Turning out in exercise bandages?

[TiaPony]

Would you?

Tia pony had a bit of a fall in the snow - we think (!) - and came in badly lame. 2 days of boxrest later, she is now sound in walk but still not right in trot. She is being cold hosed for 10 mins morning and 10 mins evening and has a cool boot on over night. She has been turned out the past 2 days with exercise bandages on, just to offer her a bit more support but was wondering whether this might cause more problems then it's preventing?

 

[only_me]

dont think i would, as they could get wet and mine would probably unravel due to my boy arsing about in the field

the bandages may be masking swelling, so it prob would be better to keep them off for a day or two to see if swelling comes up.
sounds like a bad fall in the snow! she may have brusied her foot, does she have any heat in her leg/foot?
even maybe try her on box rest if poss. for a day to see?

just my suggestions, as i am the owner of a dopey, acident prone clumsy horse who dosent know he has 4 legs

lol

 

[Parkranger]

personally I wouldn't bandage as it could be making it worse - if you're turning out give her a few days to get over it then trot her up again......

 

[TiaPony]

When we brought her in hopping lame, she had no heat etc. Then gradually we found some puffiness below her knee and a bit of heat in her foot but now she only has a tiny bit of puffiness and heat. Am tempted just to keep bandages off for tomorrow..

 

[Parkranger]

I would - sounds more like a strain to me.....

 

[ChocoCornflake]

i would leave them off... to be honest, they are probably not doing much good use! leaving them on all day means a lot of heat bulid up in the legs, which is the opposite of what you want to acheive with the cold hosing etc!
Also, there is alot of evidence out there to suggest bandages do bugger all in the way of support! They also may be delaying the healing process, as blood flow and drainage will be compromised by the pressure exerted by the bandages.

 

[star]

god no - you're not meant to leave exercise bandages on for more than an hour or two. they can cause a lot of damage.

i have turned out in stable bandages before when my horse has been very lame (he doesn't do stables) because he was standing still and his legs were filling and bandages stop this, but that's the only time i'd use them.

 

[the watcher]

I would be inclined to consider a few more days box rest and cold hosing. The injury might just be bruising, but if it is something more serious (a ligament for example) you would be missing the best treatment of box rest and bandage support in the early stages.

 

[TiaPony]

Thanks everyone. The vet came out today as she had a relapse and found some puss in her foot so she's in.

Thanks all