Hot V Cold legs?

[MagicMelon]

Ive been reading about people bandaging / booting in the stable to keep legs warm. Now, Ive always thought its bad to boot up because it heats the leg up? Is there actually a reason legs NEED to be kept warm? Surely being cold is more beneficial?

 

[kerilli]

i think a lot of people bandage to help circulation, but i would much much rather be able to see what's going on. i don't bandage at all, i prefer the air to get to the horse's legs and for them to stay at a normal temperature.
as regards it being bad to boot up because it heats the leg up, i think damage is only done to tendons if they have very hot boots or bandages on for extended periods while working at speed - literally cooking the tendons. tendon tissue in foals withstands much higher temperatures (e.g. in the womb, where it is very hot) than that of mature horses. will have to dig out notes from lecture i went to on it, but the temperature at which tendon tissue starts breaking down was surprisingly, frighteningly low...
i think legs being cold is more beneficial, and if the horse's body is warm enough, he won't feel the cold. they don't have extremeties like us, freezing toes etc!

 

[miller]

I only bandage or boot since horse had lymphangitis - due to damaged lymph nodes his legs fill if I don't.

It was advised by my vet who is a former FEI panel vet and lameness expert

 

[YorkshireLass]

It is important only to cover the legs if there is a medical need for it, ie, poor circulation or arthritic joints etc. Then it is a case of bandaging etc being the lesser evil.

Bandaging also carries a risk of injury from pressure points developing and entanglement. Definately not worth risking unless there is a medical need.

 

[vicijp]

Warmth improves circulation. However improving is only necessary if the circulation is compromised in the first place, so shouldn't be done needlessly.
Overheating is damaging, which is why I can't understand all these neoprene lined boots being used.