Bandaging: Exercise bandages

By Andrea Oakes

19 November 2009 13:50

When it comes to your horse’s legs, it pays to be handy with a bandage.

There may be a pair of boots available for almost every equestrian activity nowadays, but any riders favour the support and protection offered by leg bandages for travel and competition. And even if your horse rarely gets out and about to shows and events, you may need a little bandaging know-how if he sustains an injury or needs a period of box rest.

Exercise bandages

What they do

These stretchy bandages are applied over padding to protect the legs from bruising and brushing-type injuries. Protective boots may be easier to use, but bandages mould more closely to the leg and provide additional support for the tendons and ligaments.

However, if you choose to exercise your horse in bandages, be aware that by applying them incorrectly you might actually harm the vulnerable tendons, ligaments and nerves you’re aiming to protect. Bandages that are too tight will restrict blood supply and may cause permanent hair loss or white hairs, or even serious tendon damage. Too loose, however, and they’ll be ineffective and could slip down with movement. Take care to avoid any wrinkles, lumps or folds that could cause pressure points on the skin or underlying structures. Waterlogged bandages can become heavy across country, so consider using underbandage wraps that don’t soak up water.

And remove exercise bandages as soon as possible after the activity, as any dirt or grit that works its way underneath the layers may cause friction and lead to soreness.