Bandage Phobia

[LJN]

My horse recently had to have his hind legs bandaged (with pads) to treat an injury - about five mins after turning him out it became clear he was not happy in them at all and we decided to take them off before he hurt himself. I am hoping to take him to an event soon, but the traveling involves a few hours in a horsebox, and a ferry trip, so I thought I would try bandaging his legs without the pads just to try and get him used to having something on his legs - again he lost the plot and had to be rescued before he hurt himself.

Has anyone got any ideas of how to stop him reacting like this? He wears protectors on all four legs when I exercise him and has no problems. I know lots of people don't bother with travel boots, but he is still quite young and sometimes unpredictable... And I worry a lot!

 

[BigRed]

I would practise because one day he may need a bandage, but there are loads of travel boots on the market that have velcro tabs on them, so I don't see the problem in using them. If he is used to exercise boots, he should not object to travel boots.

 

[be positive]

For travelling could you just use his usual work boots, they would offer some protection and be safer than having a panic in something new.

I would try to get him used to wearing bandages or travel boots, they may be easier to get on and off to start with although can cause more reaction if too long, start with just his fronts in a safe place walking round until he is happy. Then introduce hinds again just walk round before removing them, once he relaxes you could leave them on in his stable for a while, eating his hay as he would when travelling, it may be that if he is not running round the field he will not worry and just accept them.