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Horse bandaging: explained step by step | MHS Equestrian
Bandages are used with great regularity in equestrian sports. Bandages are wraps that are placed around the lower leg of the horse. These can consist of different materials and are available in all kinds of different colors. Bandages are often made from fleece or cotton and have a length of around 3 to 4 meters. You will need one bandage for each leg.
Why bandages?
While walking, some horses tap themselves with the hooves. This can be on the hoof, but also higher on the leg. If your horse is wearing bandages, this serves as a protective layer and the chance of a wound or bruising is reduced. In addition, bandages can also be used to support the legs or against swelling.
How to start
If you want to use bandages, it is important that you wrap them around your horse's legs in a correct and neat way. If this does not happen, the bandage can irritate and cause damage to the legs.
Usually you start with bottom flap. Stand next to the leg of your horse and lay the piece at the height of the front knee up to and including the bullet. Let the shortest side of the bottom edge point up. With the long side you wrap the leg. Then wrap the bottom flap clockwise around the leg. The last part of the piece must be on the outside of the leg at the end of the wrapping.
Make sure that the lower flap is firm but not too tight around the leg. The bottom cover forms the bottom layer for your bandage. If this is too loose, the bandages can shift.
Now continue with the bandages. Hold the lower flap with one hand and place the end of the bandage on the outside of the leg, just below the upper edge of the lower flap. Make sure that you always keep the roll on the outside when winding. This way you prevent the closures at the end from being on the wrong side.
Also wrap the bandages clockwise around the leg. Wrap from top to bottom and slightly overlap the top layer every time you work down. Also make sure that the bandage is firm but not too tight around the leg. If you are at the bottom, you still have a portion of bandage left. Wrap it up again around the leg. At the top you have enough bandage to neatly cover the still excellent bottom lap.
Are bandages bad for your horse's legs?
Recently it has been said that bandages are not nearly as good for the legs of your horse as was thought. For years, bandages were used to support the tendons in the legs of a horse. What seems; More recent research has shown that the support that a bandage offers is negligible.
The biggest issue with the use of bandages (and other leg protection) is the temperature of the leg. It is important that the muscles and tendons in the legs can lose their heat while driving. But protection is also important! To prevent legs from staying warm for too long, it is best to remove the protective layer as quickly as possible when it is no longer needed. In addition, it is wise to pay attention to what material the leg protection you use is made of. Preferably choose a breathable material.
This text was translated by Google
Source: PaardenPro