Best Ice Boots For Horses (A Buyer's Guide)
There are several user-friendly ice boots on the market, and in this ultimate guide to the best ice boots for horses, we review a selection of these to help you find the right one.
All horse owners and trainers should invest in a set of ice boots to treat horse injuries, speed up recovery, and for ongoing regular treatment of leg fatigue.
Icing your horse’s legs during the first 48 hours post-injury will greatly reduce inflammation. Regular cold therapy will also assist with recovery from older injuries and after strenuous activity.
In addition to our review of 8 of the best ice boots available, we provide a buyer’s guide packed with important information to consider when you make your purchase.
Top 8 Ice Boots For Horses (Our Review)
Horseware Ice-Vibe Boots (Best Overall)
- Horseware Ice-Vibe Boots
These full-legit boots are portable massage boots that can be used for heat therapy, or with ice packs for cold circulation treatments, before and after exercise.
The massage effect of Ice-Vibe ice boots assists in rehabilitation post-injury by encouraging movement of the lymphatic system, draining inflammation, and stimulating repair to damaged soft tissues in your horse’s legs.
Using these boots before exercise can prevent injury by increasing blood flow to the tendons and
ligaments, thereby increasing their elasticity. Daily use reduces the incidence of issues with the joints.
The Ice-Vibe boots have 3 settings. Setting 1 is a 10-min cycle that accustoms your horse to the boots’ vibration effect. Use setting 1 for the first 3 days, and then progress to settings 2 and 3.
Ice-Vibe boots are suitable for both the front and hind legs and are incredibly easy to use. Freeze the ice packs while charging up the boots. The ice packs are ready to use after 2 hours in a freezer, and the ice boots are fully charged in 4 hours.
The cold packs are labeled to ensure that you insert them correctly. Wrap the ice boots around the affected legs, and place the ice boots over them. See that the slit in the ice pack covers the front of the fetlocks, and the flat side of the vibrating panels sits against your horse’s leg.
The power panel is contained at the top of each ice boot. Plug the power cord into the slot at the top of the boots.
This product includes 2 ice boots, 2 ice packs, 2 power panels, and 1 charger. It is not a budget-friendly product, but with all you’re getting, it’s well worth the investment.
Pros
- Useful for post-injury rehabilitation
- Can be used daily as a preventive measure
- Suitable for both warm and cold therapy
Cons
- Very expensive
Professional’s Choice Ice Boot (Best Large Ice Boot)
- Professional's Choice
- Ice Boots
- Cold Therapy
- Large Size
- Neoprene Exterior
Professional’s Choice Ice Boots have a neoprene outer shell that insulates the frozen gel packs, thus helping these ice boots stay cold for longer. The smooth nylon lining prevents debris from sticking to the boots and avoids direct skin contact with the ice.
These boots can be used on your horse’s front or hind legs, and are easy to apply to your horse’s legs with the help of extended hook and loop straps. To activate the ice boots, place them in a freezer.
This product carries a 30-day money-back guarantee/6-Month warranty.
Measurements: Standard size: 13 3/4″ x 15″. Large: 17″ x 17″.
The standard size has 3 hook and loop straps, while the large size has 4. This set of two ice boots comes with a mesh carrying bag.
The Horse Ice Boot is a more affordable option if you only need one basic ice boot.
Pros
- Neoprene insulating material keeps cold colder for longer
- No direct skin contact with ice packs
- Can be used on both front and hind legs
- Available in 2 sizes
- Includes mesh carrying bag
Cons
- Pricier than similar products in this category
Classic Rope Company Ice Boots (Best Size Variation)
- Makes icing a horse’s legs for injury or recovery a fast, easy process
- Removable incapsulated gel ice pack hook-and-loops in and out of the boot for easy on/off application
- Neoprene shell acts as an insulator to keep the ice pack cold
- Set of 2
This set of 2 equine ice boots contains a removable gel ice-pack in a neoprene shell. They are available in 4 sizes.
Helps your horse recover from a leg injury quickly. The removable encapsulated gel ice-pack attaches to the inside of these horse ice boots quickly and simply with hooks and loops. Neoprene exterior insulates the boot, allowing the ice pack to stay cold.
