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Writer's pictureEmily McGeorge

The What's and How's of Equine Leg Bandages

If you own a horse, you must be knowledgeable about the possible leg injuries that can occur in this animal. To ensure the safety and well-being of your horse, it's crucial to have a readily available first-aid kit. These kits include equine leg bandages, which serve as a protective layer of padding. These bandages play a vital role in preventing infections and protecting the horse's legs during physical exertion or transportation.


 

What's an Equine Leg Bandage?


Person wrapping equine bandage on a horse leg
source: largeanimalhospital.com

Horse or equine bandages are specifically designed to provide support and protection to the legs of the animal. These bandages, typically made from elastic materials, offer compression and play a crucial role in preventing leg injuries. They serve multiple purposes when applied to horses, such as supporting tendons and ligaments, reducing swelling, preventing injuries, and acting as a barrier against contamination to prevent infection. Equine leg bandages have three main components: the bandage itself, the dressing, and sometimes a poultice or wound dressing. Among the various types of bandages available, the stable bandage is particularly popular and is specially designed for the lower legs of the horse. Its primary function is to safeguard and protect the lower tendons from potential harm.


Different Types of Bandages


For Exercise


Bandages have various purposes in protecting and supporting a horse's legs. Exercise bandages are particularly useful during rigorous training activities. These bandages are made from a stretchy crepe-like material and are designed to provide support to the tendons, tissues, and ligaments. They're important for horses with weak legs or previous injuries. To ensure maximum comfort, exercise bandages should be used with a layer of padding underneath to reduce pressure on the horse's legs.


Standing Bandages


These horse bandages have multiple functions, including protecting the horse's legs during transportation to prevent any harm. They also offer support for dressings and help maintain cleanliness for injuries. Additionally, standing bandages aid in overall wound care and can assist in reducing swelling or inflammation after strenuous work. In certain cases, they can even protect against cuts and bruises, as well as offer warmth when needed.


Bandage Materials


Horse leg wrap
source: horseandrider.com

Bandages are made from various materials including wraps, cotton, flannels, bandaging tapes, roll gauze, Elastikon, and similar items. The padding is essential in protecting the limbs by evenly distributing pressure and allowing for proper blood flow. Generally, the longer a bandage remains in place, the more padding is required.


How to Choose the Best Material?


Determining the best material for bandaging can be challenging because of their specific functions, such as support, wound coverage, padding, and protection. It's essential to choose the right material to ensure a safe and effective bandage application. Factors to consider include the level of padding, absorbency, tendency to adhere (in the case of open wounds), breathability, and width. Typically, wound bandages have two to four layers: a sterile and non-stick absorbent dressing placed over the wound and secured with a flexible stretch gauze wrap.

A layer with plenty of padding is necessary to absorb excess fluid, which can be tied and compressed with gauze if needed. Besides that, you need to apply a support layer of self-adhesive elastic bandage. Finally, if necessary, use a protective outer layer of duct tape or electrical tape.

Thickly quilted cotton squares are a common choice as padding for stable or standing bandages. Be sure to provide padding underneath any bandage that a horse will wear for an extended period.

The outer wraps should be 7-10cm wide for even pressure distribution. Avoid using bandages that are narrower than 5cm as they can restrict blood flow to the limbs. While they may offer some flexibility, they are not elastic and can create a tourniquet effect. Tensor bandages on a horse's leg aren't a good choice as well, as they can impede blood flow. For exercise bandages, it's best to choose fleece polo wraps with Velcro fasteners.


Common Mistakes


A horse with an injured and wrapped leg
source: centrallakesequine.co.nz

One thing to keep in mind is to correctly bandage your horse's legs. If the bandage is too tight, it can lead to tendon damage, hinder movement, and impede blood circulation. Also, if the bandage is too loose, it may slip off and fail to fulfil its intended purpose. If you are uncertain about the proper technique for wrapping the bandage, it's best to seek guidance from a veterinarian or an experienced equine professional. It's crucial to practice under the supervision of a vet until you feel sufficiently confident to independently bandage your horse's legs.


Bandaging Techniques


When it comes to bandaging, it's essential to consider the specific situation and seek advice before applying a bandage or using a new bandaging product. Different situations require different types of bandages, techniques, and materials. Here are some helpful suggestions:

  • Start by ensuring that the legs and bandages are clean and dry.

  • Determine the extent of the bandage needed. Generally, stable bandages cover from slightly below the knee to just above the fetlock. However, if you are transporting or protecting a lower leg injury, the padding and wrap should extend to the heel bulb. For an exercise wrap, you may choose to wrap only the cannon bone or provide additional support by wrapping below the fetlock.

  • Make sure there is enough padding. As a general rule, the padding layer should be at least 3cm thick to provide effective cushioning and leg protection. Additionally, ensure that there is about 3cm of padding visible above and below the outer bandage.

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