McTarnahans® R/T Original Poultice (5lb, 12lb, 23lb, 46lb)

The McTarnahan® line up of poultices are second to none!

Need a trusted poultice in 5 to 46 pound sizes from a 50-year equine distributor?

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Reviewed by Ann Pruitt, InfoHorse.com · Updated April 2026

McTarnahans R/T Original Poultice tub of ready-to-use clay poultice for horses

McTarnahans® R/T Original Poultice (5lb, 12lb, 23lb, 46lb)

McTarnahan's® Poultice Products distributed by Jacks Inc.
The McTarnahan® line up of poultices are second to none!

What Is Jack's Manufacturing?

Founded in 1971, Jacks Inc. is a globally recognized manufacturer and distributor for many of the Equine Industry’s finest products ranging from Standardbred and Thoroughbred equipment to the Western, English, Miniature, Foal, and Draft markets. We continue our reputation established by founder Jack Balahtsis of offering unparalleled quality, selection, service and price to continually meet and exceed the needs of our customers.

What Sets The McTarnahan®'s Products Apart From The Competition?

McTarnahans products have been successfully used for over 60 years and have proven themselves to be non resistant after continual usage.

McTarnahans® R/T Original Poultice (5lb, 12lb, 23lb, 46lb)

McTarnahans R/T Original Poultice is a race track formulation derived from suggestions of horsemen and veterinarians. Applies as smooth as cake frosting, stays moist longer and provides a longer lasting cooling effect while still maintaining maximum drawing properties. Satisfaction guaranteed.

This is a ready to use Poultice with a unique creamy consistency making it very easy to apply. The cooling effect is enhanced by the special blending of quality clays, absorbents, and oils. Developed to hold moisture longer and provide potent drawing properties to reduce inflammation and traumatic swelling. This easy on, easy off formula can be applied daily or on an as needed basis after training or racing.

McTarnahans® R/T Medicated Poultice (23lb Pail)

McTarnahans® R/T Medicated Poultice is a ready to use Poultice with a unique creamy consistency making it very easy to apply and stop infection. It reduces swelling and provides cooling relief from muscular aches and pains due to over-exertion and fatigue. This long lasting medicated poultice rinses off without damaging newly healed tissue and skin.

McTarnahans® R/T Cooling Poultice (23lb Pail)

McTarnahans® R/T Cooling Poultice is a ready to use poultice with a unique creamy consistency making it very easy to apply. The cooling effect is enhanced by the special blending of all natural clays, absorbents and oils. Topical that can be applied to knees, ankles, and tendons. Developed to hold moisture longer and provide potent drawing properties to tighten and soothe hot tired legs. Cooling and refreshing, this 24 hour poultice will not dry out and washes off easily.

McTarnahans® R/T Epsom Poultice (23lb Pail)

McTarnahans® R/T Epsom Poultice is a ready to use Poultice with a creamy consistency making it very easy to apply. Developed with Epsom salts as a potent drawing agent for muscle, joint and hoof pain. Effective for drawing abscesses, helps reduce swelling and soothes pain caused from bruises, sprains and strains. This long lasting poultice does not dry out and washes off easily.

Where Can I Find McTarnahans®?

You can find McTarnahans at BigDWeb.com and other fine retailers. We are happy to help you if you have any trouble locating McTarnahans® or if you have questions about your horse and how McTarnahan's products can help you, just give us a call today!

What makes the R/T Original a true race-track poultice?

McTarnahans® R/T Original Poultice is a ready-to-use clay poultice built from a "race track formulation derived from suggestions of horsemen and veterinarians." It applies as smooth as cake frosting, stays moist longer, and delivers a longer-lasting cooling effect while still maintaining maximum drawing properties. The "R/T" signals a ready-to-use consistency engineered for the barn aisle — no mixing, no powder, just open and apply. Trainers reach for it to temporarily relieve heat, inflammation, and soreness from a horse's body or hooves.

McTarnahans R/T Original Poultice 46 lb bucket product label from Jacks Inc

Which clays, absorbents, and oils go into the jar?
The Original formula blends Deionized Water, Kaolin clay, Glycerine, Boric Acid, Aloe Vera, Ferrous Sulfate, Peppermint Oil, and the preservatives Methyl Paraben and Propyl Paraben. Kaolin is the classic poultice clay that pulls heat and fluid from tired tissue, glycerine and aloe keep the pack moist and skin-friendly, and peppermint oil supplies the signature cooling sensation. That moisture-holding chemistry is exactly why the pack stays active on the leg longer than a poultice that dries out and crumbles off.

