Looking into the history of horses, ancient horsemen used herbal liniments to soothe their horses’ muscles, tendons, and joints. These liniments were made from secret recipes passed down through generations.
Setting the Bar High
A well-known liniment, Absorbine Veterinary Liniment, was created by Mary Ida and Wilbur F. Young in the late 19th century. They developed the liniment to relieve their horses’ soreness and fatigue after long days of work.
Mary Ida’s innovative blend of aromatic and essential oils in Absorbine Liniment provided relief to sore muscles without the need for harsh blistering methods. The liniment also offered antiseptic properties to prevent infections and a recipe for a body wash for horses.
The liniment works by increasing blood flow to muscles, delivering nutrients, and eliminating fatigue acids. It helps horses heal naturally, making it beneficial for various conditions like sore tendons, stiff joints, and muscle fatigue.
How Does Liniment Work?
Liniments penetrate the skin to increase blood flow to muscles, aiding in healing and pain relief. They are effective for racehorses, ranch horses, cutting horses, and even retirees with arthritis. Liniments can be applied before workouts to reduce pain and injury.
Warming Vs. Cooling
Warming liniments are ideal for stiff joints and sore muscles, while cooling liniments are refreshing after workouts. They can also be used for cold therapy during acute pain flare-ups.
[Read: All About Equine Dentistry]