Understanding the Benefits of Horse Liniments

Horse liniments are specifically created for caretakers to apply on the skin of a horse to help with soreness and stiffness on the spot.  

Imagine a lovely massage with a cooling and soothing gel after each workout—that’s what you’re giving your horse when you use liniment. 

What Is Horse Liniment?

Available in liquid, paste, or gel form, liniment is a topical treatment that helps relieve muscle soreness, joint stiffness, swelling, pain, and circulation.  

Most horse liniments are applied directly to the skin to help ease pain and stiffness. Some formulations are also designed for use under bandages or as a body wash.  

Liniments work by causing a cooling effect, and they increase circulation, allowing the body to eliminate waste products and deliver healing nutrition to the area. This “clean-up” process, combined with the natural anti-inflammatory properties of liniment, helps reduce swelling and provide relief to the area. 

Benefits of Horse Liniments

The use of horse liniment can be a great tool for horses with the following conditions: 

• Lameness 

• Arthritis 

• Muscle strain 

• Chronic inflammation 

• Post-workout muscle soreness 

Common Liniment Ingredients

Liniments for horses can be made from many different ingredients. The main goal is for a cooling and relaxing effect to make whatever it is applied to feel better. These ingredients include: 

• Menthol: A natural chemical found in mint plants that causes a cooling sensation and works on a cellular level to provide pain relief 

• Iodine: A trace element typically used as a disinfectant 

• Lavender: Derived from the natural plant and typically available typically as an oil to help reduce inflammation 

• Eucalyptus: Natural chemicals from plants that provide antibacterial properties and relief of pain and swelling 

• Chamomile: A plant used for anti-inflammatory and relaxation properties 

• Rosemary: Typically derived from the plant in an oil base to help with muscle pain and improving circulation 

• Tea tree oil: From leaves of Australian tea tree; has antibacterial benefits and antioxidant properties 

• Aloe vera: Helps relieve irritation, promote healing, moisturize, and soothe 

• Witch hazel: A flowering plant whose leaves and bark are used to reduce inflammation 

• Chloroxylenol: Antiseptic agent used for disinfection and wound cleaning 

• Ginger: Natural antioxidant that helps reduce cell waste 

• Arnica: A plant in the sunflower family that helps inflammation and pain relief 

• Vitamin E: Vitamin with strong antioxidant use 

• Peppermint oil: Provides a cooling sensation along with anti-inflammatory and calming effects 

• Alcohol: A chemical used for rapid cooling 

• Calendula: Comes from the dried petals of the flower; helps prevent inflammation and soothe irritated skin 

• Comfrey: Often used to relieve pain from pulled muscles and bruises 

• Capsaicin: A chili pepper extract that relieves pain and fights inflammation 

Types of Horse Liniments

Body Wash Liniment

This liniment is usually available in spray or shampoo form. Some brands have a hose attachment that sprays liniment on the horse along with the water.  

Body wash liniments can be left on to cool or rinsed off after use. This provides a whole-body treatment in a pretty quick and easy fashion.  

Consider UltraCruz Liniment Horse Wash next time you give your horse a relaxing bath. 

Leg Wrap Liniment

Leg wrap liniments are meant for limb injuries or rehab programs because the treatment is concentrated on a specific area.  

Use liquid or gel liniments specifically meant for use under bandages, like Absorbine Bigeloil Topical Rub.  

Note: Certain liniments are not meant to go under bandages, so it’s important to double-check their formulation before use.  

Sweat Wrap Liniment

Liniment within a bandage can be used even more precisely as a sweat wrap.  

Liniment is applied to the limb and then contained in cellophane to increase the concentration of the cooling and heat on the area.  

Sweat wraps can help pull out severe swelling and focus the treatment. Vetericyn Mobility Liniment Horse Treatment is a popular option. 

Topical Treatment Horse Liniment

You can apply or massage liquid or gel liniment onto the area you want to treat. This can be used as a whole-body sponge bath or targeted to a specific area of concern.  

