Equine cryotherapy, better known as cold therapy, uses cold temperatures via water, ice, and other temperature-controlled methods to prevent and solve injury. We use cold therapy to heal and protect horses’ hooves, fetlocks, hocks, pasterns, stifles, backs, hips, and more. It is a popular choice for equestrians due to the many great benefits to the horse. Cold therapy can be used routinely, as it’s not just for acute trauma but also for injury prevention. So whether you use hosing, soaking boots, or cryotherapy devices, it’s a great idea to incorporate a cold therapy routine for your horse.
How to Prepare for Your Cold Therapy Routine
Therapy routines aren’t created in a minute. That’s why it’s so important to ensure you have everything you need, from the items to begin therapy to the basic “whys” of what cold therapy is important for and how it will impact your horse.
Identify situations where cold therapy is beneficial. Starting therapy shouldn’t be a spur-of-the-moment idea. Consider when you think your horse most needs cold therapy. Knowing your “why” will make it easier to target where your horse needs the cold therapy, as well as how long each session should be and how often the sessions should occur.
Is your horse showing signs of inflammation, swelling, or pain post-workout?
Do you find your horse gets stiff after workouts?
What about if your horse develops an injury? Cold therapy reduces swelling and provides great blood flow to the affected area, sending lots of important, freshly oxygenated blood to the injury site.
Are you trying to alleviate pain?
Does your horse now, or did they have laminitis and can benefit from cold therapy?
Do you want to start cold therapy to prevent any soft-tissue injury possibilities or prevent an old injury from flaring up?
Setting up a designated area for cold therapy sessions. You know the “why,” what about the “where”? Cold therapy is best done where you have access to what you need. A wash stall or even the barn aisle is a good place to use cold therapy, where your horse can be comfortable and in crossties is best. You’ll also need a place where you have access to a hose or water source. A low-traffic area of the barn is also essential, as you want your horse calm while you treat them.
In addition, most forms of cold therapy are ill-advised to be done outside or before/during turnout, so it's a good idea to have access to a nearby area, like a stall, where your horse can stay quiet.
Gathering necessary supplies and equipment (ice packs, buckets, cold water sources, etc.). Depending on what form of cold therapy for horses you plan to use will depend on what supplies you need. In general, you will need:
A hose or other water source like a spigot or a sink;
Ice packs (storing these in a mini fridge in the barn is a great idea, or having them easily accessible from where they are stored regularly);
Muck buckets;
Towels;
Ice, either in bags or from the freezer;
Any boots, wraps, or cryotherapy devices specially designed for cold therapy (if needed);
And treats
Creating a schedule for regular cold therapy sessions. Create a schedule for regular sessions depending on why you are using cold therapy. If your vet has recommended cold therapy, asking them how often they think it is beneficial is always a great idea. The schedule is also dictated based on whether you are preventing or treating an injury, as it is more likely to be aggressive if it’s a newer injury.
Best Practices for Applying Cold Therapy
Knowing the best practices when working with cold therapy is essential to target the correct area while keeping your horse comfortable. Here are some tips for making the most of cold therapy:
The temperature of the cold therapy needs to be between 50F and 59F. Higher and the therapy is ineffective; lower and you can cause discomfort.
Time is your friend or enemy. Depending on your method, be mindful of when you use cold therapy. Most forms of cold therapy recommend no more than 30 minutes and no less than 15 minutes. For a new injury, cold therapy should be used for 20 minutes, with at least 30-minute breaks between each ice session, multiple times per day, during the first 36-48 hours of an injury. During the rehab process or as prevention, a 20-minute session once per day or after a workout is very effective. Note: Vets will not recommend longer icing periods unless your horse shows signs of acute laminitis or founder.
If soaking, using a towel in the bottom of a bucket will give your horse more stability as they stand inside.
Make sure to test any cryotherapy devices before use to make sure they are in good working order before putting on your horse.
If you are fairly new to wrapping a horse’s leg, it is best to ask a trainer for help.
Letting your horse get a good look at the new cold therapy products is a great way to introduce them to therapy and keep them calm. This is especially true for cryotherapy devices or cooling gel pads for back and hips.
Ensure all gel and ice packs for wraps and boots are frozen before use. The best idea is to return these packs to the freezer immediately after use.
Praise your horse afterward. Our horses know we love them, but sometimes, how we show it is confusing…especially when we have to stand in a bucket or wear large boots!
To lower the temperature while soaking, consider adding rock salt (but watch the temperature, as too much salt can bring it down too far!).
Tips for Success
In addition to the practices above, successful cold therapy routines include:
Maintaining consistency in the cold therapy routine; make the schedule and stick to it!
Properly storing and caring for equipment to ensure effectiveness. Put all equipment and instructions back in their carrying case, wash wraps and boots according to the instructions, and keep all of your cold therapy gear organized in tack boxes and rooms to prevent dirt, dust, and critters from getting into your equipment.
Being attentive to signs of discomfort or adverse reactions. While horses are typically tolerant of cold, it doesn’t mean they are immune. Make sure to dry your horse thoroughly after cold therapy.
Consistent check-ins with your horse regarding their response to cold therapy, and adjust the duration and frequency of sessions based on that response.
Seek professional assistance for complex cases or severe injuries. A quick call to the vet for their advice is never wrong!
Integrating Cold Therapy With Other Types of Therapy
A cold therapy routine is a great way to keep your horse happy and healthy but is easily complemented with other types of therapy for optimal results. While cold therapy helps stop inflammation and swelling, heat therapy will increase blood flow and help with stiffness. Alternating therapies can help the lymph fluid flow throughout the body and can push the inflammation away from the injured area. Using hot and cold boots is a convenient way to get both therapies in one piece of equipment and easily transfer from one therapy to the other. A win-win!
Adding in massage and stretching also offers extra healing, protection, and cold therapy. These modalities, and others like them, are great for keeping your horse limber and joints lubricated in between sessions. These methods are also a great way to connect with your horse, keeping you in tune with how their tissues and joints move and where stiffness and pain might reside.
Supplements are another way to enhance a cold therapy routine. Adding supplements that target joints and muscles, as well as ones that promote a healthy lifestyle, is a great way to keep your horse even healthier. Consult with your vet to see what supplements and medications may benefit your horse to complement your cold therapy routine.
Cold therapy has so many benefits to your horse’s life. It can reduce inflammation and swelling, alleviate pain, help accelerate recovery, and lower the risk of reinjury, among other amazing benefits. It’s important to have patience while keeping a keen eye on how your horse is responding to the cold therapy routine to make sure they and you are reaping all the possible benefits. After all, cold therapy can make a huge difference for your horse in this journey to better health.
Incorporating cold therapy routines into your horse care regimen is important for keeping your horse sound, whether a competitor or a friend in the pasture. Our horses mean the world to us, and one way to show them love and care for their well-being is by adding a cold therapy routine to their lives.
