11.10.2008
It's a Wonder (Wrap)...
I remember putting a “blister” on my first rescue horse, Star. Blister means just that – to burn an area. Well, I thought I was doing the right thing, as recommended by the vet, to reduce the swelling and inflammation, when Star turned right around to me and said “Why are you doing that? I thought you said you would never hurt me!” I got that communication loud and clear and pulled it off and called the vet and said that I would never use a blister again, until he put it on his three year old son!
So, I had to come up with something new. Besides being effective, it needed to be cost effective, easy to apply, and be soothing to animals. I wanted something that would stop the soreness, decrease inflammation and swelling and help heal up any soft tissue or concussion injuries. (At the time I was working B track Standardbred rescues – where three legged lame meant ONE leg was good!).
Using my Nursing classes I studied which herbs did what, and found that Yarrow has more blue azulene (healing agent) in it than Blue Chamomile. I knew that Peppermint would be a great coolant and had many medicinal qualities. Peppermint has been used since 1000 BC and is known for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory properties, especially on nerve and muscle pain. A little Juniper and Lavender and I was set to go. Wonder Wrap was officially born!
We used it on all types of swelling and inflammation, acute and chronic problems, and any and all soft-tissue and concussion injuries. I really realized how terrific it was when we tried it on Bob who had a six month old, non-treated perforation of the deep digital flexor tendon. I mean, this horse was LAME and HURTING. The vet ultrasounded him and said there was nothing we could do. Well, I never believe that, so I poulticed him with Wonder Wrap twice a day for a month. When the vet came back and ultrasounded him again, the scar tissue had decreased by 1/3 and he was totally sound at the walk! Pain free! What a miracle!
In the old days, I used to poultice with brown paper and leg wraps and all that, and then spend an hour trying to get the stuff off so I could re-apply. Wraps would be “applied the poultice, then used quilted wraps, then polo wraps, and sometimes vet wrap for good measure. Golly! The laundry!" Well, as a horse person, and always having 6 to 8 rescues at the ranch, I am BUSY, so I needed something quick!
You can use Wonder Wrap as a regular poultice – applying it and wrapping it, but I do it the EASY way. I just make a paste and paint it right on the horse. As it draws out the heat it dries right off. The most you need to do is brush it off with a regular horse brush. It doesn’t need to be very thick – just enough to stay on.
So as the years went by, we used it for more and more things. We found it terrific for drawing out abscesses – whew! No more fighting with our horses trying to get them to soak their feet in Epsom salts. Just add water and put in a ready made boot and change twice a day. No more using other messy, oil based products that I smelled like for a week and that ruined my clothes.
We have had a lot of success using it on sore backs too – a great refresher for the horse after a long ride.
For sore feet, sole bruises and stone bruises, use Wonder Wrap. I have been surprised at how often just one treatment heals the sore-footedness. And again, no mess to clean up!
It is also great for “wind puffs” – usually one treatment to get rid of them if it is not a chronic problem.
I hope this is helpful. If you have any questions or feedback, just give us a call at 888-396-0004 or e mail us at info@calmcoat.com.