Why We Created IceStride™

HUSK has never really been about making another version of something that already exists. It began with a problem.

Our founder Louise’s horse, Tia, suffered a serious reaction after being turned out wearing thin perforated neoprene brushing boots. Her skin became compromised and she subsequently developed lymphangitis. Even years later, Tia carried two white scars on the backs of her legs.

That experience started a much bigger question: what are we actually putting around our horses’ legs?

Louise used her background from 13 years working within the medical industry to begin researching materials, heat and protection. Eventually, that journey became HUSK.

Our breathable leg protection was developed because we believed there had to be a different way of protecting horses’ legs without simply wrapping them in conventional materials.

What happens after the boots come off?

We had spent so much time thinking about preventing unnecessary heat accumulation during exercise that it seemed logical to consider the horse’s post-exercise routine too.

The traditional answer is often ice. But we became interested in another mechanism: evaporation. Could we create something incredibly easy for riders to use while taking advantage of evaporative cooling? That became the starting point for IceStride™.

What’s inside IceStride?

We didn’t want IceStride simply to feel cold. We wanted to combine our evaporation-led approach with botanicals that have a long history of use in topical preparations.

Arnica

Arnica has a long tradition of topical use, particularly in preparations associated with bruising, bumps, strains and post-exercise body care. It is one of the reasons we felt it was such a natural ingredient for a product designed around the working horse’s post-exercise routine.

Witch hazel

Witch hazel is widely used in topical skincare for its astringent and soothing properties. It complements IceStride’s post-exercise purpose while contributing to the fresh, clean feel of the formulation.

Isopropyl alcohol

A highly volatile component central to IceStride’s evaporation-led approach. As it evaporates rapidly from the surface, it supports heat removal through evaporation.

Peppermint oil

Provides the distinctive fresh, cooling sensation and aroma that makes IceStride immediately recognisable.

Glycerin

Included to help balance the feel of the formulation on the skin.

We haven’t simply asked, “How can we make a horse’s leg feel colder?” We’ve asked, “How can we create a fast, practical post-exercise routine that combines evaporative cooling with carefully selected traditional botanicals?”

Continuous spray

IceStride uses a continuous-spray bottle that produces a fine, even mist. That means you can sweep the spray across the horse’s legs rather than repeatedly pumping a conventional trigger bottle.

It’s simple. It’s fast. And that is exactly what we wanted. Because a product can contain wonderful ingredients, but if it is inconvenient, eventually it ends up sitting on the shelf.

IceStride™ by HUSK — Ice Therapy. Reimagined.