McW
Well-Known Member
I would like your tips please... on bandaging for exercise. Especially for a brusher if you can. Thanks.
Give me your bandaging tips please
- Thread starter McW
- Start date
Sprig
Well-Known Member
Why do you want to bandage? Much better to use well fitting brushing boots in my opinion.
spotty_pony
...
For exercising bandages, you need to bandage from just below the knee to just below the Pastern to support the joint (not around the fetlock) Bandage with even pressure and roll onto the leg, don't pull it around as this can damage the the tendons. Make sure it isn't too tight (you should still be able to fit a finger comfortably all the way around) but it shouldn't be too loose either or else it is likely to slip or rub. Any fastenings should be fastened neatly on the outside of the leg. If using nylon type exercise bandages, you will need to use something underneath to offer support (such as a small square of gamgee) Fleece polo wraps are easier to use as you can bandage straight onto the leg without having to use gamgee.
Hope this helps
Hope this helps
McW
Well-Known Member
He uses brushing boots as he is a brusher for most everyday work for more advanced flatwork I have used sports boots but he rubs the stitching off the velcro straps on his sport booths (premier equine) so for flatwork I would prefer more support than just brushing boots.
Thanks Spottypony!
Dizzydancer
Well-Known Member
There is plenty of evidence bandages provide no extra support than boots- and boots provide protection not support. Its all in our heads. Like always bandage both front legs if one injured its pointless makes no odds now according to vet research.
Marydoll
Well-Known Member
Im another who would boot rather than bandage for exercise, especially for a brusher.
This is how ive been taught to do it when ive used them in the past, Personally i always use a pad underneath, not a big fan of polo bandages.
After putting your gamgee on start your bandage below the knee running the same way as your overlap of gamgee, makes it easier to keep pad in place and prevents skin shearing. Getting the tensioning right is the biggie for me and tbh i think that comes from experience, to tight is as dangerous as to slack, as you wrap around, dont pull tight, but it needs to be firm, your overlap should be 50% on each turn, the bandaging should stop just at the base of the fetlock where it meets the pastern and if you can manage an inverted v at the front this helps allow the joint to flex, you need to allow the joint to work properly especially for exercise and over bandaging, or to tight impedes this. As others have said you should be able to get a finger in all round when fastened in place, ideally fastening should be to the outside, and not on the structures at the back of the leg, or the cannon bone.
I personally dont think its worth the hassle when theres so many decent boots to choose from out there
Its a useful skill to have, to be able to bandage securely and safely, but done badly and it can be disasterous, if in doubt get an experienced knowledgable person to show you, if you plan to go through water, some bandages can shrink and tighten, and if wet can increase your risk of rubs if done poorly
This is how ive been taught to do it when ive used them in the past, Personally i always use a pad underneath, not a big fan of polo bandages.
After putting your gamgee on start your bandage below the knee running the same way as your overlap of gamgee, makes it easier to keep pad in place and prevents skin shearing. Getting the tensioning right is the biggie for me and tbh i think that comes from experience, to tight is as dangerous as to slack, as you wrap around, dont pull tight, but it needs to be firm, your overlap should be 50% on each turn, the bandaging should stop just at the base of the fetlock where it meets the pastern and if you can manage an inverted v at the front this helps allow the joint to flex, you need to allow the joint to work properly especially for exercise and over bandaging, or to tight impedes this. As others have said you should be able to get a finger in all round when fastened in place, ideally fastening should be to the outside, and not on the structures at the back of the leg, or the cannon bone.
I personally dont think its worth the hassle when theres so many decent boots to choose from out there
Its a useful skill to have, to be able to bandage securely and safely, but done badly and it can be disasterous, if in doubt get an experienced knowledgable person to show you, if you plan to go through water, some bandages can shrink and tighten, and if wet can increase your risk of rubs if done poorly
apple88
Well-Known Member
I have no great opinions on bandages vs boots. I use both (mainly boots at the mo as too wet and I school in a field!)
But I went to a vet lecture on Monday night on sport horse injuries. The vet said there that bandages don't support the tendons as in flexion, the tendon elongates and becomes thinner and thus the bandage slacks. He said they were good for preventing a sudden injury where a back leg or other horse may strike the tendon in full flexion and cause it to snap.
Re OP, practice lots, nice even pressure and a good rub of the tendon when removing them to encourage blood flow.
But I went to a vet lecture on Monday night on sport horse injuries. The vet said there that bandages don't support the tendons as in flexion, the tendon elongates and becomes thinner and thus the bandage slacks. He said they were good for preventing a sudden injury where a back leg or other horse may strike the tendon in full flexion and cause it to snap.
Re OP, practice lots, nice even pressure and a good rub of the tendon when removing them to encourage blood flow.