Bid Ice Boots Goodbye
Displaying has by no means been my cup of tea—properly, till these days! My Azteca leaping pony has blossomed throughout the previous 12 months, and I’ve lastly gotten to dabble in regional competitions. However when a weeks-long warmth wave descended on Montana, I knew I wanted to take further steps to maintain my horse cool, comfy, and in a position to restoration rapidly throughout occasions.
After watching a vlog with Eventer Cameron Beer, wherein he used Equi-N-icE’s Reusable Cooling Bandages, I reached out to the corporate. They kindly despatched me two bandages and a bottle of coolant for my subsequent present.
Notice: I’ve already ordered a second full set of bandages and one other bottle coolant alone dime—that’s how a lot I really like these!
Having fun with our first present season collectively
Looking for a Higher Manner
Has anybody else seen how dang costly horse ice boots may be?! As if the price wasn’t sufficient of a deterrent, lugging a large cooler to horse exhibits only for boots—and having them final precisely one use earlier than it’s essential refreeze them—wasn’t interesting.
Plus, conventional ice packs and boots enable excessive chilly temperatures to come back into contact with the leg and might trigger ache or injury to the tissue.
The opposite possibility is liniment and steady wraps, however that’s slower and harder to use. Including thick stovepipe wraps to scorching legs also can really feel…yuck. I maintain returning to test the tightness and ensure they haven’t sagged down the leg, and I’m all the time hesitant to go away them on in a single day.
Standing wraps from my earlier present
I wanted one thing small and easy that I may stick in my present trunk, use in any temperature, and apply in seconds. An excessive amount of to ask?
Preliminary Impressions
The very first thing that struck me in regards to the Equi-N-icE bandages was how compact and light-weight they have been. Two bandages and a bottle of recharge coolant match may simply slot in a small ringside backpack.
Equi-N-icE Secure Pack
Every bandage is available in its personal reusable bag, pre-loaded with coolant and able to use. The Secure Pack features a 500ml bottle of coolant, and the corporate recommends utilizing ~80ml to recharge a bandage.
I took the complete bottle to the present since my buddy was bringing two horses and the forecast was 95+ levels all weekend.
Horse First
Maintaining our horses comfy and wholesome is all the time our prime precedence. We parked the trailer in a spot the place the horses may get pleasure from a little bit of shade and full breeze. We additionally introduced a full water tank from residence so that they’d be extra more likely to drink it all through the weekend.
Jax and I did two leaping lessons the primary day, together with a warmup session within the facility’s shaded indoor area. As soon as we completed our rounds, it was again to the trailer for a protracted drink of water. (Good boy!)
I pulled off his tack and open-front leaping boots. He was fairly sweaty below the saddle, however his respiration was already again to regular. He was pleased to munch hay and hang around together with his buddy Teddy whereas I fetched the Equi-N-icE bandages.
A really sweaty Jax after two leap lessons
Effectiveness in Excessive Warmth
By the point I utilized the bandages, it was above 90 levels. Utilizing these bandages in such excessive warmth could be a real check of their effectiveness.
Not like conventional ice boots that require refrigeration and are cumbersome, Equi-N-icE bandages have been able to go proper out of the resealable pouch.
I wrapped the primary bandage round Jax’s entrance left leg, simply as I’d a polo wrap or standing wrap. A velcro-type strap on the prime secured the bandage.
The blue strap helps maintain wraps in place
The corporate recommends overlapping the bandage by not more than a 3rd, in order that’s one thing I may enhance subsequent time. However the course of was tremendous straightforward and took lower than one minute!
As quickly because the bandages have been on, I may really feel the moment cooling take impact.
I used to be completely impressed by how fast-acting and efficient they have been. The bandages pulled warmth away from his legs rapidly, with out the majority of standing wraps or ice boots.
It was so comforting to know that, inside only a few minutes, I may assist Jax’s restoration by drawing warmth away, relatively than forcing chilly in (as ice packs do).
In seconds, his legs have been cooling!
Recharge & Reuse
Present days are busy, and I cherished with the ability to safely depart Jax in his cooling bandages whereas I helped my buddy tack up and present her pony.
As quickly as she completed her lessons, we moved the wraps to Teddy’s legs. It solely took a pair minutes to unwrap Jax, roll up the wraps, pour Recharge Coolant over them of their pouches, then wrap them round Teddy’s legs.
Better of all, Jax’s legs felt good after I eliminated the wraps—zero puffiness or warmth. Magic!
Step-by-step instructions for making use of the bandages:
Take the bandage out of the resealable pouch.
Squeeze extra fluid again into the pouch, bandage ought to be damp not dripping moist.
Securely wrap bandage across the leg, following correct wrapping process.
Don’t overlap the bandage by greater than a 3rd or it’ll cut back the coolant’s potential to evaporate.
Fasten the bandage with the self grip strap.
For finest outcomes, depart the bandage on for no less than 20 minutes.
After use, observe these steps:
Take away the bandage, roll up, and substitute into resealable pouch.
Add 80ml of recharge coolant.
Seal the pouch and shake briefly.
The bandage is now prepared for its subsequent use.
