Cryotherapy for Horses

Cryotherapy is a natural therapy utilized in the equine sector to promote recovery, relieve pain, and enhance the well-being of competition and racehorses, as well as those undergoing rehabilitation. Its applications in equine cryotherapy are extensive, ranging from treating common injuries and conditions to supporting maintenance and preventative care.

Cryotherapy emits CO2 gas at -108°F (-78°C) under high pressure of 52 bar (756 psi), cooling the skin surface temperature of the affected area to 39.2°F (4°C) in just 30 seconds. This triggers a series of physiological adaptations that effectively reduce pain and inflammation while increasing blood flow in the targeted region. Cryotherapy enhances the body’s natural recovery processes, enabling the horse to quickly resume its regular training and activities.

It’s widely recognized in the equine sector that cold therapy effectively aids in the recovery of equine injuries. Icing is a common method used to achieve these benefits, typically with ice boots. These boots utilize cold water or ice to lower the horse’s skin surface temperature to about 8°C within 20 minutes, requiring multiple treatments per day.

Research indicates that the speed of temperature reduction is crucial for maximizing the therapeutic benefits of cold therapy. Treatments that can lower skin temperature to 39.2°F (4°C) in just 30 seconds provide a stronger thermic shock response, increasing blood flow to the injured area four times more than ice boots.

Additionally, high-pressure cold treatments allow for deeper penetration into the skin, activating deep receptors like the Pacinian and Ruffini corpuscles, which significantly reduce pain and inflammation. Moreover, shorter treatment times and ergonomic designs make it easier and more practical to treat any area of the horse compared to continuously applying ice packs or using ice boots.

• Improved recovery time
• Significant reductions in inflammation and pain
• Faster and more effective recovery from various injuries, including tendon and ligament injuries, muscle sprains, and joint injuries
• Higher success rates in treating and rehabilitating conditions such as arthritis, tendonitis, dermatitis, torticollis, epicondylitis, bursitis, synovitis, cellulitis, sciatica, and more
• Enhanced healing of bruises, scars, wounds, and sutures
• Increased range of motion and mobility, beneficial for post-surgery recovery and horse rehabilitation
• Controlled swelling and rapid drainage of horse hematomas
• Enhanced performance, with treatments relieving tight and strained muscles before and after racing or training
• Effective long-term pain management for horses, with no negative side effects associated with cryotherapy
• Greater resilience to future injuries and reduced risk of recurrence

Did you know regular cryotherapy treatments are highly beneficial for horses, even when they aren’t injured? This therapy boosts blood circulation, promotes better mobility, and contributes to overall well-being, making it an essential part of preventative care to minimize the risk of injury.