What is Cold Therapy and How Does it Benefit Horses

What is Cold Therapy for Horses

Cold therapy, also called equine cryotherapy, is the act of using cold water, ice, or other frozen/cold methods to prevent and treat injury. It is an ancient therapeutic method dating back to the Greeks and Romans. It’s so popular that even we use it for our own aches and pains! We use cold therapy to heal and protect horses’ hooves, fetlocks, hocks, pasterns, backs, hips, and more.

The cold works by stimulating the body to increase blood flow and circulation. Cold drives blood toward your horse’s core, making the blood freshly oxygenated in the process. Then, the rich blood is redistributed back to the affected areas. The freshly oxygenated blood has natural chemicals that destroy dead cells and bring white blood cells to the affected area, ready to combat infection and slow inflammation.

Cold also prevents swelling when the blood returns to the core: Lower temperatures constrict blood flow, meaning that extra fluid rushing to the site of an injury doesn’t have the normal blood flow to carry it to the injury. In addition, cold triggers the brain to “forget” the pain, making your horse more comfortable.

The Different Forms of Cold Therapy

There are several ways to apply cold therapy, from a simple cold hose to cryotherapy. Whatever method you use, the goal is the same: lower the temperature of the affected tissues. Be sure that whatever method you use to target a temperature of 50F to 59F, and be aware of the length of time each form of cold therapy targets.

Cold Hosing and Soaking

The most common cold therapy methods are cold hosing and soaking. Run a stream of cold water from the hose directly onto the affected area for hosing. This method is recommended for 15 to 30 minutes at a time. If your horse will stand in a bucket, the method of soaking the injury might be a good option. Grab a bucket (and a towel, optionally, to give your horse secure footing), encourage your horse to put their foot in, and add water and ice just above the affected area. Add ice during the therapy session as needed. Rock salt can lower the ice bath's temperature further, though keep an eye on the temperature to ensure it doesn’t get too cold. This method should be no more than 15 to 20 minutes.

Wraps and Ice Packs

For horses that find standing still while you hose or stand in a bucket stressful, ice boots are an excellent option. These wraps allow ice packs or ice to be added in pockets, where the cold can target the injury while their skin stays dry. This method is best for up to 30 minutes.

Cyrotherapy

For more high-tech ways to apply cold therapy to your horse, saltwater “spas” and compression boots with continuously circulating fluids are a great option, especially if you have many horses that can benefit from them.

The Benefits of Cold Therapy for Horses

Cold therapy is a time-tested way to prevent and resolve injuries. There are a lot of great benefits, including:

• Reduction of inflammation and swelling by restricting blood flow to the affected area.

• Alleviation of pain and discomfort by decreasing how quickly pain sensation travels through the nerves.

• Accelerated recovery from injuries and strenuous exercise by causing the blood to return to your horse’s core, which makes the blood return to the area richly oxygenated.

• Prevention of heat-related ailments during hot weather, such as heat in tendons, ligaments, and joints, can create cellular damage.

• Soothes bruising and hemorrhaging by reducing the blood flow to an injury.

• Can help soothe and prevent laminitis.

• Cold temperatures during icing can help your horse’s heart return to a faster resting heart rate.

• Prevents tissue death and lowers the risk of re-injury because of the low cellular metabolism that occurs with cold.