Fall allergies? You're not alone. Horses suffer from them, too, and four of the most common equine allergies â rain rot (rain scald), fungal dermatitis (ringworm), mange and lice â should never go untreated.
Fighting the allergies on your horse's legs
The modern alternative, that wicks moisture away while creating a cooling, breathable barrier between a horse's legs and environment, is silver ion-embedded equine legwear: Silver Whinnys.
© 2015 by Sox for Horses
But like the old adage goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and in the case of equine allergic reactions, putting a barrier between the cause and your horse can save money, time and suffering.
But only if you choose the right barrier. The cotton equine bandages most owners, grooms and stable managers have grown up relying on, warns Sox For Horses, Inc. ® president Ray Petterson, are actually âPetri dishes waiting to happen,â that soak in and hold the very moisture that exacerbates problems called by wet environments and fungal infection.
The modern alternative, that wicks moisture away while creating a cooling, breathable barrier between a horse's legs and environment, is silver ion-embedded equine legwear: Silver Whinnys â¢.
Silver Whinnys are made of high-quality, custom-spun poly-yarn with moisture management fiber to wick moisture from the legs while keeping them cool in the heat of summer or exertion. Combined fiber in the yarn is embedded with silver ions that do not wash out and last the lifetime of the product to inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi and mold in the Sox.
Silver Whinnys offer a clean environment around the leg as well as the benefits of light compression. âSilver Whinnys are useful as protective bandaging, for holding in poultices, and alleviating edema in the legs,â says Petterson.
âWe make no claims that they will heal any conditions on equine legs. But we can say that a washable, re-usable set of Silver Whinnys costs far less than other bandaging options and offer benefits that other bandaging options simply cannot provide.â
âI recommend them to my clients,â says Dr. Laura Harris, of Harris Equine Services in Scottsdale, AZ, who was named by Morris Animal Foundation to its Veterinary Honor Roll in 2002 and was the 2004 recipient of the My Vet Matters award from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP).
âI've used them on summer sores and scratches and, with medication and the application of Silver Whinnys, have had unanimous success in alleviating otherwise persistent problems,â says 2009 Marty Simensen Award winner, Steve Soule, VMC, with Palm Beach Equine Medical Centers of Wellington (FL), who has served for two decades as an FEI and USEF veterinarian and sits on the USEF Veterinary Committee.
About Sox For Horses, Inc.
Sox For Horses, Inc. (SFHs) is the first company to bring antimicrobial yarn solutions to the equine horsewear industry. The Sox For Horses, Inc. mission is to help owners, trainers and veterinarians better help equines by providing exceptional leg protection with high levels of quality, function and durability, through optimal use of cutting-edge yarn science.
Through growth and opportunity, Sox For Horses, Inc. makes a difference in the lives of people and animals, supporting equine and animal rescue organizations while adding jobs in American manufacturing. Whinny Warmers® with Celiant® and Silver Whinnys⢠(also known as Summer Whinnys® Silver) are Made In America. Visit www.soxforhorses.com or call Sox For Horses, Inc. (850) 907-5724 to find the socks to fit your horse.