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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
  
| So we've noticed when we go on 3-4 day rodeo runs my little horse drops off pace towards the end. We don't notice any specific soreness or change in him - just not firing the way he did when he was fresh on day 1. I believe a lot is just not being "rodeo hardy" as it's the 1st year I've hauled him up and down the road like this, but we are still thinking about things we can do to help maintain him a little better.
I currently have a regular PHT blanket. He wears it pretty much whenever I'm not on him while we're hauling. I have regular PHT 3in1s I also use on his hocks or front legs, whichever I feel may need it more - he lacerated a front leg earlier this year and I noticed at a couple rodoes it seemed slightly puffy.
BOT has their sale right now for a free pair of quick wraps with the purchase of a mesh sheet. I'm toying with the idea of selling my PHT and trying the BOT for him? We currently ride with the BOT pad liners and I borrowed a full set of BOT leg gear from a friend when we went to Lincoln and stalled on concrete, we ran our best time on day 3 of 3.
I think after writing this I've pretty much made up my mind but does anyone else have thoughts? |
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Veteran
Posts: 113
Location: Wyoming | A lot of walking and stretching when you can so they eliminate the soreness. Just like humans when we get muscle sore after a workout. Magnesium also helps flush out the lactic acid that builds up in their system along with electrolytes, so plenty of water. |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| hoofs_N_bridles - 2017-07-17 8:36 AM
A lot of walking and stretching when you can so they eliminate the soreness. Just like humans when we get muscle sore after a workout. Magnesium also helps flush out the lactic acid that builds up in their system along with electrolytes, so plenty of water.
Yes, I already do this and he drinks great on the road. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 534
 
Location: Ohio girl moved to PA | IMO i would keep the PHT. I used to use BOT and it didnt really help my horses like the PHT does. also i couldnt use the BOT when it got hotter than 65-70 degrees. It doesnt take much to cook a tendon in the summer. Maybe more liniment baths and stretching? i always make sure i walk and move mine around when i cant set up a pen. It just sounds like he isnt use to that lifestyle yet and its just getting tired, which is understandable! I think youre doing the right thing though! |
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Expert
Posts: 2678
Location: Mi | I'm probably going to be the odd man out on this one but I prefer my BOT over my PHT. I was a long time BOT user and last year bought a Magnacu blanket. I noticed a differance with my BOT, both myself and my horse. I use no bows when hauling, I use a blanket and neck wrap while hauling (most the time) if its crazy hot I may not, but usually if its hotter out I will wash, and put the blanket on with the drop down windows down my horse has never got out of the trailer sweaty (I live in Michigan and we have some hot days in the summer). Don't get me wrong I wouldn't put it on and tie my horse in the 90 degree sun. If its really hot I won't haul in it and use it for minimal time in the shade before I run. Usually by the time I go home its cool enough to use those days. I liniment bath when done running let her cool out and haul home in it. I also use the knee boots, with sucess. With the Magnacu I used it all last summer since it was so hot I wanted to try something I could use longer durning the day, I used it for 2 mos without my BOT and my horse was so body sore she was biting me when I touched her. I know every horse is different and a lot do like their PHT and I really have wanted to try it again because I hear such good things about it but I've just not done it since.
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| Ahmac - 2017-07-17 10:38 AM
I'm probably going to be the odd man out on this one but I prefer my BOT over my PHT. I was a long time BOT user and last year bought a Magnacu blanket.  I noticed a differance with my BOT, both myself and my horse. I use no bows when hauling, I use a blanket and neck wrap while hauling (most the time) if its crazy hot I may not, but usually if its hotter out I will wash, and put the blanket on with the drop down windows down my horse has never got out of the trailer sweaty (I live in Michigan and we have some hot days in the summer). Don't get me wrong I wouldn't put it on and tie my horse in the 90 degree sun. If its really hot I won't haul in it and use it for minimal time in the shade before I run. Usually by the time I go home its cool enough to use those days. I liniment bath when done running let her cool out and haul home in it. I also use the knee boots, with sucess. With the Magnacu I used it all last summer since it was so hot I wanted to try something I could use longer durning the day, I used it for 2 mos without my BOT and my horse was so body sore she was biting me when I touched her. I know every horse is different and a lot do like their PHT and I really have wanted to try it again because I hear such good things about it but I've just not done it since.Â
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That's kind of why I've been holding on to the PHT is the hot weather thing, and it doubles as a fly sheet. But if I'm not seeing results in him do I need a fly sheet worth several hundred dollars?
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Expert
Posts: 2678
Location: Mi | OhMax - 2017-07-17 12:04 PM Ahmac - 2017-07-17 10:38 AM I'm probably going to be the odd man out on this one but I prefer my BOT over my PHT. I was a long time BOT user and last year bought a Magnacu blanket. I noticed a differance with my BOT, both myself and my horse. I use no bows when hauling, I use a blanket and neck wrap while hauling (most the time) if its crazy hot I may not, but usually if its hotter out I will wash, and put the blanket on with the drop down windows down my horse has never got out of the trailer sweaty (I live in Michigan and we have some hot days in the summer). Don't get me wrong I wouldn't put it on and tie my horse in the 90 degree sun. If its really hot I won't haul in it and use it for minimal time in the shade before I run. Usually by the time I go home its cool enough to use those days. I liniment bath when done running let her cool out and haul home in it. I also use the knee boots, with sucess. With the Magnacu I used it all last summer since it was so hot I wanted to try something I could use longer durning the day, I used it for 2 mos without my BOT and my horse was so body sore she was biting me when I touched her. I know every horse is different and a lot do like their PHT and I really have wanted to try it again because I hear such good things about it but I've just not done it since.
