bandages not boots cross country

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Could you use bandages cross country. Taped securely of course. I can't find boots that don't slip.

What type would you use? Elastic? Fleece?
 
I did this a few times but stopped when I was told during the tack check that I couldn't go XC in bandages so had to remove them and have never used them since!
 
You used to be able to get things to go under bandages (porters?) but I'm not sure if anyone makes that sort of thing any more. I've seen bandages that are supposed not to hold water, for use xc etc. Certainly wouldn't use fleece though. :)
 
[deleted user] said:
Beau bear that's really interesting! Didn't know that!
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Neither did I, hence the sudden panic to whip them off! It was only at a PC event and I'd worn them at previous events with no problem but I figured I'd have to get boots anyway in case it happened again.

Incidently, I also have a cob with short but very thick legs, I've got him the premier equine boots which seem to fit ok but not as well as I'd like - they don't seem to cause him any problem though.
 
I would never use bandages cross country, even if they were taped.

IMO they do not offer enough protection in the event your horse leaves a leg or hits a jump. Also as has previously been said, they would soak up a lot of water and become heavy as a result.
 
Thank you Beausmate for reminding me the name of Porter boots as I used them a lot for XC many years back and was trying to recall what they were called.
To [deleted user] - bandaging for exercise is a great alternative to boots if horses have reactions, sore, or react to neoprene and other reasons. Using Porter boot equivalent under say a Saratoga bandage is excellent. I sometimes cut tubigrip to size and put over lower leg smoothly, wrap porter boot round and fold tubigrip over top below knee then bandage with close even pressure - with practice they are good and not risky - used many years for top level eventing, and in those days elastic bandages were used with ties but now Velcro is easier & safer.
Bandaging must be practiced lots for even pressure - not loose, not too tight but well secured. For XC you can over stitch bandage or fix with gaffa tape but do secure ;)
 
Not a chance I would risk bandages XC! Even taped the risk of them becoming unravelled is huge! Did you not see the rider at Badminton whose bandage started flapping about after the water....eeek :( the thought of a horse getting its legs tangled in a flapping bandage makes me feel sick.
Also not forgetting that as well as absorbing a lot of water they will heat up the tendons a huge amount.

There is no ruling anywhere though about not being allowed to go XC in bandages....I suspect that steward was just as paranoid as me about them & so didn't want you to use them :D
 
I was also going to bring up the Badminton scene - had my heart in my mouth when I watched that, they were incredibly lucky! I personally wouldn't risk bandaging for XC, due to the unravelling risk & the fact that they absorb so much water. I also don't think bandaging could offer enough protection in the event of a serious knock - though I completely understand how frustrating it is to find some XC boots that fit correctly - I swear I tried 99% of brands before I found some that fitted my mare!
 
Yes I watched the Badminton scene and 'cringed'!! to put this correctly - those bandages were obviously not correctly applied and were definitely not sewn as sewing over correctly applied bandages does not come undone.
Its like saying I saw a driver enter the motorway and cause an accident so I'm never driving on Motorways!
Though bandaging must be correctly done, not just any old how and slapped on, I've been teaching BHS levels and in other countries for decades and Porter boots applied under do not gather water - it depends on the type of over bandage used - Mine did not get wet than many boots (I now use New Equine Wear boots in Australia for xc as many boots don't breath enough and get wet and drag down (equally dangerous).
I was referring to bandaging in XC used by many top eventers in their day and never saw one come unravelled until that Badminton incident so I think people are not skilled in how to bandage. Also whether they get hot or not depends on what padding is used.

Stitching is done in large cross stitch - stitching bandage to padding up the leg using large needle but again has to be done safely.
If in doubt how to do correctly - use boots!
 
Tigerjilly said:
Yes I watched the Badminton scene and 'cringed'!! to put this correctly - those bandages were obviously not correctly applied and were definitely not sewn as sewing over correctly applied bandages does not come undone.
Its like saying I saw a driver enter the motorway and cause an accident so I'm never driving on Motorways!
Though bandaging must be correctly done, not just any old how and slapped on, I've been teaching BHS levels and in other countries for decades and Porter boots applied under do not gather water - it depends on the type of over bandage used - Mine did not get wet than many boots (I now use New Equine Wear boots in Australia for xc as many boots don't breath enough and get wet and drag down (equally dangerous).
I was referring to bandaging in XC used by many top eventers in their day and never saw one come unravelled until that Badminton incident so I think people are not skilled in how to bandage. Also whether they get hot or not depends on what padding is used.

Stitching is done in large cross stitch - stitching bandage to padding up the leg using large needle but again has to be done safely.
If in doubt how to do correctly - use boots!
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I don't really agree with your motorway comparison TBH I'd rather liken it more to 'I saw someone who didn't check their mirrors almost have an accident on the motorway, my choices are to not drive on a motorway again (I.e not go XC) or always make sure I check my mirrors correctly.

The reason most top riders no longer use bandages & porter boots are they don't provide as much protection as modern boots, they could possibly unravel & there is evidence that bandages heat up tendons which can weaken them.
I too remember the old days of stitching up bandages but I'd much rather stick to the modern boots. As you rightly say if they aren't done properly then there is the chance of them coming undone. Not a risk I'm prepared to take lol....especially if a 4* event rider gets it wrong what chance do I have :D
 
Completely off topic, but how classy is that grey!! Just made it look like he was popping round an Intro!

GP - it would have been the groom and I'd be surprised if they didn't get a serious rollocking after that..
 
What I wanted to clarify is the original post was someone asking alternatives to boots and I'd say seek a professional coach in HM to teach you to bandage well, use good padding cut to fit or gamgee as bresths well, research bandaging & types. Also maybe try special airflow boots. i have one horse with severe neoprene reactions. New Equine Wear airflow don't cause issues though most other boots he blisters badly and legs swell up to twice the size so sometimes yes other options are necessary but get pro advice and not necessarily riders at top level as was shown at Badminton ;)
 
Broke_But_Happy said:
Completely off topic, but how classy is that grey!! Just made it look like he was popping round an Intro!

GP - it would have been the groom and I'd be surprised if they didn't get a serious rollocking after that..
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It wasn't the groom who applied the bandages. The rider made that clear on Twitter after the event.
 
I do (very low level - my limit as a just-for-fun leisure rider!) cross country in bandages rather than boots. I use a non-absorbent 'underlay' and elastic type (not fleece) bandages over. I've never had one come loose let alone off. They haven't been any wetter than a lot of boots I've seen either. I've been searching recently to replace my 'underlay' and buy extra for my second horse but can't seem to find any suitable anywhere so not sure what I will do when it has worn out. Do get someone to show you how to bandage first if you aren't sure, better to ask than to have an accident as there is a knack to it :)
 
Hey - Woof wear do a boot underlay that might work under bandages - thin but non absorbent and i googled on Porter Boots from a web link above and found someone else now making similar in UK. Will try find link and pass on, or look back on this thread & there is a web link somewhere up there re Porter Boots.
Re post before - I thought rider would have done her own bandages as most pro riders tend to do own bandaging or boots prior to XC, just to be sure. Did bandage come right off? Or did she have to pull up? We never saw more on TV coverage.
 
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