It’s a bit pricey, but what’s useful here is that the gel ice pack is removable so you don’t need to place the whole ice boot in your freezer. Also great that it comes in 4 sizes, as you may want to use it for more than one horse.
Pros
- Gel packs are easily attached and removed from the inside of the ice boot
- Neoprene exterior provides insulation
- Available in 4 sizes
- Set of 2 boots with a removable ice pack
Cons
- Not budget-friendly
Professionals Choice Equine 6- Pocket Ice Boot (Best Universal Sized Ice Boot)
- Professional s Choice
- Six inner elastic pockets
- Five hook and loop fasteners
- Black
- Sold in pairs
The Professional’s Choice 6-Pocket Ice Boot is suitable for cold therapy from just under the horse’s knee or hock down to the pastern. It features 6 inner elastic pockets for gel packs and 5 hook fasteners.
This product is covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee/6-month warranty. The 6-pocket horse ice boot is sold in pairs and is available in black only.
Like the Classic Rope Company Ice Boot, it’s not exactly cheap. The Horze Pro is a cheaper alternative, and the all-in-one Tough 1 will do the job for a third of the price and is a very durable product.
Pros
- Suitable for cold therapy on a horse’s lower leg
- 6 inner pockets for frozen gel packs
- 5 hook fasteners
- Sold in pairs
Cons
- Expensive, not great value for what you get
Gloglow Ice Boot (Best High Quality)
This large-sized ice pack for horses with insulated gel packs measures 16.5” x17.3” and is large enough to cover your horse’s entire leg, providing maximum coverage for ice therapy.
The oxford cloth easily wraps around the leg and is attached quickly and easily with 4 hooks and loops.
Great for cooling down your horse’s legs and minimizing swelling after strenuous exercise, as well as treating arthritic joints or sprains and similar injuries.
Gloglow supplies a 1-year warranty on this product, with 30-days money-back guarantee. Their excellent customer service includes email support available 24/7. This sets it apart from most of the other ice boots we reviewed.
Pros
- Fits the entire horse leg
- High-quality Oxford cloth
- Easily attached and removed
- 1-year warranty
- Customer service includes 24/7 email support
Cons
- 1-piece only
Horze Pro Cooling Therapy Ice Wrap For Horses (Best Mid-Range Priced Ice Boot)
Each ice wrap contains 24 gel packs that can be frozen and used to reduce leg pain and swelling caused by inflammation after strenuous exercise or an injury.
The gel pouches remain soft and comfortable even when frozen, and when inserted into the ice wrap, can offer cold therapy to different parts of your horse’s legs.
The wrap is made of durable nylon that will be long-lasting, saving you money long term.
Measuring 16.5″ x 15.5″ these ice wraps will fit most horses’ legs, and are easily adjusted with the hook-and-loop velcro straps.
Mid-range priced for those on a budget, yet it offers the features that you’d be paying far more for with the Professional’s choice 6-pocket. A drawstring mesh carry bag is included for transporting or storing this product.
Pros
- 24 gel packs
- Can be used on different parts of your horse’s legs
- Durable nylon wrap
- One size fits all
- Mesh storage bag included
Cons
- Some users find it too tall for the canon bone area
- Definitely use a layer of cloth between this product, it gets too cold for very sensitive horses.
Tough 1 Ice Boot (Best All-In-One Ice Boot)
- Easy and fast way to apply cold therapy
- 4 "quick-grip" straps let you determine the amount of compression applied to the leg
- Great for treating arthritic joints
- Heavy denier nylon shell
- Stays soft when frozen allowing it to conform to the horse's leg
With the Tough 1 Ice Boot, cold therapy is quick and easy. The gel that freezes is contained within the nylon fabric structure. Freeze the whole boot and apply to the horse’s leg.
This product has a heavy-denier nylon shell that remains soft when frozen, allowing it to conform to the shape of your horse’s leg. It is designed to fit the lower leg or over the hock.
This product is useful for treating arthritic joint pain, soft tissue injuries, and sprained ligaments. Simply adjust the amount of compression applied to the leg with 4 quick-grip straps.
