Your horse's legs work hard every day. They do not only have to bear the weight of the horse, but also the weight of the rider. In training or on demanding ground, they are put under additional strain. Healthy horse legs are a prerequisite for this. In order to maintain them, promote recovery and, in an emergency, provide first aid for swellings, various liniments and especially acetic clay for horses are suitable.
Liniments such as acetic clay have a cooling effect on the horse's sensitive legs. The clay paste for horses can be used for bruises, swelling, and inflammations or simply as a preventive measure after a hard workout. The clay for horses promotes recovery of the horse's heavily stressed legs and is effective against swelling. The clear advantage of clay is that it is a natural alternative to conventional cooling gels. The effect of clay is based on a very simple principle: Through the evaporation of the water contained in the clay, the healing clay cools down the horse's leg in a very natural way. Therefore, clay should not be missing from any horse first aid box.
You can prepare the clay paste yourself by mixing the appropriate clay powder for horses with water. However, it is easier to buy clay paste for horses. The so-called healing clay can be applied directly to the affected area. Let the clay paste dry and brush it off when it is completely dry. It is important that the clay is not applied to open wounds. As the clay dries, it draws fluid from the affected tissue, creating a cooling effect. This process reduces the swelling. In addition to the classic healing clay, there is also clay with arnica for horses. The anti-swelling, anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effect of arnica also helps to regenerate the tissue. Clay with arnica has proven particularly effective in the external treatment of blunt injuries. But acetic clay is also used on horses for acute tendonitis.
Anyone who has horses is also familiar with thick legs. Many horses suffer from swollen and thick legs after long journeys, strong rises in temperature, during the change of coat, after minor bruises, or after heavy exertion. Acute swellings without open wounds can usually be easily managed by the horse itself. The first step is always to cool the horse's leg. This is best done with cool water. As a second step and longer-lasting cooling, various liniments for horses can be used. They usually have a cooling and decongestant effect, but also promote circulation. However, if swelling does not cool down the affected leg, if the swelling spreads further or does not disappear within a few days, the veterinarian should be consulted. The same applies to open wounds, which you should wash carefully, then clean with horse disinfectants and contact your vet.
But it is not only in the case of visible changes in the horse's leg that liniment for horses makes sense. Rubbing the horse's tired legs with a horse balm specially developed for them can provide rest and recovery for the stressed legs after an intensive workout. They promote blood circulation, reduce stress symptoms and promote regeneration after a strenuous workout.
Discover various liniments and acetic clay for horses from strong brands such as Leovet, Pharmacare, Vet Cellect and many more at Horze.