Consider Absorbine Veterinary Topical Menthol Sore Muscles & Arthritis Pain Relief Horse Liniment Gel for quick and easy application. 

How To Apply Horse Liniment

1. Topical Treatment: Clean, Apply, Repeat 

This is the easiest variation of liniment application. Simply brush clean the area you wish to treat, then apply the liniment directly to the skin.  

You can wear gloves if you do not want the liniment on your own hands. Always follow label instructions on how to apply, how much, and how long to leave it on.  

Most paste, gel, and liquid liniments are meant to be applied directly on the skin and left to dry on the surface.  

These liniments can be used daily after workouts or as a treatment program as directed by your veterinarian.  

2. Topical Treatment and Massage: Sponge Bath and Full-Body Massage

Some horse owners apply liniment to the entire body after a hard workout, combining it with massage to enhance skin absorption and further support muscle recovery.  

Following the label instructions, you can fill a bucket with water and add an appropriately measured amount of liniment. Mix the water and liniment and then use a sponge or cloth to massage the liquid across the horse’s entire body.  

Note: Most liniments should not be used on the face near the eyes, ears, and nose, or near the horse’s genitals, as these are areas with more sensitive skin.  

3. Leg Wrap: A Focused Treatment

Liniment can be applied to the skin and then contained under a pillow or polo wrap, first to contain heat and then cooling for maximum effect after a workout.  

Wraps must be applied very carefully to avoid injury, so be sure to learn from a veterinarian or trainer on how to do this properly. 

This particular technique is best for old injuries or arthritis, because heat is contained and concentrated to help the area.  

Leg wraps are usually left on for 12–24 hours, depending on the weather and the liniment used.  

4. Sweat Wrap: Terrible Swelling? Sweat It Out

Sweat wraps are similar to regular leg wraps but include a layer of non-breathable material, like cellophane or newspaper, applied over the liniment to provide a more concentrated treatment.  

Add a pillow and compression polo wrap over the non-breathable material to lessen the inflammation as much as possible.  

These wraps are usually left on for about 12 hours, but read the label for specific instructions. 

5. Soothing Bath: Ice Bath, Just Not Quite So Cold  

Liniments available in shampoo or spray wash form are meant for whole- body treatments after a hard workout or a long competition.  

Most products are simply lathered in like shampoo or sprayed on with a nozzle. Depending on the instructions, they may be left to dry or rinsed off, leaving a cooling, soothing effect that lasts throughout the day. 

How To Choose the Best Liniment for Your Horse

Now that you know the different types of liniments, how they work, how they’re used, and why they’re used, how do you pick the best one for your horse?  

The answer is easy: Choose one that meets the goals you have set for its use.  

As always, research the product and make sure the label meets the specifications you’re looking for; and if you have any concerns, ask your veterinarian for help.  

When using a new liniment on your horse, test it on a small area first and monitor it for 24 hours. If you see any of the following reactions, rinse the product off thoroughly, and contact your veterinarian for further advice: 

• Redness 

• Swelling 

• Hives 

• Itching 

• Hair loss 

• Blistering 

Avoid the product in the future.  

Tips for Proper Horse Liniment Use

Pay attention to timing and temperature when applying horse liniment.  

Liniments are all variations of compounds that let off heat or cold; this means that one must take the weather into consideration. If it’s extremely hot outside, there is the possibility of burning or skin reactions due to the heat.  

While liniments do have antibacterial properties, they’re not meant to be applied directly to fresh wounds.  

And remember, while liniments are an excellent at-home tool to help your horse feel more comfortable, recover from workouts, heal, and recuperate, they’re not a cure- all. Any injury should be assessed by a veterinarian to ensure your horse is receiving the most appropriate therapy.  

If you want to use liniment as a maintenance strategy for after workouts and competition, run it by your veterinarian and make sure to always follow the label instructions.