09/01/2026
What is poultice?
Have you ever noticed a horse in a field, at a show, or on the backside with unusual white markings on their legs? It might not be markings at all. There’s a good chance what you’re seeing is poultice!
Poultice is a soft, clay based paste that can be applied directly to a horse’s legs and muscles to relieve soreness and/or inflammation or applied to their hooves to help abscesses or bruises. The coolness of the mud, as well as any other ingredients added to it, helps to draw out heat and relax the body. It goes on wet, slowly dries, then can easily be brushed and washed off later.
Young horses grow fast. Many farms use it for yearlings and foals/weanlings while going through growth spurts or sales prepping. Racehorses and show horses can use it after workouts, races, shows, etc. As a bonus, it also protects their legs from annoying flies in the summer which can lead to excessive stomping and cracked hooves.
(Pictured is an older foal with dried poultice on its front legs during evening turnout)
