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Sore No-More® Performance Poultice — Health (Herbal arnica cooling clay that draws out heat — no wrap required)

Sore No-More® Performance Poultice

Herbal arnica cooling clay that draws out heat — no wrap required.

Want a 100% herbal poultice you can leave on your horse longer without irritation?

Reviewed by Ann Pruitt, InfoHorse.com · Updated May 2026
Veterinarian and owner checking over a bay horse at the barn, the kind of equine athlete Sore No-More Performance Poultice is made for
Veterinarian and owner checking over a bay horse at the barn, the kind of equine athlete Sore No-More Performance Poultice is made for

When a hard-working horse finishes a tough session, the heat and tightness in the legs tell you everything. Sore No-More® Performance Poultice answers it the natural way: a smooth, herbal arnica cooling clay that pulls heat, toxins, and fluid out of the leg while it stimulates circulation and cools the area. Built for the equine athlete and made by Arenus Animal Health, it has been a barn-shelf staple for performance riders who want real recovery without harsh chemistry.

Sore No-More Performance Poultice 5 lb tub of arnica cooling clay from Arenus Animal Health
Sore No-More Performance Poultice 5 lb tub of arnica cooling clay from Arenus Animal Health

What sets this poultice apart is what is not in it. There is no menthol, no capsaicin, and none of the sulfates, parabens, or synthetic additives that make so many topicals risky to leave on. The base is high-grade bentonite (Bowie Type) clay blended with a proprietary extract of witch hazel bark and leaves, arnica, rosemary, lavender, and anti-inflammatory comfrey. The result is silky, nonirritating, and gentle enough to spread with your bare hands — no gloves, no burning, no blistering.

What does Sore No-More Performance Poultice actually do?

The clay goes to work the moment it touches the leg. It rapidly draws out heat, toxins, and excess fluid while cooling the surface and encouraging healthy circulation, which is exactly what swollen ankles, cannon bones, knees, and hocks need after exertion. Use it before work to limber tired muscles, and use it again afterward to speed recovery and tighten legs overnight. It doubles as a hoof pack and a drawing agent for abscesses, bruises, and bacterial or fungal infections — one tub covers a surprising range of barn jobs.

Sore No-More Performance Poultice 23 lb bucket showing the full herbal arnica cooling clay ingredient label
Sore No-More Performance Poultice 23 lb bucket showing the full herbal arnica cooling clay ingredient label

Why can you skip the wrap?

Most cooling poultices rely on irritating actives, so leaving them uncovered or unattended risks a chemical burn. Sore No-More Performance Poultice is one of the very few that is safe to use without paper, plastic, or a standing bandage at all. Apply a thin, even layer to clean, dry skin and walk away — there is no risk of burning or irritation even over long periods. When you do want maximum heat exchange, you can still wrap it under paper or plastic; plastic increases the cooling draw. Either way it brushes or rinses off cleanly when you are done.

Made for competition, trusted by professionals

Sore No-More is part of a natural topical family that performance barns have leaned on for years, and the Performance Poultice is formulated without any ingredients on the FEI's prohibited list — so it fits the same recovery routine you would run at a regulated show. Arenus Animal Health builds the line around veterinary-grade, all-natural formulas for the equine athlete, giving competitors a clay they can use the night before a class and trust to leave the horse comfortable, cool, and ready to go.

Bay horse standing in a sunlit paddock at a performance barn alongside the Sore No-More natural topical line from Arenus
Bay horse standing in a sunlit paddock at a performance barn alongside the Sore No-More natural topical line from Arenus
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The Solution Section (FAQ)
What is in Sore No-More Performance Poultice?

It combines high-grade bentonite (Bowie Type) clay with a proprietary extract of witch hazel bark and leaves, arnica (Arnica montana), rosemary, lavender, and anti-inflammatory comfrey, with sodium borate as a preservative. There are no harsh chemicals, sulfates, parabens, or synthetic additives, and no menthol or capsaicin.

Can I really use it without a wrap?

Yes. This is one of the very few poultices safe to leave uncovered. Because it contains no irritating herbs, a thin layer can sit on clean, dry skin for long periods with no risk of burning or irritation. You can also wrap it under paper or plastic for greater heat exchange — plastic increases the cooling draw.

How do I apply it?

Spread a thin, even layer directly onto clean, dry legs — ankles, cannon bones, knees, and hocks — before and after exercise. For the hoof, pack it directly onto a clean, dry sole, frog, and hoof wall. It goes on smoothly enough to use with your bare hands.

Will it help with heat and swelling after hard work?

That is its core job. The clay rapidly draws out heat, toxins, and fluid while cooling the area and stimulating circulation, helping reduce swelling in legs, ankles, knees, and hocks and tightening tired legs as the horse recovers.

Can it be used on hooves and abscesses?

Yes. It works as a hoof pack and as a drawing agent for abscesses, bruises, and bacterial or fungal infections. A protective boot or wrap is recommended over the hoof after application.

Is it safe for sensitive horses?

It is made with soothing, all-natural ingredients and will not burn or irritate even with extended skin contact, which makes it a good fit for sensitive-skinned horses. It is for external use only — do not apply it to open wounds.

Is it legal for competition?

The Performance Poultice is formulated without any ingredients on the FEI's prohibited substances list, so it fits a recovery routine used around regulated competition. Always confirm against the current rules of your specific governing body and event.

How does it differ from the rest of the Sore No-More line?

This is the clay poultice in the Sore No-More natural topical family — the format you spread on and draw heat out with. The broader Sore No-More line also includes liniments and gel/lotion topicals for different uses; the Performance Poultice is the cooling, drawing clay specifically.

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Ann Pruitt
Contact Ann Pruitt
InfoHorse.com