With the competition season well underway, now is prime time to advise customers of the importance of equine leg care, post exercise, specifically with the aim of cooling the horse or pony's limbs.

Why do we use cooling products?

Several studies have shown that the core temperature in the flexor tendons of horses and ponies can increase between 6 and 8^oc after fast exercise - repeated elevations in the temperature of the tendon may lead to breakdown of their associated fibres. Cooling also helps to reduce any inflammation in the equine's limbs caused by injury, for example a knock from a fence.

Top tips

1. Remove leg protection (boots and bandages) immediately after work, to prevent heat build up in the tendons and ligaments.
2. If it is available, use cool, running water as a cold hose treatment after jumping on hard ground, undertaking fast work, or exercising on an excessively hot day.
3. Consider using cool boots or clay or gel-based leg-cooling products. The clay acts as a carrier for volatile substances, whilst the cooling gel products are mostly alcohol-based, and evaporate the heat away, causing a cooling effect. (Advise customers NOT to use bandages over clay products, as this will prevent evaporation from taking place. It is also important that as soon as clay has dried, it is washed off.)

Harpley's Cool Leg Wraps are ideal after heavy exercise, providing cool compression to reduce swelling. The boots fix with comfortable stretch hook and loop straps.