Equine Health

Lameness

Poultices and Linaments

Poultices or liniments can be applied to the skin of the horse for many different reasons.  Sometimes the application contains an anti-inflammatory or steroid and is used to decrease inflammation, as in treatment for a bowed tendon.  Other times a poultice or liniment can be used to treat muscle soreness or stiffness and therefore aid in pain relief and encourage movement. 

Whatever the reason for applying any sort of “goo” to your horses leg, the important thing to realize is that some substances, although they may produce the desired effect on the tissue below, can be extremely irritating to the dermis (skin).  Some ointments that we have seen applied have set up such a severe skin reaction that the skin and tissue below has become irrevocably scarred and damaged. 

To avoid such a disaster, always check to make sure what you are putting on the horse will not burn, scar or damage the skin.  Never use a nonporous or non-breathable wrap over the area that the poultice was applied to unless directed to do so by your veterinarian. Any ointment that is applied to “warm up” a muscle should be rinsed off after the horse has been ridden. 

One product we would like to recommend is Biofreeze cryotherapy. This is a unique gel that has been formulated to provide a variety of benefits for therapy, pain relief, exercise/training aid, etc. by a botanical chemist. Although designed for use in humans, we have had good results with this product in horses. Owners can learn more about this product on the company website at www.biofreeze.com.  Remember, regardless of what product you use, always try a small amount as a test patch on your horse’s skin first to prevent a large skin reaction in case your horse is sensitive to the product you chose.