Poultice vs. Liniment — Which One Does Your Horse Need? | Draw It Out®
Draw It Out® | Recovery Playbook

Poultice vs. Liniment — Which One Does Your Horse Need?

Both tools live in a good barn kit. Liniment is your fast, wrap-friendly support for legs and big muscles. Poultice is a clay-based draw & surface-cool that sits on longer. Use the chooser, then follow the step-by-steps. No menthol burn, no alcohol sting, no perfumes or dyes.

Quick Chooser — Start Here

  • Warm tendons & big muscles after a ride? Liniment routine → cool → target → support.
  • You want longer surface cooling overnight? Consider poultice (intact skin, clean, not too tight) → how to apply.
  • Even, cool puff after stall/haul? Thin, wrap-friendly liniment is usually enough.
  • One leg hot & painful or fever ≥101.5°F? Cool gently & call your vet.
Shop DiO High-Potency Gel Shop CryoSpray® Shop IceBath™

Use topicals on intact skin only. Keep all products out of eyes and out of open/deep wounds.

Poultice vs. Liniment — Side-by-Side

Topic Liniment Poultice
Main Purpose Fast cooling & support; wrap-friendly routine after work or travel Prolonged surface cooling/draw; sits on for hours under paper/wrap
Where It Shines Daily programs; post-ride; after hauling; stocking-up management Big days, hard efforts, or when you want a longer cool-down window
Sensation Sensation-free with Draw It Out® (no sting, no perfume) Neutral/cool feel from moisture evaporation; should not burn/tingle
Time On Leg Minutes to apply; recheck AM/PM Typically 8–12 hours, then remove & wash off per label
Wrapping Clean standing wraps over a thin coat are common Usually under wet paper/brown paper, then quilt & standing wrap
Pairing Stacks well with whole-body cooling (IceBath™) and targeted CryoSpray® Use instead of liniment under wraps—don’t layer Gel beneath poultice
Rule of Thumb: Choose one wrap medium at a time. If you poultice under wraps, skip liniment under those same wraps. You can still do a quick whole-body cool (IceBath™) before either approach.

How to Use Liniment (3–6 Minutes)

  1. Cool first: Whole-body IceBath™ at 1:10 sponge or RTU for 60–90 sec. Air dry—no rinse.
  2. Target heat: CryoSpray® on hot tendons, fetlocks, stifles, hamstrings; let dry fully.
  3. Support thin: Feather-thin coat of DiO 16oz Gel to legs & large muscles. Clean standing wraps if it’s your program.
Post-Ride Map Wraps + Liniment Guide

How to Use Poultice (Safely)

  1. Prep: Check for one-leg heat/pain or wounds. If present, cool gently and call your vet.
  2. Clean & (optionally) cool: Rinse or quick IceBath™ pass; towel legs dry thoroughly.
  3. Apply poultice: Smooth a uniform layer (about ¼ inch) on intact skin over tendons/cannons or target areas.
  4. Paper & wrap: Cover with wet paper/brown paper; apply clean quilt and standing wrap with even tension—never tight.
  5. Time & remove: Leave on typically 8–12 hours (per label). Remove completely, rinse clean, and reassess heat/fill.

Do not combine Gel under poultice. Choose one medium beneath wraps to avoid trapped heat or maceration.

Stacking Strategies (When & How)

Big Day Reset

  • IceBath™ whole-body → CryoSpray® hot spots
  • EITHER thin DiO Gel + clean wraps OR clay poultice + paper + wraps
  • Recheck at ~12 hours

Stall/Haul “Stockers”

  • Walk 10–15 min → thin DiO Gel
  • Optional clean wraps; skip poultice unless you need longer cooling

Cold Weather

  • Short IceBath™ pass (or skip), towel dry
  • Prefer thin DiO Gel + wraps; be conservative with wet poultice in cold/drafty barns

Skin Sensitive (Intact Skin)

  • Feather-thin Rapid Relief Cream on intact skin under gear (not under poultice)
  • Rinse fully after any poultice application
Thin layers win — heavy coats trap heat

Quick Plays by Scenario

Scenario What To Do Products/Notes
Routine post-ride warmth IceBath™ → CryoSpray® → thin DiO Gel; optional wraps IceBath™ · CryoSpray® · DiO Gel
Hard effort / deep footing Extend cooling; EITHER thin Gel + wraps OR poultice + paper + wraps Don’t layer Gel under poultice
Hauling day arrival Walk out 10 min → IceBath™ → CryoSpray® → thin Gel; wraps overnight if “stocker” Travel hydration plan, too
Cold snap Short cool or skip wet; thin Gel + wraps Be cautious with wet poultice

Do’s & Don’ts

Do Don’t
Pick one wrap medium: liniment or poultice Layer Gel under poultice
Apply thin, even coats on clean, dry, intact skin Glob heavy product (traps heat, macerates skin)
Let cooling steps dry before wrapping Wrap over hot, wet legs
Change at least every ~12 hours; reassess heat/fill Leave wraps/poultice on past label guidance
Rinse poultice off completely before next work Ride with poultice on or under boots

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 poultice “stronger” than liniment?
It’s different. Poultice provides longer surface cooling/draw. Liniment delivers fast, wrap-friendly support and pairs well with whole-body cooling. Choose based on the job and conditions.
Can I use poultice and liniment together?
Yes—sequentially, not layered. Do IceBath™ → CryoSpray®, then choose either thin DiO Gel + wraps or poultice + paper + wraps.
Can I wrap over Draw It Out® Gel?
Yes. Apply a thin, even layer on clean, dry legs; use clean, dry wraps; recheck at ~12 hours.
Can I ride with poultice on?
No. Remove completely and rinse before work. Poultice is for recovery windows, not during exercise.
Show-suitable?
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.

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IceBath™ Cooling Wash CryoSpray® Body Brace Draw It Out® High-Potency Gel Wraps + Liniment Guide

Follow label directions. Use on intact skin only.

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