How to fit poultices and bandages

By Your Horse

How to...

19 May 2009 09:37

All horse owners should be able to fit a bandage or poultice correctly. Poultices are a form of heated dressing, which help to draw out infection and clean wounds. Here’s how to fit one:

1 Clean the foot, assessing the extent of any damage to the underside. If the wound is deep or there seems to be an object imbedded, call a vet.

2 Cut the poultice to fit the underside of the hoof.

3 Soak the poultice, usually in warm water (follow the instructions on the pack carefully). Squeeze excess water out, then press it into the foot, plastic side up.

4 Place cotton wool over the plastic and around the hoof and pastern, and bandage the whole hoof with adhesive bandage, finishing with adhesive tape to keep everything in place.

Fitting a bandage…

1 Clean the wound (as mentioned previously) applying wound gel and a sterile wound dressing. If it’s severe, don’t attempt to bandage and call your vet.

2 Wrap gamgee around the leg (not too much) so it overlaps. It should pad over areas such as the fetlock but not restrict or chafe joints such as the knee or hock.

3 Use adhesive bandage to secure the gamgee (not too tight) leaving a gap at the top and bottom of the gamgee. Check and change every 12-24 hours

The information in this feature is a guide, and you should always contact your vet if in doubt of any injury.