How to Reduce Inflammation in a Horse’s Legs (Naturally & Effectively) | Draw It Out®

How to Reduce Inflammation in Horses’ Legs — Calm, Barn-Simple Plan | Draw It Out®
Draw It Out® | Leg Care 101

How to Reduce Inflammation in Horses’ Legs

Inflammation shows up as heat, puffiness, and tenderness—after work, travel, or a misstep. The fix is a calm, repeatable plan: 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.

Quick Chooser

  • Both hinds mildly puffy, cool after stall/haul? Routine inactivity fill → follow the daily routine below.
  • One leg hot, painful or fever ≥101.5°F? Suspect infection or injury → cool gently & call your vet.
  • After a hard ride or deep footing? Run the 3-step acute routine; re-check morning and evening.
Stocking Up vs. Serious After-Exercise Swelling

First 60-Second Check

  • One leg or both? One-leg swelling is more concerning than even fill in both hinds.
  • Heat & pain? Back of your hand along tendons/fetlocks; note any flinch.
  • Lameness? Walk straight, turn, and back a step. Marked lameness = vet.
  • Wounds/punctures? Near joints/tendon sheaths = emergency.
Go to the 3-Step Acute Routine See the First-48-Hours Map

3-Step Acute Routine (3–6 minutes)

  1. Cool: Whole-body IceBath™ at 1:10 sponge or RTU spray for 60–90 sec. Air dry—no rinse.
  2. Target: CryoSpray® on hot tendons, fetlocks, stifles, hamstrings; let dry fully.
  3. Support: Thin, even coat of Draw It Out® 16oz Gel to legs & large muscles. Wrap/boot if that’s your program.

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

Cold vs. Liniment Post-Ride Map

First 48 Hours — What to Do & Expect

Window Normal Do This Not Normal → Action
0–6 hrs Mild heat/puff; horse comfortable Run acute routine; walk out 10–15 min; light standing wraps if your program Won’t bear weight, severe pain, or deep wound → emergency vet
Evening Heat down; fill improving or stable Repeat cooling if warm; thin Gel; clean wraps overnight if needed One leg hot/painful or swelling spreading → call vet
Next morning Cooler, flatter legs; sound at walk Short walk; thin Gel; return to light work if sound Persistent heat/pain/lameness → veterinary guidance
Consistency beats intensity

Modalities That Actually Help (and How to Use Them)

Cold Therapy

  • IceBath™ gives a fast, no-rinse whole-body cool (1:10).
  • Cold hosing/ice boots target single zones—use after IceBath™ as needed.
  • In cold weather: shorten wet cooling, towel dry, and blanket appropriately.

Targeted Topicals

  • CryoSpray® for hot tendons/fetlocks/stifles; let dry fully.
  • DiO 16oz Gel for thin, wrap-friendly support on intact skin.
  • For skin rubs on intact skin, a feather-thin Rapid Relief Cream layer.

Compression (Smart, Not Heavy)

  • Use clean/dry standing wraps; even tension; no wrinkles/roping.
  • Change at least every 12 hours; legs should trend cooler/flatter.
  • Avoid tight wraps over hot, damp legs.

Movement & Rest

  • Quiet stall + short walk sets (5–10 min) beat pacing.
  • Add work back only when cool/flat and sound.
  • Travel weeks: pre-walk, arrival cool, and hydration plan.
Cooling Playbook See Equine Line

Stable Factors That Drive Inflammation

  • Footing: Avoid deep/shifty or rutted surfaces; keep drills short in heat.
  • Hoof balance: Stay on trim schedule; sore feet = sore soft tissue.
  • Hydration: Offer electrolytes per label and a second bucket of plain water—see Hydro-Lyte™ tips.
  • Fly control: Stomping fills legs—keep a Citraquin™ routine.
  • Hauling: Pre-walk, protect legs, arrival cool → target → support.

Wrapping — Do It Right

  • Clean/dry legs and materials; apply thin Gel only.
  • Even tension from mid-cannon down & back up; no pressure points.
  • Remove/rewrap at least every 12 hours; reassess heat/fill each time.
Thin layers win — heavy coats trap heat

Common Mistakes

  • Skipping cooling or wrapping over a hot, damp leg
  • “Painting on” thick product layers (traps heat, fouls wraps)
  • Returning to circles/deep footing too soon
  • Ignoring one-leg heat or swelling with fever

Quick Reference — Scenarios & Plays

Scenario What To Do Products
After hard ride IceBath™ → CryoSpray® → thin DiO Gel; wraps overnight IceBath™ · CryoSpray® · DiO 16oz Gel
Stall/haul puff (cool) Walk 10–15 min → thin Gel → optional clean wraps DiO 16oz Gel
Heat wave Prioritize fast cool; hydration; lighter layers IceBath™ · CryoSpray® · Hydro-Lyte™
Boot rubs on intact skin Clean/dry; feather-thin soothing layer; adjust gear Rapid Relief Cream

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 near joints or tendon sheaths
  • Swelling that climbs the limb or doesn’t improve by morning

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

FAQ

Cold hosing or IceBath™—which is better?
Use what you have. IceBath™ gives a fast, no-rinse whole-body cool; cold hosing targets a single area. Many barns do IceBath™, then CryoSpray® on hot spots.
Can I wrap over Draw It Out® Gel?
Yes. It’s wrap-friendly. Apply a thin, even layer on clean, dry legs and use clean, dry materials; check at each change.
How soon can I ride again?
When legs are cool/flat and the horse is sound at walk next day, resume light work and monitor. Heat, pain, or lameness—stop and call your vet.
Is this routine 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.
What about meds like NSAIDs?
Only under veterinary guidance. This page covers supportive care you can start in the barn while you consult your veterinarian.

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