McTarnahans R/T Cooling Poultice creamy clay leg poultice for horses

How do you apply and remove it?

Clean the affected area, apply the poultice evenly over the leg, tendon, joint, or sole, then cover with poultice paper to keep the pack moist and active. It can be applied daily or on an as-needed basis following hard training or racing, and the same creamy clay doubles as a hoof pack for sore or stone-bruised feet. Because it goes on smooth and lifts off cleanly, grooms can sweat a leg overnight and have it stand up cleaner the next morning. One verbatim caution from the label: "Not for use on horses intended for food."

McTarnahans R/T Epsom Poultice with Epsom salt drawing agent for hoof and joint pain

Who is McTarnahans® built for?

Standardbred and Thoroughbred barns, sport-horse strings, eventers, and weekend competitors all use the Original to cool legs, draw out inflammation, and "get your horse back on the track or in the ring faster." It is the everyday, no-medication workhorse of the McTarnahans® line — the jar a barn keeps within arm's reach for routine post-work cooling. For more targeted needs, the same family offers the R/T Cooling, R/T Epsom (Epsom-salt drawing agent for muscle, joint, and hoof pain), and R/T Medicated formulas.

Who makes it, and how long have they been at it?
McTarnahans® is owned and distributed by Jacks Inc., a family business founded in 1971 by Greek immigrant Jack Balahtsis on the belief that "the success of his company would be based on honesty, quality, service and fair prices." Now run by his children Steve Balahtsis and Dede Dean with the third generation involved, Jacks is a globally recognized manufacturer and distributor across the Standardbred, Thoroughbred, and broader equine and pet industries. The Original Poultice is made in the USA and is now registered with Canada Health under the "Lrvhp" program, so it can ship to Canada.

What sizes can you buy, and where?
The R/T Original Poultice comes in 5 lb (SKU 1858), 12 lb (SKU 1465), 23 lb (SKU 1466), and 46 lb (SKU 1467) tubs — small jars for a one-horse program up to the big bucket for a busy training barn. It is carried by Jacks Inc. at WWW.Jacksmfg.COM and by tack and vet retailers including FarmVet and Tractor Supply Co., with typical retail running about $27.99 for the 12 lb and $45.99 for the 23 lb. Jacks Inc. can be reached at (toll-free) or, and the product carries a satisfaction guarantee.

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The Solution Section (FAQ)

What makes this product different from other options?

This long lasting medicated poultice rinses off without damaging newly healed tissue and skin. McTarnahans R/T Cooling Poultice (23lb Pail) McTarnahans R/T Cooling Poultice is a ready to use poultice with a unique creamy consistency making it very easy to apply.

How does this product help horses or owners?

It reduces swelling and provides cooling relief from muscular aches and pains due to over-exertion and fatigue. This long lasting medicated poultice rinses off without damaging newly healed tissue and skin.

What does this product offer?

Applies as smooth as cake frosting, stays moist longer and provides a longer lasting cooling effect while still maintaining maximum drawing properties. This is a ready to use Poultice with a unique creamy consistency making it very easy to apply.

How do you use this product?

This is a ready to use Poultice with a unique creamy consistency making it very easy to apply. Developed to hold moisture longer and provide potent drawing properties to reduce inflammation and traumatic swelling.

What is McTarnahans® R/T Original Poultice used for?

It is used to temporarily relieve heat, inflammation, and soreness from a horse's body or hooves. It is most often applied to legs, tendons, and joints after hard work, and the same clay can be used as a hoof pack. Trainers use it to help cool a horse out and get it back on the track or in the ring faster.

What does the "R/T" stand for?

R/T means ready-to-use. Unlike powdered poultices that you mix with water yourself, the R/T Original arrives already at the right creamy, frosting-smooth consistency. You simply open the tub and apply it directly, which saves time and gives a consistent pack every application.

What are the ingredients in the Original Poultice?

According to the label, it contains Deionized Water, Kaolin, Glycerine, Boric Acid, Aloe Vera, Ferrous Sulfate, Peppermint Oil, Methyl Paraben, and Propyl Paraben. Kaolin clay provides the drawing action, glycerine and aloe keep the pack moist and gentle on skin, and peppermint oil delivers the cooling sensation. The parabens act as preservatives to keep the product stable in the tub.

How do I apply McTarnahans® R/T Original Poultice?

Clean the affected area first, then apply the poultice evenly over the leg, joint, or sole. Cover it with poultice paper to keep the pack moist and active so it works longer. It can be applied daily or on an as-needed basis following training or racing.

Why cover the poultice with paper?

