Do Stable Wraps Overheat Horse Legs?

Are your horse’s legs prone to swelling when stabled for long periods? Stable wraps can reduce swelling by enhancing blood circulation by applying mild compression. Evidence suggests that, unlike during intense exercise, horses at rest in stable wraps are unlikely to experience dangerous heat build-up. To ensure your horse’s legs stay cool and healthy, consider moisture-wicking, breathable materials, designed to keep legs dry and comfortable. Learn the science behind stable wraps, benefits for recovery after exercise, and tips for optimal wrap use to protect your horse’s health.

Evidence of insulating boots for horses’ legs

There is mounting evidence that horse boots and any kind of horse wrap used on a horse’s leg acts as an insulator and heats the legs.  However, this is during extended bouts of exercise so will stable wraps or bandages cause my horses legs to overheat?

At Cryochaps when we have done testing on increased temperature levels inside the Exoskeleton air flow boots it is interesting to note that walk rarely raises temperatures. Trot and canter certainly do raise leg temperatures, but this is not something a stabled horse will be doing. When stabled a horse will not be walking for extended periods, but mostly standing still.

Will stable boots overheat horse legs?

So, if a horse is standing quietly in a stable it is reasonable to say that it is unlikely to cause their legs to overheat. Instead in cold winter months harnessing the infrared radiation by using stablechaps will also help to promote circulation by keeping the extremities warm. The mild pressure applied to the lower leg also has its benefits. Compression therapy supports the circulation to be more effective, pumping blood back up the leg and this will help minimise any swelling if a horse is prone to swollen legs when standing in.

There is a simple test, when you remove the stable boots are the legs sweaty or is there dried sweat marks on the legs? This is when you know that the legs have become very hot whilst the horse is stabled. Or are the legs the same temperature as the rest of the body, check how your horse feels under their rug versus how the leg feels when you take off the stable wrap. They should be similar.

Can I use stable wraps on wet legs?

There are many materials that are used today to help wick water away from the leg. Most of these materials are known as synthetics such as polyester or nylon. These materials act to quickly move moisture to the outside of the material. They also tend to be quick drying. Cotton is a great example of anti-moisture wicking, so the materials stay wet for longer. Stablechaps are made of synthetics, the 3D spacer mesh has brilliant wicking properties making sure your horses legs dry quickly once bandaged. The spacer mesh also helps to provide padding and due to its design, allows air flow through the material which effectively make stable chaps a quick dry stable wrap.

Using stablewraps after exercise

There is growing evidence that compression garments can help recovery after exercise in the human athletes. The evidence behind this is linked to:

Improved blood flow: Compression therapy increases blood flow, which can help with recovery and reduce soreness.

Reduced swelling: Compression therapy can reduce swelling and improve blood flow in veins to help push blood back to the heart. 

Reduced inflammation: Compression therapy can reduce inflammation, which is not seen by the human eye, inflammation is what causes the swelling.

Faster return to performance: Compression therapy has been seen is studies to help athletes return to functional performance faster. 

Using compression therapy in the form of stable wraps after exercise may help your horse recover after an intense bout of exercise. It is important to mention here that the horse must be fully cooled down after exercise and be back to their resting temperature, hosed off, walked off, ice and compression boots used for 10-15 mins. This could be at least 30 mins after intense exercise has stopped. Stable bandages should be applied and not overly tight, you must easily be able to get a finger inside the stable wrap both at the top and bottom. Do not pull straps tight just light pressure applied to do up.