Evidence of Rapid Cooling, Vascular Modulation, and Sustained Thermoregulatory Effects in Post-Exercise Recovery
Background
This study investigates the physiological effects of Incrediwear Equine Forelimb Wet Socks applied to a horse’s right forelimb following exercise. Using infrared thermography, the objective was to assess real-time changes in tissue temperature and vascular response under controlled ambient conditions (~23°C), simulating a typical post-exercise care setting. Special attention was given to evaluating the product’s potential to support inflammation control, vascular regulation, and thermoregulatory recovery after exertion.
Methods
Thermal imaging was performed at baseline (T0), every 15 minutes during a 1-hour application period, and again after sock removal. The right forelimb (RF) received the wet sock, while the left forelimb (LF) served as an untreated control. The sock was soaked in cold tap water before application to reflect practical post-work usage.
Three anatomical imaging views were used:
- Dorsal view (coronet, pastern, fetlock, carpus)
- Palmar view (deep palmar vasculature, flexor tendons)
- Lateral/Medial view (soft tissues, tendons, joints)
Regions of Interest (RoIs):
A1: Coronet
A2: Pastern
A3: Fetlock
A4: Metacarpal (tendons)
A5: Carpus
Results
Dorsal View (Targeted Cooling and Vascular Regulation):
A rapid and pronounced decrease in surface temperature was observed in the treated forelimb within the first 15 minutes of wet sock application. The coronet (A1) showed the most significant drop, reaching -9.3°C, while the fetlock (A3) and carpus (A5) recorded reductions of -5.2°C and -6.2°C, respectively. This cooling effect was sustained at T+30 min and T+1 h (e.g., -7.8°C at A1). Post-removal imaging at T+1 h revealed continued thermal suppression compared to baseline, indicating a residual vasoconstrictive response.
Palmar View (Tendon and Vascular Regulation):
Thermography of the palmar aspect revealed an even, controlled cooling effect along the limb’s soft tissue structures. At T+15 min, temperature dropped by -5.6°C and -8.5°C across the digital flexor zone (A3) and palmar vasculature (A2). Despite rising ambient conditions, this cooling effect persisted through T+45 min and T+1 h, with only minimal recovery. Post-removal imaging continued to show significant differences, particularly in the deep vascular region (A2: -4.8°C), suggesting ongoing modulation of circulatory activity. These findings highlight the effectiveness of the wet-use application in delivering fast-acting cooling and vascular regulation, with active benefits lasting for 1 hour or more after initial application.
Lateral/Medial View (Thermal Stabilization and Structural Effects):
Images from lateral and medial perspectives confirmed uniform thermal reduction with minimal variance across tendons, joints, and bone structures. Surface temperatures decreased by up to -7.2°C, with no notable lateral asymmetries. The treated limb maintained a cooled and stabilized thermal profile even after sock removal, indicating the product’s ability to extend recovery-enhancing effects beyond direct contact.
Conclusion
The Incrediwear Equine Circulation Hoof Socks, when applied wet, induced rapid, localized cooling with meaningful vascular and thermoregulatory effects. This study demonstrated a clear dual benefit:
- Immediate cooling, beneficial for managing acute inflammation.
- Sustained post-removal physiological effects, supporting extended vascular regulation and tissue recovery.
These outcomes reinforce the value of wet-use application as a powerful and non-invasive post-exercise care tool, particularly for managing heat, swelling, or inflammation in equine distal limbs. The product’s ability to act quickly and remain effective for over an hour after removal offers a distinct therapeutic advantage in equine recovery protocols.
Thermographic tests were performed by ThermoHorse Thermographie Équine (as an independent operator), following strict protocols. 2025.
Full study available upon request at hello@incrediwearequine.com