The Poultice Problem 

Anonymous Question Numero Uno: When and why do you use poultice? A barn mate uses it on her mare's legs after every ride... but I always thought it was just used on injured horses at the racetrack. She's the only person I know who uses it.

Closely Followed By: What is the proper way to poultice a horses leg?

Ah, poultice. Possibly one of the greatest (and messiest) equine therapies ever created. Generally speaking, poultice is a moistened clay mixture that is applied to a horse's legs after a work out or injury to take down or prevent swelling. Yes, poultice is popular on the racetrack. However, I've seen it used in most disciplines.

It can be used with or without bandaging, and comes in tons of different variations. My personal favorite is Sore No More. But I'm a sucker for all SNM products..

Now to answer the first question-

I personally use poultice under wraps after a particularly strenuous ride, or if I am worried about minor strains after a work. In my world, if a horse takes a 'bad step' while working they generally get poulticed over night.

It is also a wonderful tool for managing inflammation from bowed tendons, bucked shins, splints and repercussions from all the other wonderful misadventures horses often get themselves into.

While I don't poultice my horses after every ride, a boarder with and older gelding that stalks up (non injury related fluid build up in the lower legs) every night will poultice her guy and leave his legs open. His legs are hosed off before turnout and it has managed the problem well... Maybe that's why your barn mate poultices too? Regardless, the cooling of the clay cannot hurt tired legs.

Poultice NoNo's : 

• Poultice, like any topical treatment, can be an allergen and should be tested on a small area on the horse before leaving it on overnight.

• It should never be used over broken skin. While it can be a miracle worker on strains and swellings, clay poultices can great a whole host of complications if put directly over a cut. Think 'rubbing dirt into a wound.' At the end of the day poultice is just fancy mud in a jar.

• Horses may like the way it smells and try to eat it... Especially if there is a lot of menthol in your chosen poultice. If you have a goofball who'd eat anything regardless of it's taste poultice may not be for you...

• If you wish to wrap over the poultice, make sure you have the proper supplies and skills to do so. Improperly applied bandages are dangerous and can and will cause injury to your horses legs.

On to the second question- 

While there are probably hundreds of ways to apply poultice, I will show you my tried and true method in this fancy pants tutorial.

Le Tutorial ~

1. Find a puffy leg attached to your four legged creature of choice and try not to panic. Text vet a pic of injury, if leg is dangling at an unhealthy angle have vet out immediately. Make sure no open wounds are the cause of the swelling. If so this could mean an infection and a whole different protocol is needed to be followed. Try not to cry... Call trainer sniffling and explain that you'll have to cancel your lesson today. If the creature isn't hopping lame;  cold hose the limb, then poultice it, give creature bute, and reassess in the morning.

2. Acquire your poultice of choice. There are literally hundreds of different poultices available on the market, my personal favorite is made by Sore No More.

3. Gather Materials. The poultice has been found, great. Now find a set of standing bandages, pillow wraps and a brown paper savings bag. Standard procedure calls for limbs being treated in pairs. If one hind leg needs to be poulticed, then both will be. I personally prefer pillow bandages over, no bows or quilts. I also use old school flannel bandages instead of nylon standing bandages. (My youngster is a bandage biter, flannel has no stretch and is a tougher material.) 

4. Cut or tare the brown paper into two strips the rough length of your horses leg. Place brown paper in full bucket of water and let soak. You'll come back to them later, I promise. 

5. Take a handful of clay and rub it down the leg evenly going with the hair. Cover the affected area fully. Repeat on opposite limb. Take a second to enjoy the look of your horse with stockings.

6. Retrieve the now throughly soaked brown paper strips. Roll them like a standing bandage and apply them to the limb.

7. Apply a standing bandage over the moist paper. (The wet paper keeps the poultice from drying out thus working longer. It also keeps the poultice from getting all over the pillow bandage. The standing bandage will provide additional compression, protection and support to the injured limb.)

8. Step back and admire your handy work. Wipe hands on creature's blanket if towel is inaccessible.

9. (optional) Force creature wear 'antler ears' in penance for injuring himself and throwing a monkey wrench in your best laid plans. 

You've made that terrible mistake... Believing that you wanted anything to do with horses.

Is it too late to turn tail and run for you life?

If it is, don't panic. I'm here to give you piratical information and advice on what ever your current equine may be.

So go ahead ask me anything. I promise I wont bite... hard.

(All opinions and advice are not a substitute for professional equine health and training specialists. I am not a vet. I am a long time groom, horse owner, competitor and stable manager. )