Some advice please

[sydneysmum]

I always used to bandage Syds legs with excercise bandages when he was being schooled but recently someone told me not to as the tendons need to be strengthened at first as opposed to being protected Im not sure what to do now so some advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[MrsMozart]

Not heard this before. Maybe if you are worried about tendon strike or you have a deep/soft school surface then try two sets of open fronted tendon boots. I would guess that they offer less support, being there mainly to prevent the tendon being caught from behind.

 

[HBBambee]

Hi, im not sure how old your horse is but from the age of 3 a horses tendons are as strong as they are going to get.
when people say "ride on the road to strengthen tendons etc etc", it makes no difference, they arent going to get "stronger" you will strengthen the muscles around the tendons so therefore making the insertion points of the tendon into the muscle stronger.
I would even say using boots/bandages would benefit a young horse with weak muscles as your providing support for the tendons while your getting the horse fit.
I always use bandages on my horses and have never had a problem, i use them for support and protection. always use a gamgee or pad under the bandages too.
these are my thoughts hope they make some sort of sense.

 

[sydneysmum]

Thankyou theshowjumper I always thought the same Hes 7 but never had anything done with him He was backed about 8 months ago and is doing really well I would think, like you, that his tendons would be strong enough by now and support would be more important at this stage Oh its a minefield isnt it Advice varies so much

 

[HBBambee]

yes, theres lots of advice around i think just follow your first thoughts, I would like to know i had some protection on his legs incase he over reached or caught himself etc. rather than having nothing at all on his legs and setting yourself back a few weeks with a silly injury that could of been avoided. and with youngesters sometimes forgetting where their legs are at times i think bandages are a sensible option.