Keep frozen between uses for the best results. This product is very reasonably priced, which is great news if you are working to a budget. Users have commented how it stays pliable even when frozen and is easy to use. For the price, you just can’t beat it.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Heavy-denier nylon shell for durability
- Remains soft when frozen
- 4 quick-grip straps for adjusting the compression
Cons
- Only 1 all-in-one “boot”, no removable inserts
Horse Ice Pack – Cooling Leg Wraps for Hock, Ankle, Knee, Legs, Boots, and Hooves (Best Budget)
This ice pack is designed to treat soft tissue-related injuries, reducing pain and swelling. Also useful for arthritic pain, and sprains caused by strenuous exercise.
This product covers 16” and attaches around the leg with velcro straps. It’s an attractive product and folds into a convenient pouch.
This is the ideal alternative to cold hosing and alleviates the pain associated with acute impact-related injuries, joint swelling, and swollen hocks.
Simply pop into a freezer in the bag provided, and leave until frozen. Remove when ready and secure the ice pack around your horse’s leg using the elastic fasteners.
This ice pack will stay soft and flexible even when frozen, allowing it to easily conform to your horse’s leg. A layer of fabric between the ice pack and your horse’s skin is advised.
Great for your budget, as it is very affordable. More good news, the outer shell consists of a thick synthetic material that is tough and durable and should last for at least 3 years of regular use.
However, it is only 1 ice boot, so if you need to treat two of your horse’s legs or have issues with multiple horses, this could work out quite expensive.
Pros
- One size fits all
- Covers 16”
- Stays soft when frozen
- Durable material
Cons
- Only 1 ice boot, no removable inserts
Ice Boots For Horses Buyer’s Guide
What Are The Different Types Of Ice Boots?
There are many different ice boots for horses available on the market. Single boots, boots sold in pairs, all-in-one ice-wraps, and boots with removable inserts.
You may prefer those with removable inserts if you don’t have much freezer space. Price is another consideration, as there is a vast difference in prices. Look at your horse’s needs, as well as your budget, prior to making a choice.
Why Your Horse Needs Ice Boots
Post Injury
When an ice boot is applied to your horse’s leg to treat injuries during the acute stage, it helps to reduce inflammation that results from an underlying tissue injury. The cold causes the blood vessels in the leg to constrict, thereby suppressing the inflammatory response.
If using traditional ice boots, wrap your horse’s leg to avoid direct contact between your horse’s skin and the ice.
Cold Therapy
The soft tissues in horses’ legs can experience a lot of pressure from regular riding. Regular ice therapy does wonders for horses with chronic leg issues like weakened tendons from old injuries and sore muscles caused by hard exercise.
How To Correctly Use Equine Ice Boots
If using after strenuous exercise, allow your horse to cool down and its heart rate to return to normal. Then take the ice boot out of the freezer and apply it to your horse’s leg with the velcro straps while your horse is resting in its stall.
Velcro strips hold the ice boot in place so you can continue with your daily routine while the ice boot does its magic.
To treat acute injuries, use as directed within 48 hours.
Materials
Durability
Many of these products have a heavy-denier nylon casing, like the Horze Pro Cooling Therapy Ice Wrap. This type of material is known for durability.
Insulation
Look out for products constructed with a neoprene outer shell, such as the Professional’s Choice Ice Boots, as these provide excellent insulation.
Breathability
Another important consideration is that of breathability. The is made of soft Oxford Cloth.
Proper Fit
Make sure that the ice boots fit your horse properly, providing enough compression for the treatment to be effective, without completely restricting blood flow to its legs. The Tough 1 Ice Boot is easily adjusted with 4 quick-grip straps to resolve this issue.
Best Ice Boots For Horses FAQs
How Long Should You Leave Ice Boots On Your Horse’s Legs?
It depends on what you are using it for, but generally, ice boots should be worn for 15-20 minutes at a time, 3-4 times a day while your horse is recovering from an injury.
If used as part of a cold treatment routine after exercising, allow your horse to cool down before applying the ice boots, and leave on for no longer than 30 minutes. It can be used daily as part of a maintenance routine after strenuous exercise, or for ongoing treatment of arthritis pain or to treat laminitis.
Do Ice Boots Help With Laminitis?
Horses’ forelimbs are more frequently and more severely affected than the hindlimbs. Ice treatment has traditionally been one of the most effective means of preventing and treating laminitis.