By Sarah Welk Baynum
Horse poultices are a vital part of any equine post-exercise care routine. Poulticing is an age-old technique that has been known to help support horses with inflammation, draw out heat, and promote faster recovery in the hooves and legs. Finish Line® Horse Products offers a range of poultices to suit different needs—from everyday cooling to extra-soothing recovery support.
In this guide, we’ll break down each product’s ingredients and benefits, and share why top trainers and riders trust Finish Line® horse poultices.
Horses of all breeds and disciplines can benefit from the use of poultice.
Physical exertion can often lead to inflammation and discomfort in a horse’s legs and surrounding soft tissues, which can slow recovery and impact performance. Finish Line horse poultices are clay-based pastes formulated explicitly for easy application to the lower legs and hooves. By drawing out excess heat and fluid, they can help cool, tighten, and soothe overworked tissues after strenuous activity.
To use, ensure the area is clean and dry, then spread the poultice about a quarter-inch thick on the affected area. Optionally, you can cover it with damp paper, a quilted pad, or cotton sheeting, and secure it with a bandage, especially for overnight application. For more information on how and when to apply a poultice, please refer to our guide here.
The ingredients in Finish Line’s poultices penetrate the skin to support tendons and ligaments, helping soothe stiff, inflamed, and sore legs. No matter what you use them for, poultices are a reliable and time-tested tool in equine care, and they remain a staple in barns for good reason.
Finish Line offers three specialized horse poultices—Kool-Out™, Original Premium™, and EZ-Willow™ Poultice—each with a unique blend of ingredients designed to address specific recovery needs. Whether it provides everyday cooling and soreness support (Original Premium), offers gentle care for sensitive skin (Kool-Out), or delivers maximum strength for more serious cases of soreness, inflammation, and swelling (EZ-Willow), each poultice is carefully crafted to enhance your horse’s comfort and recovery.
Introduced in 1975 as Finish Line’s inaugural product, Original Premium™ Poultice has become a cornerstone in equine leg care. Its superior clay base is enhanced with essential oils such as peppermint, eucalyptus, and wintergreen, and is renowned for its extra cooling and tightening effects.
This poultice aids in the temporary relief of minor stiffness and soreness due to overexertion, helping to draw heat and fluid from the legs and hooves. It’s known for its creamy texture, which makes it easy to apply and remove. It can be used daily without causing irritation, making it a trusted choice among horse professionals.
Key Benefits of Original Premium™ Poultice:
Key Ingredient Highlights:
Endorsed and Used By:
What Horse Professionals and Finish Line Customers Say About Original Premium™ Poultice
“I’ve been professionally training Arabian horses for 25 years. We use Finish Line poultices on a daily basis on our horses. They draw out heat and inflammation to keep everything tight and healthy. After daily training, we usually just slather their legs. But at shows, we step up the application with wraps to ensure that our horses stay sound while performing. Because of the poultices, we have rarely seen issues with our horses while showing.”
-Ali Brady, Arabian Horse Trainer, Finish Line Sponsor, and Owner of ABC Center in Scottsdale, Arizona
“I started using Finish Line poultice because many other brands were causing my horse’s legs to swell. Immediately, I saw a difference in her legs. Not only does Finish Line not dry as fast as others, but I also found it far easier to wash off! This is now the only brand I use on both my dressage and event horses.”
— Iselle Longman, Finish Line Customer
Finish Line’s Kool-Out Poultice is a non-medicated, clay-based formula designed to provide gentle and temporary relief from minor stiffness and soreness caused by overexertion.
The equine skin is 8-10 times more sensitive than human skin. Kool-Out™ is specially designed for horses with exceptionally sensitive skin, providing a mild yet effective solution for post-exercise care. Its gentle formula allows for daily use without irritation.
Quick Comparison of Key Benefits of Kool-Out™ Poultice:
Key Ingredient Highlights:
Endorsed and Used By Finish Line Endorsers:
What Horse Professionals and Finish Line Customers are Saying About Kool-Out™ Poultice
“We’ve been using the Kool Out poultice for as long as I can remember. I think I have a record for keeping horses sound but I think Finish Line is there hand in hand helping me achieve that goal. With Finish Line, the horse always comes first. “
– Buck Davidson, Champion Eventer & Finish Line Endorser
“My personal favorite is the Kool Out poultice. I have tried other brands, but none even come close to this. I use it after a long day of showing to make sure my girl won’t be sore the next day. It has never let me down.”
—Mollie Kellenberger, Finish Line Customer
“I like Kool-Out™ better than other poultices because it comes off easily, it’s less expensive than other brands and it doesn’t cause issues with other leg preparations.”
—Joe Holloway, Standardbred Racehorse Trainer & Finish Line Endorser
EZ-Willow™ Poultice is Finish Line’s most powerful poultice, formulated for more severe cases of soreness, swelling, or inflammation.
It combines a high-quality clay base with a potent blend of botanicals and essential oils to deliver deep, targeted support after strenuous activity. Enhanced with ingredients that provide intensified cooling and soothing effects, this poultice helps your horse recover comfortably and stay in peak condition.
Key Ingredient Highlights:
Endorsed and Used By Finish Line Endorsers:
What Horse Professionals and Finish Line Customers Are Saying About EZ-Willow™ Poultice
“EZ-Willow™ Poultice is the best poultice on the market. We use it for acute inflammation or heat, and it helps when other poultices aren’t enough.”
—Barclay Tagg, Thoroughbred Racehorse Trainer
“EZ-Willow™ Poultice was introduced to me right after our horse had knee surgery. She had to have two surgeries within four days, and we were told she would never run again. I used EZ-Willow™ Poultice, and she came back to win here at Tampa Downs and went on to continue running. Without EZ-Willow™ Poultice, I don’t believe she would have come back as well and given her longevity in her racing career.”
—Lynn Rarick, Thoroughbred Trainer, Tampa Bay Downs
“The EZ-Willow Poultice is simply fantastic! It does its job by getting the horse’s legs tight and is very easy to get off.”
—Callie Schott, Grand Prix Hunter/Jumper Champion & Finish Line Endorser
Keep it Sealed: Always keep your poultice container sealed and away from extreme heat or freezing temperatures to enhance longevity.
Not Just For Legs: Poultices can also be used to help draw out heat and inflammation from horses’ hooves. Additionally, they are beneficial for packing sore, bruised feet, especially after shoeing or intense activity.
Consistency is Key: Incorporating poultice into your horse’s routine, especially after strenuous activities, can help prevent injuries by supporting inflamed tissues and promoting recovery.
