Stablechaps
Stablechaps: the recovery compression wrap that may help keep your horse at the top of their game and generally provide comfort to tired legs. Stable wraps are used to prevent swelling, aid circulation and provide warmth and protection, as well as helping recovery after exercise.
Swelling
Horses are liable to lower limb swelling if they are standing for long periods when stabled, or travelling, or after injury. One of the reasons for poor circulation in the lower leg is the lack of muscles. Lymphatic flow is usually driven by muscle contractions, hence why horses legs are so predisposed to leg swelling. Compression therapy stable wraps provide gentle pressure to help support the circulation and lymphatic drainage.
Along with compression the stablechaps harness the infrared radiation from the leg, warming the leg and these two actions together prevent and reduce swelling.
Recovery
Research suggests that compression supports exercise recovery.
Stablechaps provide compression therapy, the ways that compression can improve recovery are found below.
- Revitalize blood flow by stimulating both venous and arterial blood flow
- Improving venous blood flow accelerates the removal of metabolic waste products after exercise
- Improving arterial blood flow increases oxygen delivery to the tissues
- Limits oedema (swelling)
- Promotes lymphatic circulation
If your horse has been working hard, we recommend the use of compression therapy wraps, to support those legs for post exercise recovery.
We know that stable bandages are one of the best for uniform compression to limit swelling, yet they are fiddly and time consuming to put on, especially when you have multiple horses that need to be wrapped every day. The re-rolling takes forever too! Many stable boots or stable wraps do not provide uniform compression like a bandage would. This is why Stablechaps are your go to compression therapy wrap, easy to apply, remove, wash and provide a consistent level of pressure throughout the length of the stable boot.
Harnessing the power of infrared
Stablechaps will harness the power of Infrared, which is radiated heat. Your horse will radiate heat and you can see this by using an infrared camera. Infrared (IR) materials are materials that can transmit, reflect, or absorb infrared. Simple tests with a thermal camera with Stablechaps show they’re excellent at holding in heat by trapping the body heat. However, the horses body heat will eventually warm through the material and the heat begins to escape. Hence why they will not overeat legs but maintain your legs at body temperature.
Infrared heat is known for its ability to promote blood flow, relax muscles, and support healing, which is why it’s often used in therapeutic settings, like specialized wraps for horses. In horses, infrared warmth can help improve circulation and maintain joint and tissue health, especially in colder conditions.
Key Precautions
Proper Technique: It’s crucial that stable wraps are applied correctly, with even pressure and not too tight, as improper wrapping can cause circulation problems, pressure sores, or tendon damage. Make sure you can easily get a finger in both top and bottom of the wrap.
Monitoring: Horses with compression wraps should be monitored closely to ensure no signs of discomfort, such as pawing the ground
By providing controlled support and reducing the risk of further injury, compression wraps play a vital role in maintaining a horse’s leg health and managing recovery from various conditions, including everyday exercise. Depending on the indication and intended use for Stable chaps, if there is a medical condition involved always discuss this with your vet.