That's kind of why I've been holding on to the PHT is the hot weather thing, and it doubles as a fly sheet. But if I'm not seeing results in him do I need a fly sheet worth several hundred dollars?
Exactly! I have heard great things about them and I wish I had great things to say, I just don't. Like I've said even in the middle of the summer when its hot here in Michigan I have used my BOT (not as long etc obvioulsy) but I've had sucess and I've never had one feel too warm from it on. Same with the leg wraps, I use them religously everytime I haul, never had ones legs feel to warm when I've taken them off no matter the temp. If its hot that day I may unload and take them right off, where if its cooler I will leave them on awhile. |
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 Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | I think it depends on the individual horse what will work best. Personally, my gray horse likes ceramic therapy better than magnetic so I have a back on track sheet, neck cover, wraps and also Draper therapy wraps & sheet. I have been using the Draper sheet, Draper quick wraps, BOT neck cover, BOT knee boots and BOT hock boots pre-run.
I do have a magnetic sheet that I use on two of my horses and they like it.
The biggest thing is keeping them happy and fresh on the road. I haul in Soft Ride boots, bed my trailer deeply and get them out immediately when we arrive. I also ice legs after each run and make an effort to let them roll after every run. We've had ONE run this year that I thought I had a somewhat tired horse....Whiting on the 4th after he traveled 1300 miles between June 30th & July 4th plus ran the afternoon of the 4th and had to jump right in the trailer to get to Whiting on time. He got a few days off after that experience!! |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| rodeowithjoker - 2017-07-17 9:43 PM
I think it depends on the individual horse what will work best. Personally, my gray horse likes ceramic therapy better than magnetic so I have a back on track sheet, neck cover, wraps and also Draper therapy wraps & sheet. I have been using the Draper sheet, Draper quick wraps, BOT neck cover, BOT knee boots and BOT hock boots pre-run.
I do have a magnetic sheet that I use on two of my horses and they like it.
The biggest thing is keeping them happy and fresh on the road. I haul in Soft Ride boots, bed my trailer deeply and get them out immediately when we arrive. I also ice legs after each run and make an effort to let them roll after every run. We've had ONE run this year that I thought I had a somewhat tired horse....Whiting on the 4th after he traveled 1300 miles between June 30th & July 4th plus ran the afternoon of the 4th and had to jump right in the trailer to get to Whiting on time. He got a few days off after that experience!!
Yeah, the Whiting-Exira run is hard on them in 1 day, it was so hot I'm glad we decided to split it up!
I think a lot of it is just experience and tweaking our routine. I think if I can get my PHT sold I'll try the BOT on him since I had good luck with the leg gear at Lincoln. If I don't like it I'll save my pennies for something else. Won't have it by this week though unfortunately which is the last long string of rodeos we'll hit. 6-7 in 8 days and the closest is an hour haul. Hopefully either my husband or I makes the shootout at Lenox this weekend and then we can layover for the next one instead of coming home. |
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Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | OhMax - 2017-07-18 6:12 AM rodeowithjoker - 2017-07-17 9:43 PM I think it depends on the individual horse what will work best. Personally, my gray horse likes ceramic therapy better than magnetic so I have a back on track sheet, neck cover, wraps and also Draper therapy wraps & sheet. I have been using the Draper sheet, Draper quick wraps, BOT neck cover, BOT knee boots and BOT hock boots pre-run.
I do have a magnetic sheet that I use on two of my horses and they like it.
The biggest thing is keeping them happy and fresh on the road. I haul in Soft Ride boots, bed my trailer deeply and get them out immediately when we arrive. I also ice legs after each run and make an effort to let them roll after every run. We've had ONE run this year that I thought I had a somewhat tired horse....Whiting on the 4th after he traveled 1300 miles between June 30th & July 4th plus ran the afternoon of the 4th and had to jump right in the trailer to get to Whiting on time. He got a few days off after that experience!! Yeah, the Whiting-Exira run is hard on them in 1 day, it was so hot I'm glad we decided to split it up! I think a lot of it is just experience and tweaking our routine. I think if I can get my PHT sold I'll try the BOT on him since I had good luck with the leg gear at Lincoln. If I don't like it I'll save my pennies for something else. Won't have it by this week though unfortunately which is the last long string of rodeos we'll hit. 6-7 in 8 days and the closest is an hour haul. Hopefully either my husband or I makes the shootout at Lenox this weekend and then we can layover for the next one instead of coming home.
