Bandages for turnout?

Jim bob

Well-Known Member
Joined
2 March 2015
Messages
335
Visit site
Okay, so.

Recently my horse has been diagnosed with having lymphangitis. My vet has suggest continuing to cold hose, stable bandage when in , but also bandage legs when turned out?

My horse is a accident prone tb, the previous 2 nights has come in from the field with small cuts. I know its the bandages in the field for the pressure but I was wondering. Who you put bandages to turn out rather then boot up?
 
My normal answer would be NO, but it is difficult as it is what the vet suggests.

I would if it were for a few hours, supervised.

If it were for longer then I would still follow the vets instructions for pressure, but would use stable boots. The kind with padding under, and that put even pressure. TBH, I always use these instead of bandages even in the stable, there is less likelihood of uneven pressure, and of problems if the horse investigates removing the irritating article around his legs.

I have found you can even use them to hold dressings, ice packs and the like, as they are shaped around the fetlock/pastern so stuff does not fall out!
 
I have used bandages in the field under vets advice. Can you put gamgee underneath and supervise him/her for a couple of hours at a time? Speak to your vet if you don't feel comfortable and ask about the equichaps or stable bandages instead maybe?
 
Be very cautious with this.
If a bandage comes undone and gets trodden on/pulled tight it can do damage.

If you are going to bandage (which I personally wouldn't) then I'd heavily tape over the top.
 
I would put a layer of vet wrap over the top, not too tight.

I wouldn't personally bandage for turnout out, however if this what the Vet had advised then the horse is better out than in.
 
I'd bandage with a self adhesive vet wrap bandage. These are the ones that stick to itself, but aren't sticky like Elastoplast, and could probably get 2 uses out of each bandage. Would need ample padding underneath though! If you then taped the top with Elastoplast, I'd think it should be pretty sturdy, as long as the horse wasn't belting around. I've wrapped many leg wounds on horses living out 24/7 like this, and have never had one shift.
 
Could you make some leg wraps! Out of some very strong material and Velcro put this over the bandages. Or electric tape we used to use it on horse bandages to go XC.
 
other idea, something like the equilibrium flatwork wraps might work, it's probably got a bit more pressure than turnout wraps and stays on well. Whatever option you choose, probably worth checking it's ok with the vet as am guessing putting something that does not give the right amount of pressure would defeat the purpose.
 
Most definitely not, too risky, they could easily slip or come undone. Especially with lymphangitis where swollen legs then reduce in size. You'd have bandages hanging around in various stages of louise or coming undone

Try using a boot with good Velcro fastening.
 
For the moment I haven't been putting bandages on him during turnout because I cant be around to rescue him mainly! I have ordered some turnout socks for him though.
 
When I worked on a rehab yard, and then later when I had my own yard specialising in box rests, we would occasionally turn out in bandages. Horses went out on a small flat paddock visible from the yard and my kitchen window. Bandages were heavily taped up using tensoplast rather than bandage tape, and horses were regularly checked.

We never had a problem.
 
I've used fleece polo type bandages tons of times over padding and turned out as normal when horses recovering from injury or my old girl needed more warmth for her arthritis..oops! Both are breedy warmbloods so not sensible, particularly the young one who throws impressive shapes, but have never had a single problem.

I highly recommend Premier Equine turnout boots though as an alternative.
 
Top