These bandages are coming to EVERY present with me
Medical Validation
The effectiveness of Equi-N-icE isn’t simply anecdotal both. Medical trials have demonstrated a dramatic enchancment in ache administration and mobility in comparison with conventional cryotherapies.
The bandages draw warmth away by way of evaporation, guaranteeing that the therapy space is cooled safely with out the chance of tissue injury.
The handled space will drop by 10-15°C and keep that method for as much as 2-3 hours.
Earlier than and after software — WAY cooler
Equi-N-icE bandages are designed to keep away from the dangers related to ice remedy, comparable to frostbite and nerve injury from over-exposure to excessive chilly. Listed below are some key advantages:
Prompt Chilly Therapy: The bandages decrease the temperature of the handled space by 10 to fifteen°C inside 20 minutes, which is essential for managing ache and irritation.
Ease of Utility: Even for awkward areas like knees and hocks, the bandages are easy to use. They keep chilly for as much as two hours, offering sustained reduction while not having fixed consideration.
No Refrigeration Wanted: This function is a big benefit, particularly whenever you’re on the go. The bandages can be utilized anytime, anyplace.
Reusable and Price-Efficient: After use, merely roll up the bandage, place it again within the pouch, add 80ml of recharge coolant, and it’s prepared for the subsequent software.
No freezer required—that is all you want
Equi-N-icE Saves the Day
Throughout a single present, the practicality of Equi-N-icE bandages turned evident. Not solely did they supply instant reduction to my very own pony, however additionally they helped pace up restoration time for 2 of my buddy’s horses.
When Teddy completed leaping, we got here again to get her different horse Bruce tacked up. He had in some way scraped his leg within the trailer (ugh, horses) and it was already getting puffy. Equi-N-icE to the rescue!
I steered we wrap his lower leg with the cooling bandage for 20 minutes whereas we bought him prepared. We pulled the bandages off Teddy, recharged them with coolant, and instantly wrapped Bruce’s leg.
Even that quick period of time did wonders—the puffiness went down, the lower regarded higher, and he was sound as a pound the whole present.
The instant reusability makes them a cheap answer for ongoing care.
Key Takeaways
As I alluded to up prime, I’ve already ordered two bandages for a present, 4 extra for myself, and a Recharge Coolant refill. These merchandise at the moment are a staple of my present package!
My favourite issues:
Quick: Prepping, wrapping, and recharging the bandages is tremendous quick. I can get my horse’s legs cooling inside a minute..
Straightforward: I can wrap legs pretty properly, however I all the time fear I’ll mess one thing up. These bandages are really easy to do “proper” that I by no means wasted a second worrying.
Reusable: With a fast sprint of coolant, these wraps are prepared to return to work. That is particularly helpful in case you’re exhibiting with associates and need to assist their horses get better, too.
Protected: I don’t need ice touching my horse’s pores and skin, and these wraps are the proper different. Plus, the bandages don’t get too tight or sag as they dry.
Moveable: No big cooler, no baggage of ice—only a small bottle of room temperature coolant and the wraps. I tossed them in my bucket of horse care provides for packing, and I also can pop them into my backpack at exhibits.
Meals for Thought:
Sticky Strap: The blue strap that secures the top of the wrap is kind of lengthy—no less than on a 14.1hh pony.
Cloth Sturdiness: I really like the mesh-like high quality of the bandage, by way of I fear it could be straightforward to snag and rip.
Wrap Colour: Would love a non-white possibility so filth is much less seen.
U.S. Distributor: It’d be nice to have these extra available for US riders vs. transport abroad.
Cool, comfortable, and pleased to be right here!
Continuously Requested Questions
Q: Are Equi-N-icE and Equinice the identical factor?
They certain are! Whereas the official title of the product line is Equi-N-icE, some retailers use “Equinice” for simplicity’s sake.
Q: Is Equi-N-icE competitors secure?
Nice query, and fortuitously the reply is YES! Horses who’ve had Equi-N-icE utilized have been persistently blood and urine examined while utilizing the product below British Jockey Membership guidelines.
Q: Can you employ Equi-N-icE coolant with any bandage?
Equi-N-icE bandages are produced from particular 100% undyed cotton with its personal pure elasticity, so compression can safely be utilized throughout wrapping.
Do NOT use different bandages which have elasticity in them as they might tighten and injury legs once they dry.
Q: Are you able to safely depart the wraps on greater than two hours?
Not like different cooling merchandise in the marketplace, Equi-N-icE will finally dry out and may be safely left on for assist in a single day.
Q: Are you able to cowl an Equi-N-icE bandage?
As a result of Equi-N-icE works by speedy evaporation, protecting them will cut back the cooling impact.
Q: Are Equi-N-icE bandages washable?
Sure! Wash it like every regular cotton bandage—in a heat wash then line dry.
Parting Ideas
Equi-N-icE’s Reusable Cooling Bandage is a revolutionary product that has genuinely impressed me. Its distinctive cooling system, ease of use, and medical validation make it an indispensable software for each equestrian.
Having used them in excessive warmth circumstances and seen their instant impact, I can confidently say that Equi-N-icE has created a product that each horse proprietor and coach ought to take into account including to their first help and present package. The comfort, effectiveness, and security of those bandages make them an excellent funding in your horse’s well being and well-being!
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