boots or bandages?

[kombikids]

i haver fat unfit new horsey and am working her fairly hard compared to what shes used to (which i dont think has been much!) anyway i noticed her front legs were a little swollen at the back after a longer hack on saturday so put the cripples bio boots on her at night which made it go down.

anyway should i buy her some exercise bandages? would they provide more support than boots/wraps and prevent swelling ? what about the heat of bandages - is that ok?

 

[Paint it Lucky]

I am not a fan of exercise bandgaes but polo bandages yes I use them all the time. I would be concerned about her legs swelling, have you been working lots on hard ground? If so I would ease off or at least stick to walk where the ground is hard. You don't want to risk her getting a concussion related injury. If you've been working on soft ground and her legs have swelled it is more likely soft tissue related in which case I would be even more concerned! Don't work her too hard when she's not fit enough, build her work up gradually, no amount of leg support can substitute for proper fittening work.

 

[kombikids]

yes yes i know that!!! thanks tho - when i am saying fairly hard - i am talking 20minutes in a school,but yes she is on a boring 6 week fitness campaign with lots of active walking and odd trots, just want to know best way to support her legs.

 

[dwi]

I would have said polo bandages would be best for helping with swelling, I would see boots as more for preventing knocks

 

[Paint it Lucky]

Ok good

In that case I would use polo bandages (the fleece ones). They tend to be cooler than boots and more supportive as they can fit the leg exactly whereas with boots designed for support (sport medicine etc) I find they are rarely an exact fit (and legs tend to get hot under them).

 

[kombikids]

thanks wqill go for polo bandages - thats great - i wouldnt have thought of using them!