Horse Supplies

PRACTICAL POULTICING TIPS

o Always ensure the leg is clean prior to application.

o Always ensure leg is wet before application.

o Use ONLY PAPER unless you are experienced with how "plastic wrap" impacts the heat exchange process and the "signs" to look for throughout the application process.

o Poultice no more than once every 6 to 12 hours. Remove poultice after the initial application period to evaluate the process. Is there more heat, less heat, more swelling, less swelling, more infection, less infection – what are you observing and is it what you are expecting?

o Between poultice applications – let the leg "stabilize". Stabilizing is the act of establishing a "base line" from which you can further evaluate the next step.

o A "base Line" can be attained anywhere from a ½ hour to say 2 hours. At this time a determination can be made as to what the next best step might be. These steps might include;

 Hose the leg with cold water – this produces two processes;

 Wrap the leg with a mild to moderate support wrap to create a modest "pressure bandage" – this procedure prevents the accumulation of edema and helps dissipate the edema.

 Reapply poultice

 Ask for another opinion

 Do nothing

o Under NO CIRCUMSTANCE should a leg be poulticed more than twice in any 24 hour period.