Shoot an hour haul would be nice!!! I insist on going to Hepler KS which is July 3-4, and so we have to do Exira & Whiting in the same day, but I'm thinking we might skip Whiting next year and do Exira and Leon in the same day instead.
The past 3 weekends for us have all included at least one 4+ hour haul. Whiting, Woodbine and then Fremont sure put the miles on the horses. This week is close to home with a 55 minute trip and a 2 hour trip, then Saturday & Sunday off for the rodeo horses and we leave Tuesday for 3 days on the road in the LQ.
I started adding some Omni Cubes to my horses' diets after the 4th of July and think they've had a little more pep, and sometimes I'll feed my gray horse some Red Cell mid-summer. I don't dare feed that to Clifford though! LOL. |
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  Keeper of the King Snake
Posts: 7622
Location: Dubach, LA | I wouldn't use BOT down south during summer. No way. I'll make a four hour or less haul in the PHT but I wet it down good before loading. I'm not above wetting and freezing shipping boots. |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| CanCan - 2017-07-18 1:23 PM
 I wouldn't use BOT down south during summer. No way. I'll make a four hour or less haul in the PHT but I wet it down good before loading. I'm not above wetting and freezing shipping boots.
I hadn't thought about the shipping boot thing, thanks, that is a great idea! |
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Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | CanCan - 2017-07-18 1:23 PM I wouldn't use BOT down south during summer. No way. I'll make a four hour or less haul in the PHT but I wet it down good before loading. I'm not above wetting and freezing shipping boots.
The heat is why I use my Draper sheets a lot in the summertime. I love BOT & ceramic therapy so I will use BOT stuff for short periods of time when it's not terribly hot. Last night it was actually cool enough to use BOT leg wraps for 30-40 minutes pre-run on a couple horses.
I live in southeast Kansas right now and believe the OP is in Iowa so luckily we don't have a lot of 110 degree heat. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | I would hang on to your PHT's, your horse is still young it sounds like he's just not use to all the hauling his first year out, I think you'll regret selling your PHT's in the long run. I would just buy the BOT leg wraps, I also ride with the BOT pad liner and like it. |
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 The Worst Seller Ever
Posts: 4138
Location: Oklahoma | I would not leave him in the PHT 24/7 when you are not on him. I love my PHT products but they can mellow mine out too much. I will put them on durning the trailer ride, and pull them when I get to where I am going. :) If I am staying overnight I will put it back on around 5 (for an 8pm rodeo) and pull around 730. If I have an off day I will leave it on all night and pull the next morning.
This is what works for mine. They have more zip if I only leave it on for short periods of time on the road. Just something to think about. |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| clover girl - 2017-07-19 11:19 AM
I would not leave him in the PHT 24/7 when you are not on him. I love my PHT products but they can mellow mine out too much. I will put them on durning the trailer ride, and pull them when I get to where I am going. :) If I am staying overnight I will put it back on around 5 (for an 8pm rodeo) and pull around 730. If I have an off day I will leave it on all night and pull the next morning. Â
This is what works for mine. They have more zip if I only leave it on for short periods of time on the road.  Just something to think about.
Something to consider for sure, thanks!
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| rodeowithjoker - 2017-07-19 10:50 AM
CanCan - 2017-07-18 1:23 PM Â I wouldn't use BOT down south during summer. No way. I'll make a four hour or less haul in the PHT but I wet it down good before loading. I'm not above wetting and freezing shipping boots.
The heat is why I use my Draper sheets a lot in the summertime. I love BOT & ceramic therapy so I will use BOT stuff for short periods of time when it's not terribly hot. Last night it was actually cool enough to use BOT leg wraps for 30-40 minutes pre-run on a couple horses.
I live in southeast Kansas right now and believe the OP is in Iowa so luckily we don't have a lot of 110 degree heat.
You say that but we have a 106* heat index right now...
I may start to snag some BOT leg gear as they do the 20% off sales...but will likely keep the sheet and see if him wearing it less helps, and just time and seasoning. |
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Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | OhMax - 2017-07-19 12:32 PM rodeowithjoker - 2017-07-19 10:50 AM CanCan - 2017-07-18 1:23 PM I wouldn't use BOT down south during summer. No way. I'll make a four hour or less haul in the PHT but I wet it down good before loading. I'm not above wetting and freezing shipping boots. The heat is why I use my Draper sheets a lot in the summertime. I love BOT & ceramic therapy so I will use BOT stuff for short periods of time when it's not terribly hot. Last night it was actually cool enough to use BOT leg wraps for 30-40 minutes pre-run on a couple horses.
I live in southeast Kansas right now and believe the OP is in Iowa so luckily we don't have a lot of 110 degree heat. You say that but we have a 106* heat index right now... I may start to snag some BOT leg gear as they do the 20% off sales...but will likely keep the sheet and see if him wearing it less helps, and just time and seasoning.
We don't have that heat like they do in Texas or the deep south. It's warm for sure and the humidity sucks but I figure it could always be worse. I just wish I could figure out how to keep the heat from zapping Clifford so much. :(
Oh and please get that 106 crap out of the way before I come to Iowa on Tuesday! LOL |
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