Cold Therapy & Ice Bandages - Treatment For Horse Leg Injuries (2 of 2)
How To Apply Cold Therapy
The best method for applying ice bandages or cold therapy will depend on the type and location of the injury, as well as the materials you have at your disposal.
Ice 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:
- Contact your veterinarian and explain the symptoms and location of the injury.
- Request immediate veterinary help if lameness is severe or the horse resists moving.
- If cold therapy is recommended, begin the initial application as soon as possible.
- The first 24-48 hours are key.
- Use proper leg bandage techniques.
- Position the ice pack without constricting the blood supply to the leg or damaging tendons.
- 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.
- Repeat cold therapy every 4-6 hours within the first day of treatment or as otherwise recommended.
- Use a damp cloth or sheet cotton as a buffer between the ice pack and the horse's skin.
- Chemically activated cold packs may require more layers of fabric to prevent frostbite.
- 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.
- If possible, place a bandage on the area between treatments to help reduce swelling.
- Again, make sure to use proper leg bandaging techniques.
- Get veterinary help if the lameness lasts longer than 1 day without significant improvement.
(Back to... Treatment For Horse Wounds - Cold Therapy Part 1)
Ice Bandage 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 that has enough stretch to 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:
- Increased pain or lameness.
- Discharge from a wound that has a foul odor, unusual color or seems to be excessive.
- Excessive swelling.
- Increased warmth at the injury site.
- Elevated body temperature (100F+ or -1 is considered normal.
- Recumbency - horse spends an abnormal amount of time lying down.
- Lack of appetite or depression.
(Back to... Treatment For Horse Wounds - Cold Therapy Part 1)
Portions reprinted with permission from the American Association of Equine Practitioners.