Poultice paper traps moisture against the clay so the pack stays wet and continues drawing heat and inflammation instead of drying out and crumbling off. The R/T Original is formulated to stay moist longer, and the paper extends that working window even further. After paper, many grooms add a standing wrap to hold everything in place overnight.

Can it be used as a hoof pack?

Yes. The same creamy clay is suitable for packing into the sole of the hoof to draw heat and soreness, which is why it is described as relieving soreness from the horse's body or hooves. Cover the packed sole to keep it in place and moist. For abscess-style drawing, the McTarnahans® R/T Epsom Poultice is the variant specifically built around Epsom salt as a drawing agent.

How is the Original different from the Medicated, Cooling, and Epsom versions?

The R/T Original is the everyday, no-medication clay poultice for routine cooling and drawing. The R/T Cooling adds an enhanced cooling effect from a special blend of clays, absorbents, and oils; the R/T Medicated is aimed at reducing swelling and cooling muscular aches from overexertion and fatigue; and the R/T Epsom is built around Epsom salt as a potent drawing agent for muscle, joint, and hoof pain, including abscesses. All four come from the same McTarnahans® race-track line.

What sizes does it come in?

It is offered in 5 lb, 12 lb, 23 lb, and 46 lb tubs. The smaller jars suit a one- or two-horse owner, while the 46 lb bucket is sized for a busy training or show barn that poultices legs daily. The corresponding Jacks Inc. SKUs are 1858 (5 lb), 1465 (12 lb), 1466 (23 lb), and 1467 (46 lb).

How much does it cost?

Pricing varies by retailer, but typical retail at tack and vet suppliers runs around $27.99 for the 12 lb tub and $45.99 for the 23 lb tub, with the 5 lb and 46 lb priced below and above that range. Jacks Inc.'s own wholesale site shows pricing after login. The product carries a satisfaction guarantee.

Who makes McTarnahans® poultice?

It is owned and distributed by Jacks Inc. of Washington Court House, Ohio. Jacks Inc. is a globally recognized manufacturer and distributor of equine products, founded in 1971, that also owns brands including Featherweight, Enjoy Yums, and 5/A Baker®. The McTarnahans® line is its dedicated turf-remedy and medicated-formula family for the Standardbred and Thoroughbred world.

How long has Jacks Inc. been in business?

Jacks Inc. was founded in 1971 by Jack Balahtsis, a Greek immigrant who built the company on honesty, quality, service, and fair prices. He retired in 2012, passing leadership to his children Steve Balahtsis and Dede Dean, and third-generation family members are now involved. That multi-generation continuity is part of why McTarnahans® is described as trusted by trainers for generations.

Is the Original Poultice safe to use on a regular basis?

Yes. It is designed to be applied daily or on an as-needed basis after training or racing, which is exactly the routine cooling role most barns use it for. Because it stays moist and lifts off cleanly, it is well suited to nightly use on legs that work hard. As with any topical, apply to clean skin and discontinue if irritation appears.

Are there any cautions or warnings?

The label states plainly: "Not for use on horses intended for food." As with all poultices, apply only to clean, intact skin, avoid open wounds unless directed by your veterinarian, and keep the product out of the horse's eyes and mouth. If you are unsure whether poulticing is appropriate for a particular injury, consult your veterinarian.

Why does it apply "as smooth as cake frosting"?

The R/T Original is pre-blended to a creamy, spreadable consistency rather than a stiff or gritty paste, which is the comparison Jacks uses to describe how easily it goes on. The glycerine and water content keep it soft and workable so it coats a leg evenly with minimal effort. That smooth texture also makes it easier to remove cleanly the next day.

Can it be shipped to Canada?

Yes. The product is now registered with Canada Health under the "LRVHP" program, which specifically allows it to be shipped to Canada. It is also made in the USA. Canadian customers should still confirm shipping options with their retailer or with Jacks Inc.

How do I contact Jacks Inc. about McTarnahans® products?

Jacks Inc. can be reached toll-free at 877-335-5121 or locally at 740-335-5121, and its full catalog is online at WWW.JACKSMFG.COM. The company is based in Washington Court House, Ohio. You can also buy the R/T Original through equine retailers such as FarmVet and Tractor Supply Co.

Does the poultice contain any drawing or cooling agents beyond clay?

Yes. Beyond the Kaolin clay that does the primary drawing, the Original includes peppermint oil for a cooling sensation, aloe vera and glycerine to keep skin comfortable and the pack moist, and boric acid and ferrous sulfate in the blend. That combination is what gives it a longer-lasting cooling effect while still maintaining maximum drawing properties, the two qualities trainers value most in a leg poultice.