Gel tail bandages? Or suggest an alternative?

milliepops

milliepops

Wears headscarf aggressively
Joined
26 July 2008
Messages
27,531
Visit site
Need to find something to protect Kira's tail in the lorry. She sits on her tail so it gets all scrubbed if I don't put anything on. Normal bandages get wrinkled up. Up to now I've been using a standard padded guard with elastic/Velcro straps done as loosely as I can get away with. But recently I've noticed she's getting a sore patch just under her tail at the dock so that must be rubbing her now :(

Wondering whether to splash out on a gel bandage. They're quite pricey so thought I'd see if anyone had used them or if there's something else I haven't thought of?
 
I have similar issue and find using standard tail bandage under padded Velcro tail wrap works well keeps rail safe and protects the dock from the straps. Not had any rubbing doing this so maybe worth a try before buying gel bandage
 
I have the exact same issue with Fergus - even with a bandage under a guard. Haven't found a solution yet.
 
Ben is the same totally scrubs his tail, added to the complication is the fact that he often poos liquid when travelling. I kid you not, I have pulled him off the lorry to find a soaked tail - I even tried tail bags for that - he pooed inside the bag. Tail bandages just twist up. I tried numerous things and found the following solution. I plait the entire tail in two plaits, fold these upwards against the dock, then I wrap in vetwrap - not too tight but secure enough. I then cover with a padded tail guard. Tried and tested, comes off the lorry or trailer with a clean, tidy and un-rubbed tail. It does mean using and disposing of vet wrap, but one roll will do about three journeys as I don't bandage the way home.
 
Standard tail bandage plus de boiz tail guard for us.

Bit different as we travel in a trailer so I wrapped the breach bar in an old squishy gym mat, that's what made the biggest difference. Any way you can cover the lorry wall with something softer?
 
I was given a gel wrap as a present. I like it, it’s quick and easy to put on and doesn’t seem to rub or catch. Washes easily. It’s can be a bit tricky to handle - bit like handling cling film as it likes sticking to itself!
 
I used a gel tail bandage on my Dales pony and it was a disaster. The skin on his croup broke open in four places and the underside of his dock was raw. It required vet treatment. The bandage also started to disintegrate into sticky little bits as I took it off. I don't think I applied too much pressure when putting it on but may have done. I sent a report and pictures to the manufacturers suggesting they provide instructions for proper use on the packaging but they didn't respond.
 
I found you needed a tail bandage over the gel to protect it or it just fell apart. I use Shires thick neoprene tail guards now and think they are fab.
 
I used the snuggy hoods padded one with success for Topaz as she gets rubs. Though travel with nothing these days and she has stopped sitting on her bum?
 
Mixed reviews then!

I can't put anything on the lorry, it's just smooth stockboard as it is so not going to improve it much and she sits on her bum and scrubs it into a right mess so going without anything is not really an option... Reluctant to use another guard with straps as it's the straps that are causing the problem. Hmmmm. Back to the drawing board! Thanks all :)
 
Hi, I had terrible troube with my gelding with this, he was rubbing his tail until it bled, everything slipped down as he leans on his bum as soon as the box moves, I now use an Acavallo gel wrap with a De Boiz tail guard over the top and haven’t had a moments trouble since, I think the de Boiz would work without the gel underneath it’s really stable but I’m too nervous to risk it just in case
 
Gosh, rather surprised to hear about the gel wraps disintegrating, I have the Acavallo one and it still looks new (had it for 18 months).
I also use this for going to shows (in some vague hope of arriving with a clean tail!) https://www.horsehealth.co.uk/horse...-guard?zenid=c8fdcaf3e39a6e357715350570cc4c25 - the padded bit wraps the whole way round so the straps aren’t directly on the horse. May be worth a try?
 
I find the neoprene tail guard works very well. The neoprene goes all the way round the tail and dock and then just velcros all the way down the long side so the velcro is not touching the horse.
 
Brill thanks everyone. Oddly enough I used to have a WW neoprene guard but I must have discarded it when I swapped to a padded one with a bag for Millie. I'd completely forgotten that they wrapped all the way round. One is heading my way in the post :)
 
I love neoprene tail guards for this but I find the velcro begins to roll back, and then the rough side rubs my horse! Really no clue what to do about this... :(
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top