Hot / Cold Packs

When a horse injures a leg, many times the first - and best – course of action is to cool the area as quickly as possible using cold packs (ice) or very cold water. Your immediate goal is to try to reduce inflammation and swelling in order to minimize tissue damage and speed healing. Ice slows the inflammatory process while other treatments such as medications can begin to take effect.

Care must be taken, however, whenever cold therapy is applied to a limb, as cold packs used incorrectly or applied for too long can potentially damage the skin and underlying tissue.

To maximize the therapeutic benefits of ice or cold therapy, follow your veterinarian’s instructions exactly.

Browse the hot and cold pack products we have available, or scroll to the bottom of the page for more information on cold therapy. 

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Equifit GelCompression Hot/Cold Therapy

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TendonPak with Elastic Wrap

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Ice+ Replacement Packs

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Deep Heat by Ice Horse

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Ice Horse Tendon Wraps

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Evendura Cold Packs

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Ice Horse Big Black Boot

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Ice Horse Hock Wrap

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Ice Horse Knee to Ankle Wrap

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Ice Horse Two Leg Continuous Cooling Therapy System

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Stifle Wrap

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Full Hind Leg Wrap

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THE TECHNOLOGY: How to Use Ice Horse Packs

COLD THERAPY
When First+Ice inserts freeze, small ice crystals form around the soft polymer granules (these granules are made of a patented chemical formulation). When fully-frozen, the pack is filled with these small ice crystals which are malleable and conform to the horse's body part as you apply the the wrap and insert. 

As the pack freezes and the ice crystals form, the pack expands slightly and needs to draw in air through the patented insert/bag vent. The vent is designed to resist liquid flow into or out of the insert. 

The presence of ice in the insert or bag extends the cold time while the granules provide conformability and comfort to the horse's body part and eliminates the burning sensation associated with raw ice. 

The First+Ice inserts contained in the insulated Ice Horse leg and hoof wraps can stay cold for up to two hours. Once removed from the wraps after treatment, the inserts should be returned to the refrigerator freezer to be re-frozen. These inserts can be used up to 50 times in most cases. 

After extensive use the inserts become chunky - this is how you know when it's time to replace them. 

DIRECTIONS 

The Product
*Store the FIRST+ICE packages in your home or stable refrigerator freezer chamber.*Remove just before you plan to use. Store in a thermal container.

The Horse
*Cross-tie the horse in a stall or wash rack. Wet down the horse's leg(s) with a sponge.

The Leg Wrap (Boot)
*Use four FIRST+ICE packs for each leg wrap applied to the horse's leg(s).
*Massage the FIRST+ICE pack to loosen the beads of ice cold relief.
*Apply the boots to the treatment area of the leg and secure with the three straps.
*After use, the FIRST+ICE insert packs can be wiped down with a damp cloth and returned to the freezer. Store the boot separately in a dry place.

FOR HOT COMPRESS USE

BOILING provides best heating effectiveness. Bring pan of water to boil. Remove from heat. Place inserts in pan for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove insert from pan. Wrap insert in a light towel. Place in the Ice Horse wrap. 

MICROWAVE: Place insert in microwaveable container and cover completely with water. Never heat without covering the insert with water. Place container in microwave. Heat at full power for three (3) minutes (time is based on 600 watt microwave oven). After heating, remove insert from water. Wrap insert in towel or leg or hock wrap, then place on horse's injury. If additional heat is required, heat in 30 second intervals. 

How Cold packs or Ice Can Help
Applying ice or cold therapy can improve a variety of tendon, joint, muscle and other soft tissue injuries by decreasing blood flow to the damaged area and slowing the metabolism of the surrounding tissue so it is less likely to suffer damage from swelling and constriction. Cold therapy helps to:
- Reduce Inflammation
- Reduce Swelling
- Dissipate Heat
- Alleviate Pain
- Slow Bleeding

Applying Cold packs or Ice 
The best method for applying ice or cold therapy will depend on the type and location of the injury, as well as the materials you have at your disposal.
Cold packs may be either rigid or flexible depending on their contents. You will need to determine what works best for the area you are treating.
You can make an ice pack using a resealable plastic bag to hold slab or crushed ice. Crushed ice releases its cooling properties more quickly and the pack will conform more readily to the shape of the limb. A bag of frozen vegetables (such as peas & corn) is also a convenient and ready-made ice pack. Chemical ice packs such as the "blue ice" commonly used in picnic coolers also work well. Commercial ice bandages designed for specific parts of the horse’s leg are also available.
There are also special chemical pouches that produce a rapid freezing reaction when activated. Chemical ice packs are especially useful additions to first aid kits.
Another option for lower limbs is to use a bucket or ice boot filled with ice water. Running cold water over the injury site with a hose is also a convenient way to reduce heat and swelling at the injury site.
General Recommendations
1. Contact your veterinarian and explain the symptoms and location of the injury.
2. Request immediate veterinary help if lameness is severe or the horse resists moving.
3. If cold therapy is recommended, begin the initial application as soon as possible. The first 24-48 hours are key.
4. Use proper leg bandage techniques so you can position the cold pack without constricting the blood supply to the leg or damaging tendons.
5. Apply ice for approximately 5 minutes at a time, but no more than 10-15 minutes. A rule of thumb is 5 minutes on, 15 minutes off until heat and swelling are perceptibly reduced.
6. Repeat cold therapy every 4-6 hours within the first day of treatment or as otherwise recommended by your veterinarian.
7. Use a damp cloth or sheet cotton as a buffer between the ice pack and the horse’s skin to protect the tissue and dissipate the cold.
8. Chemically activated cold packs may require more layers of fabric to buffer the skin and prevent frostbite.
9. Do not place ice directly against the skin if there is an open wound. Utilize several layers of cotton gauze to protect tissue and absorb fluids. 
10. If possible, place a bandage on the area between treatments to prolong the benefits and help reduce swelling. Again, make sure to use proper leg bandaging techniques.
11.Get veterinary help if the lameness lasts longer than 1 day without significant improvement.

Bandaging Guidelines 
When applying an ice bandage, although the bandage will be in place for only short period of time, it is still important to follow these safety guidelines.
- Place a cloth between the ice pack and the skin.
- Use gauze or a bandaging material such as 3M Vetrap Bandaging Tape that has enough strength, stretch and cohesion to conform to the leg and hold the ice pack in place.
- Wrap in a spiral pattern, overlapping layers with smooth, uniform pressure.
- Be careful not to bandage the leg too tightly or create any pressure points. Some veterinarians recommend wrapping from front to back, outside to inside-counterclockwise for left legs, clockwise for right legs-to prevent tendons from being pulled outward from the cannon bone and vessels, and to reduce the likelihood of constriction. While your horse is recovering, pay close attention to its progress. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you observe any of the following:

1. Increased pain or lameness.
2. Discharge from a wound that has a foul odor, unusual color or seems to be excessive.
3. Excessive swelling.
4. Increased warmth at the injury site.
5. Elevated body temperature (100F+ or –1 is considered normal.
6. Recumbency - horse spends an abnormal amount of time lying down.
7. Lack of appetite or depression.

Talk with Your Veterinarian If you have questions or concerns, your equine veterinarian will be your greatest asset. Do not hesitate to call. He or she can address problems that need to be handled or alleviate any unnecessary worry. It is a health care partnership, with your horse’s well being at the heart of it. 

This information was produced through a joint venture between 3M Animal Care Products and the American Association of Equine Practitioners.