Stop the Burn: Why Old-School Liniments Are Failing Your Horse

Let’s cut to the chase — your horse isn’t a crash-test dummy, and their post-workout recovery shouldn’t feel like a chemical science experiment.

For decades, traditional liniments have been the go-to for muscle relief. But here’s the dirty little secret: most of them do more harm than good. If your liniment routine includes a face full of menthol fumes, a sting that makes your horse jump, and an alcohol punch strong enough to sterilize a tattoo gun, it’s time for a change.

Here’s why.

1. That Burn Isn’t Relief — It’s Irritation

Traditional liniments are loaded with menthol, camphor, and methyl salicylate — ingredients that create a cooling or burning sensation. Sure, it feels like something’s happening, but that feeling is just your horse’s nerves reacting to irritation.

Translation: you’re not soothing anything — you’re distracting from the pain. That burn doesn’t mean healing. It means inflammation on top of inflammation.

2. Alcohol-Based = Skin-Drying, Hair-Frying Disaster

Look at the label. See that high alcohol content? That’s why your horse’s coat is dry, flaky, and irritated after regular use.

Alcohol might help the product dry fast, but it also:

Strips natural oils from the skin

Exacerbates irritation

Can sting open scrapes or sensitive skin

Using these liniments long-term is like washing your face with vodka. Sounds harsh? It is.

3. The Smell Could Drop a Bull

If your liniment smells like a junior high locker room stuffed with muscle rubs and regret — that’s a problem.

Strong synthetic fragrances and menthol overload:

Agitate your horse’s ultra-sensitive nose

Stick to everything (blankets, tack, you… for days)

Turn your trailer into a no-go zone

You shouldn’t need a gas mask just to keep your horse sound. Period.

4. Not Show-Safe = Not Worth It

Most traditional formulas? Not FEI- or USEF-compliant. If you’re competing, you’re gambling with your results every time you use one.

Banned substances, residue concerns, and no clear ingredient transparency = a massive nope from us and the rulebook.

5. It’s a Surface-Level Bandage, Not a Deep-Tissue Solution

Old-school liniments numb the surface. That’s it. No real penetration, no long-lasting relief, and definitely no support for tendons, ligaments, or joints where inflammation hides.

They may feel fast, but they don’t fix anything. You want real results? You need a formula built to work at the cellular level.

The Smarter, Safer Alternative?

Draw It Out® — DMSO-Free, Menthol-Free, Alcohol-Free. All Business.

At Draw It Out®, we threw out the gimmicks. No burn. No stink. No nonsense. Instead, we use a proprietary Epsom salt-based mineral blend — backed by nature, loved by vets, and safe for daily use even during competition season.

✅ Odorless & colorless
✅ Alcohol-free, menthol-free
✅ Safe under wraps, boots & pads
✅ FEI- and USEF-compliant
✅ Designed for deep-tissue recovery, not temporary numbness

One application and you’ll see what real relief looks like — and your horse will feel it, too.

Shop the Tested-and-True Lineup

Ready to Ditch the Burn?

Leave the antique liniments in the history books. Step into modern horse care with Draw It Out® — where performance meets peace of mind.

👉 Shop DIO Now