Detrimental effect of heat on horses lower legs

There are many studies proving that traditional leg wear heats up horses legs. The worst offenders are neoprene boots, furry or leather tendon boots and fleece wraps. A 2017 study done by Solheim (et al.) discovered the internal temperature of horses legs increased by 16.5 degrees when studying fleece bandages, neoprene tendon wraps, “air” perforated neoprene boots and a few others. The study claims that boots and bandages act as a barrier between evaporative and convective cooling in the legs creating a microenvironment of heat and humidity. It is this combination that can have serious effects on the soft tissue and tendons in the lower leg area.

Another study, conducted by Westermann (et al.) in 2014 analysed both a fleece bandage wrap and a neoprene tendon sport boot. As a result from the study of two types of leg wear above, she discovered heat increases of almost 30% after wearing the coverings during exercise. Westermann states this heat development could be severely damaging your horses lower legs.

How does this happen? Westermann claims heat causes an insufficient level of oxygen from reaching the cells causing disruption to the cell metabolising, damaging them, and causing heat related injuries.

Brock (et al. 2021) studied 6 different types of leg wear on horses to discuss the impact on the Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon. Each horse wore multiple boots over 6 exercise sessions including a session without any leg wear.

The boots studied were:

• A neoprene boot
• Perforated neoprene boot
• Plant based neoprene boot
• Cross-country boots
• Elastic trap bandages
• Fleece Polo/Bandage wraps

They concluded the fleece polo wrap caused the most heat and humidity, and all limbs wearing boots rose to temperatures that could cause harm to the tendon cells. An important note, none of the legs wearing boots returned to their original temperature after the 3 hour recovery period.

They determined that without sufficient cooling, traditional boots and wraps can damage the superficial digital flexor tendon.

Brock claims the insulating effect of the studied leg wear can be detrimental to the internal tendons of the lower limb as its hypovascular, meaning it loses very little heat via the bloodstream, thus convection cooling is very important in this area.

What makes airSTRIDE different to traditional leg wear?

By utilising innovative honeycomb mesh, airSTRIDE’s fabric allows for total air flow providing constant cooling to your horses legs during exercise. It actively draws moisture and sweat away to avoid detrimental micro-environments for heat and humidity providing optimal protection of your horses tendons, ligaments and soft tissue. These cooler temperatures reduce the risk of excessive heat on your horses legs and consequently, related internal damage. It also helps to reduce your icing and post-exercise hosing time.

Without legs your horses don’t exist, airSTRIDE wants to keep them protected.