The trail horse – take care of those hard-working legs

 

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Over the years, I have given a lot of “Leg Care” talks at expos, tack stores, barn chats, Pony Club meetings. These talks generally cover the following wonderful topics –

 

 

  • Leg care for exercise and shipping – bandaging, wrapping, boots, polos, protection and WHY.

 

 

  • Weird things you can find on your horse’s legs, like splints.

 

horse walking on a trail with lots of twigs and roots

Here we are billy goating our way through the woods, picking our way through the roots.

 

Do trail horses really need special leg care?

 

  • My answer is simple – in most cases, these horses need more care than the top sport or high-performance horse, for a few reasons!

 

  • Trail horses usually do their jobs on some really uneven terrain. It can vary from deep sand to concrete-like trails covered in rocks. Nothing is level. When the trails are hard, this creates a concussion in the legs. When they are rocky, stone bruises are a real possibility. Deep footing, like sand or mud, strains and stretches the tendons and ligaments. There is a lot of soft tissue being moved around and stretched!

 

horse shadow on gravel driveway

This trail, while level, boasts tons of bruise-producing rocks. Protective boots are your horse’s friend.

 

  • Top athletic sports horses have the highest level of fitness. Many (but not all) of the trail horses and weekend warrior horses maintain a much lower level of fitness. This can put them at greater risk of injury – as their bodies are not conditioned for stress and exercise. Think of it this way. You are a casual runner, and you complete 4 miles on Saturday. On Monday you can barely walk. Your neighbor runs 1 mile, 6 days a week and has no problems walking after running all week.

 

  • Many horses that do not have a regular exercise routine like to participate in shenanigans and tomfoolery during turn out and grazing time. There’s nothing wrong with this – it’s what horses do! Don’t forget, though, that horses spend an awful lot of time trying to injure themselves, and in some cases, the exercise we do with them helps them relax later in the turnout instead of burn calories zipping around.

 

 

horse walking through the creek

It can be a joint and leg challenge to navigate terrain and rocks.

 

  • For older horses, just as in older people, stiffness and arthritis is a common issue. The phrases “motion is lotion” and “use it or lose it” apply here. Without daily movement, many older horses feel worse! Support your older horse’s joints with some great leg care and a suitable exercise program.

 

ice boots from knee to hoof

Ice can help treat all that ails your horse’s legs and hooves. So simple.

 

What’s appropriate leg care for the trail horse? The weekend warrior? The older guy?

 

  • Lots of paying attention. Memorize your horse’s legs. Daily leg inspections for heat, swelling, bugs, cuts, scrapes, scratches, weird new things, splints, you name it! Use cold therapy techniques on your horse’s legs.

 

  • These can easily be done as you are brushing away sweat marks and cleaning tack – it doesn’t need to add tons of time to your routine!

 

Cold therapies reduce inflammation – which causes injuries over time – and have a pain-relieving effect, also.

 

Some great examples of cold therapies for horses:

  • Ice

 

 

  • Cold Hosing – although this is time-consuming and it does use a ton of water. Additionally, the water from a hose is generally not cold enough, but it might be ok in a pinch.

 

  • Cold therapies are appropriate for new injuries, old injuries, and helping to prevent future injuries if used regularly after exercise. Always talk to your veterinarian if you have any questions about how to help your horse stay healthy and sound doing his job! Remember that just because your horse may not go to the Olympics, he still deserves to be pampered just as much.

 

You may also find that warming therapies feel better for your horse, and these types of support include:

 

 

 
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Click these links to shop for horse supplies. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, which are not a penny more for you. I couldn’t be more grateful for your support! You can also visit my Amazon storefront here:  PEG storefront.

The Essential Hoof Book: The Complete Modern Guide to Horse Feet BOOK
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If hooves are your jam, this book is for you. 

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Horse Health Joint Combo Hoof & Coat Supplement 30 Day Supply
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A simple and trusted hoof supplement.

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$80.95

For added squish during laminitis or other painful hoof trauma.

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Magic Cushion Hoof Packing 4LBS
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Hi-quality no-bows with Back On Track reputation (that's good!)

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Eskadron - Tendon Boots PRO Flex Classic Front
$169.00

These boots are the gold standard for jumpers and horses that like to interfere. 

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EasyCare Easyboot Cloud Hoof Boot
$103.95

Support and softness for laminitis and other painful hoof conditions.

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No more bed sores!

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Grand Circuit White Lightning Liquid (64 oz)
$109.87 $101.99

Buy bulk and save! This is great for stubborn hoof infections like seedy toe and thrush.

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Quiessence (Large-14 lbs)
$85.98

This supplement helps high-laminitis risk horses and has calming ingredients like magnesium.

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Professional's Choice Ballistic No-Turn Overreach Bell Boots
$33.99

The gold standard for bell boots in a rainbow of colors.

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Weaver Leather Polo Leg Wraps, 4-Pack, Cactus
$28.69

Be practical when wrapping your horse's legs with a traditional color, but toss in some spice with the understated pattern!

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CENTAUR Double Tab Bell Boots

So bright and fun for hoof protection.

HORZE High-Visibility Reflective Neoprene Protective Horse Boots, Pair
$39.99

Protect your horse's legs and let them shine bright.

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Finish Line Horse Products Fura Free Gel (1 lb)
$19.19

This salve is an alternative to Fura-Zone!

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Cavallo Horse & Rider Sport Regular Sole Hoof Boot
$169.85 $149.51

These boots are my favorite for wrapping hooves with poultice or clay and a diaper. No more duct tape boots! You can also use inserts with these for more squish.

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Cavallo Simple Hoof Boot for Horses, Size 3, Black
$182.93

This style is great to protect the hoof, but is not soft and squishy for laminitis cases.

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Woof Wear Reflective Club Boot - Lime
$42.99

Show off your horse's legs with these safe, reflective, and fashionable boots.

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CHALLENGER Crease Nail Puller Shoe
$42.99

Using this makes shoe removal easy!

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EASYCARE Easyboot Glove Soft Hoof Boot for Horses, Neoprene, Elastic Gaiter, All-Terrain Tread (2)
$93.95 $82.18

These boots are great for protecting barefoot horses.

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Silver Whinnys from Sox For Horses!

Skin protection that can get wet. Use code PEG20 for savings on the Silver Whinnys.

Whinny Wellies from Sox For Horses

Tough, weather-resistant covering for wraps and bandaging.

Silver Bells - Sox For Horses

For hoof protection when equine pastern dermatitis is a risk.

Durasole
$16.40 $14.67
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Handson Ergonomic Hoof Pick
$19.99

This is the strongest hoof pick available!

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EASYCARE Easyboot Glove Soft Hoof Boot for Horses, Neoprene, Elastic Gaiter, All-Terrain Tread (2.5)
$83.97

These are amazing for riding. They take some wrestling to get on, but they will stay on.

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WAHL Professional Animal Bravura Cordless Trimmers
$199.99

This cordless trimmer is powerful and comes with the 5-in-2 blade system for versatility.

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Wahl Professional Animal KMC+ 2-Speed Cordless Clipper Kit
$299.99

This is my favorite clipper - It's great for body clipping, trace clipping, and trimming. Cordless for the win!

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Thank you!

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