Tendon injuries or other leg issues are every horse owner's worst nightmare. Leg injuries are very common and – unfortunately – quite difficult to treat. Because there is little muscle in the lower legs, blood circulation is limited. And that just happens to be a crucial requirement for proper and speedy recovery. Good blood circulation helps remove waste products and brings in oxygen-rich blood, which supports healing and regeneration.
To address this, Horseware introduced the innovative Ice-Vibe Boots. These massage boots stimulate blood flow in the horse’s legs through vibration. You can use them as part of your horse’s daily tendon and joint care, or for treating a stubborn injury.
Read all about it in our blog.
How does it work?
The Ice-Vibe boots contain vibration panels and cold packs, allowing you to combine the benefits of cooling with the effects of massage. The vibrations stimulate blood circulation, enabling oxygen to reach tired and damaged tissue, which contributes to better and faster recovery. This reduces the chance of inflammation and lowers the risk of injury. Additionally, the boots help keep the joints flexible and provide extra care for the muscles. In case of an injury, they also stimulate the lymphatic system, helping to reduce pain and swelling.
Since the boots act as a form of workout, it’s important to allow your horse to gradually get used to them. There are three different settings:
SETTING 1:
This setting is suitable for familiarizing your horse with the Ice-Vibe boots and can also be used during injury rehabilitation. It can be used with or without the cold packs. Setting 1 runs automatically for 10 minutes.
SETTING 2:
This setting delivers more intense vibrations, further promoting blood circulation and is likely the one you’ll use most often. You can also choose to use it with or without the cold packs. It’s especially suitable for warming up — either without cold packs or with heated ones. During saddling, you can apply the boots so that your horse is well warmed up before training. After training, you can use them again, but this time with cold packs for an effective cool down. This setting runs for 20 minutes.
SETTING 3:
This is the most intense setting and is mainly suitable for horses with a lot of (old) scar tissue, wear, or windgalls. Setting 3 can also be used for cooling down with cold packs. This setting also runs for 20 minutes.
Rehabilitation
When it comes to injury, less is always more. The Ice-Vibe boots are extremely suitable for promoting recovery, but always be sure to discuss their use with your veterinarian! Patience is essential when dealing with an injury—your horse must be given the chance to fully heal. Sufficient rest and time remain critical factors in the healing process.
The Ice-Vibe boots should not be used in cases of bone fractures (less than 4 weeks old) or infections, as they may irritate the injury and worsen the condition. We also advise against using the boots if your horse has screws or pins in the leg. If you're unsure whether Ice-Vibe boots are safe for your horse, always consult your veterinarian beforehand.
You can also use the cold packs for heat therapy. Warm them by placing them in warm water—the packs will absorb the water’s temperature after a few minutes. Do not use a microwave, as it may overheat the packs. Is your horse especially stiff at the beginning of training? Then you can use the Ice-Vibe boots before exercise with the warmed-up packs.
The boots are effective for treating:
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Swelling
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Strains and sprains
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Arthritis
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Tendon injuries
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Scar tissue
However, we also strongly recommend incorporating the boots into your daily management routine. Tendon injuries often result from a buildup of small, repeated microtraumas. This kind of wear and tear typically occurs through intense training and competition. To prevent this and properly care for your horse’s tendons and joints, you can use the Ice-Vibe boots daily or several times a week.
