weight, deep cut, or fever? Call your vet. Keep the horse quiet.
Shop IceBath™ Shop CryoSpray® Shop DiO 16oz Gel

Standard Post-Ride Routine (3–6 minutes)

  1. Cool: Whole-body IceBath™ at 1:10 sponge or RTU spray for 60–90 seconds. Air dry—no rinse.
  2. Target: CryoSpray® on hot tendons, stifles, hamstrings; let dry fully.
  3. Support: Apply a thin, even layer of DiO 16oz Gel to legs & big muscle groups. Wrap/boot if that’s your program.

Keep products out of eyes and open/deep wounds. Let each step dry before the next.

Cooling Playbook Cold vs. Liniment

Adjust for the Day You Had

Light Ride

  • Quick IceBath™ pass
  • CryoSpray® only on any warmth you feel
  • Feather-thin DiO Gel; no wrap unless your horse stocks up

Hard Effort / Deep Footing

  • Extend IceBath™ and repeat CryoSpray® once dry
  • Thin DiO Gel; clean standing wraps overnight
  • Monitor AM/PM for heat & fill

Heat & Humidity

  • Prioritize fast cooling; fans/shade
  • Offer electrolytes per label + plain water
  • Light Gel only; avoid heavy product build-up

Cold/Windy

  • Use IceBath™ sparingly to avoid chilling
  • Towel excess moisture; blanket appropriately
  • Lean on DiO Gel for support when skipping wet cool-downs

Where to Apply — Quick Map

Area Cooling Support Notes
Cannons & Tendons IceBath™ → CryoSpray® DiO Gel thin layer Wrap-friendly; check at next change
Fetlocks IceBath™ pass Light Gel Watch for boot rubs or windpuffs
Stifles/Hamstrings IceBath™ → CryoSpray® Massage a feather-thin coat Let each layer dry before saddling/blanketing
Back/Loin IceBath™ rinse-off pass Thin Gel as needed Avoid heavy build-up under pads
Thin layers win. Heavy coats trap heat.

Wrapping — Smart, Not Heavy

  • When: After hard rides, during travel, or for routine “stocking-up” horses.
  • How: Clean/dry legs; thin Gel; even tension from mid-cannon down and back up; no wrinkles.
  • Check: Off/on at least every 12 hours—legs should trend cooler and flatter, not hotter/tighter.

Travel Day Add-Ons

  • Arrival: Walk out 10 minutes → IceBath™ pass → CryoSpray® hot spots → thin Gel; wrap if that’s your program.
  • Hydration: Offer electrolytes per label and a second bucket of plain, fresh water.
  • Evening check: Re-assess heat and fill; adjust work and wraps accordingly.
Hydration Tips See Equine Line

Common Mistakes

  • Wrapping over a hot, damp leg
  • Applying products too thick (traps heat; fouls wraps/boots)
  • Skipping the whole-body cool on hot days
  • Ignoring small day-to-day changes in heat or fill

Quick Reference — Post-Ride Plays

Scenario What To Do Products
Routine ride IceBath™ → CryoSpray® (hot spots) → thin DiO Gel IceBath™ · CryoSpray® · DiO 16oz Gel
Hard effort Extend cooling; repeat CryoSpray®; DiO Gel; wraps overnight IceBath™ · CryoSpray® · DiO 16oz Gel
Skin rubs/scurf Clean/dry; feather-thin Rapid Relief; let set before gear Rapid Relief Cream
Heat wave Prioritize fast cool; hydration plan; lighter layers IceBath™ · CryoSpray® · Hydro-Lyte™

FAQ

How long should I cool after a ride?
60–90 seconds of IceBath™ whole-body plus targeted CryoSpray® covers most rides. For heat/deep footing, extend cooling and repeat once the coat is dry.
Can I wrap over Draw It Out® Gel?
Yes. It’s wrap-friendly. Use a thin, even layer on clean, dry legs and clean, dry materials; check legs at each change.
Cold hosing vs. IceBath™—which is better?
Use what you have. IceBath™ offers an efficient, no-rinse whole-body cool; cold hosing targets one area. Many barns do IceBath™, then CryoSpray® on hot spots.
My horse stocks up—should I still cool?
Yes—especially after hauling or hot work. Pair light cooling with a thin coat of DiO Gel and clean standing wraps if that’s your program.
When should I call my vet?
Any non-weight-bearing lameness, hot/painful one-leg swelling, deep cuts/punctures near joints/tendon sheaths, fever ≥101.5°F, or swelling that climbs or won’t improve in 24–48 hours.

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