Science-Backed Cooling, No Freezer Required
For performance horses, cooling the lower limb is a common part of post-work care. Riders and grooms often rely on ice, cold water, or frozen protectors to help manage heat in the metacarpal region, an area closely linked with tendon and soft tissue stress in sport horses.
An initial investigation study conducted at the University of Córdoba compared water-activated Incrediwear Equine germanium-carbon bandages with conventional frozen ice protectors in ten healthy sport horses.
The study measured maximum surface temperature, known as Tmax, in the metacarpal region before application, immediately after 20 minutes of use, and then at 5, 10, 15, and 30 minutes after removal.
The result: both systems reduced surface temperature, but Incrediwear produced a stronger cooling response at the key post-removal points. At 10 and 15 minutes after removal, the Incrediwear-treated legs recorded lower Tmax values than the legs treated with ice protectors.
In simple terms: ice was coldest immediately after removal, but Incrediwear kept working longer, outperforming ice at 10 and 15 minutes after the bandages came off.
Key Findings
17.49% temperature reduction
Incrediwear Equine bandages reduced maximum surface temperature in the metacarpal region by 17.49% from baseline.
Cooler than ice after removal
At 10 and 15 minutes after removal, Incrediwear produced lower maximum surface temperatures than conventional ice protectors.
2.8°C cooler at the 15-minute mark
At 15 minutes after removal, the Incrediwear group recorded 25.0°C compared with 27.8°C for the ice protector group.
Lowest temperature reached later
Ice protectors reached their lowest temperature immediately after removal. Incrediwear bandages reached their lowest temperature 15 minutes after removal, suggesting a longer-lasting cooling effect.
No freezer required
The Incrediwear bandages were activated with water at approximately 20°C, while the ice protectors required at least 5 hours in a freezer before use.
Why This Matters
Traditional ice cooling can be effective, but it depends on frozen packs, freezer access, preparation time, and correct handling.
In this study, Incrediwear Equine bandages offered a practical alternative: water activation, easy application, and a cooling effect that continued after the bandages were removed.
For riders, grooms, and care teams, this means a simpler way to support lower-limb cooling at the stable, during travel, or at competitions where freezer access is not always available.
How It Works
Incrediwear Equine bandages are made with fabric embedded with germanium and carbon. When soaked in water, the material is designed to create a cooling effect without the need for ice or frozen packs.
In the University of Córdoba study, this water-activated application reduced maximum surface temperature in the metacarpal region and maintained lower temperatures after removal, with the strongest advantage over ice measured at 10 and 15 minutes post-removal.
Apply. Activate with water. Let the fabric do the work.
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