Leg bandages - do you put them straight on the legs?

[trakehnersrock!]

Hi, posting this on behalf of a friend. She's not sure of the term for what some people put under leg bandages so bear with us lol
"I've seen recently riders using leg wraps (sous bandages) under polo bandages. I've been told it offers extra support and that the pressure is better distributed. I just wanted people's opinion (medical or otherwise). Do you do this? If yes, why? If not, why?"
Thanks

 

[ihatework]

For exercising no I don't.
If I bandage for exercise I just use polo's with no extra padding.
Primary reason is that I believe bandaging for exercise does not offer the leg support, just offers good coverage for knocks.

 

[Doormouse]

I'm not quite sure what you mean by leg wraps but I always use a small piece of what used to be called fibre gee I think which is essentially a very thin piece of foam. I never bandage directly on to the leg, always concerned that it is too easy to bandage too tight. If you use anything under the bandages always be careful that the join as you wrap them round is on the cannon bone so that it does not create pressure on any tendons.

 

[Firewell]

No I don't, I put fleece polo bandages straight on the legs. I'm careful to not put them on tight I make sure I can fit my finger down the side. Support is therefore negligible, it's more to protect him from striking himself with the other legs .

 

[blood_magik]

for exercising, I put bandages on without gamgee underneath.
gamgee goes on underneath for stable bandages. :smile3:

 

[JillA]

If you are looking for support, then yes, elasticated exercise bandages with Fibagee or similar (I think you can buy specific pads nowadays). Elasticated bandages without a pressure absorbing liner can do a lot of damage to soft tissue if they are too tight or the pressure is uneven, and it is almost impossible to get the correct even pressure. Softer bandages don't need a liner, but as above, don't offer support, just protection.

 

[rara007]

I use fleece polo bandages over padding. Doesn't offer any support but stops bumps and the padding eliminates any pressure points from the bandage as I'm paranoid about getting the correct tension.