Whats better - Bandages or boots

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sjdress

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Wondering if you can advise me. What is better for training in flatwork wise, bandages or boots and pro's and cons of each? Thanks
 
Bandages can slip. You can also overtighten them and legs sweat and therefore swell under them. Bandages these days seem to be made of this fleece material which doesn't stretch like the old fashioned bandages used to.

There had been research that shows that the best type of leg protection is boots with airflow technology. Apparently tendons can get overheated even in a simple flat work session and this can cause tendon fibres to break down causing tendon injury in some cases. Premier Equine for one sell airflow boots. See their website.
 
My horse has 2 mysterious white scar marks on one of his hind legs. We assumed it was just from a random mishap before we got him but when we took him to an equine vet he said he'd seen similar marks before and thinks it's from bad bandaging... puts me right off bandages!!
 
I've heard people say bandages give better protection, but I'm not sure. I bandage for flatwork and use boots for jumping. Applecart's right, though, you have to be careful not to put them on too tight. Obviously too loose would cause them to slip, but if you put them on properly, tucking in the starting end, they won't slip.

B has a strange affliction, whereby sweat + neoprene = ghastly infected legs. That's why I bandage (and use dead sheep lined boots).

Bandages are also more flexible, and some horses go better in them. If you're not sure how to bandage and don't have someone to show you, though, I'd use boots, as badly done bandaging can cause a lot of damage:eek:.
 
boots :)

easier to put on correctly, quicker to put on, and safer. bandages can slip, and if put on incorrectly can cause severe damage to tendons etc due to pressure points etc.

botts are better :) x
 
I use bandages for flatwork because all of Dan's legs are far too close together, so he needs a good layer of padding on them :p Obviously he's not likely to strike his legs directly doing flatwork, it's more just brushing/knocking his legs, so I prefer bandages. Plus, they don't make the irritating noise that most boots make when he brushes :o
I've never had an issue with the bandages, his legs have hardly ever been warm under them let alone sweaty like with boots, and they did a good job of protecting his legs when he decided to fall over in the school once (ripped one bandage slightly but it even stayed fastened!) or hacking when he's run through brambles......
I have a silly horse :p
 
Boots - but choose the boots carefully!

Boots offer better protection than bandages can (look at the material used) but watch they aren't too rigid etc as that will also cause issues.

Bandages are easier to get in different colours to match your saddlecloth....

Have seen more than one tendon injury from badly done bandages (the modern fleece ones, not the elastic ones).

Some people think they offer support - but they don't really offer that much (not as much as a tubigrip would offer a human if you think of the weight etc going through those legs). There is also the risk of them slipping or coming off. Legs get hot under bandages as much as they do under boots.

If you see Isabell Werth and others in the warm up arenas they tend to use sports medicine type boots rather than bandages these days.

Bandages seem to be more a fashion statement.
 
I like boots, she has woof wear brushing boots for hacking and schooling and leather tendon boots and over reach boots for jumping. Must invest in some rear fetlock boots for jumping :)
Shes a bit of a case when jumping and throws her legs about!
 
sjdress said:
Thanks everyone. Does anyone have opinions on the stretch and flex training wraps?
Click to expand...

My opinion on the above types is there a waste of money, they offer very little protection imo.
If im in a mega rush i use woof wear boots, but i mainly tend to bandage every session now.
 
I use climatex bandages for all flat work, these keep the legs brilliantly cool, but you do have to be good at bandaging and apply them very evenly.
 
avoid stretch and flex....clever marketing but they are actually too thin to protect or support and drop to bits very fast!

i use bandage, but i know how to apply correctly so no worries there.
 
I prefer not to have to use boots at all but if I do, I use brushing boots, with the exception of winter. In the winter I use sports medicine boots that keep their legs very warm when they come out of their stable wraps.

I will bandage for riding, after an injury, but only as a precaution. To be honest i'm not sure what good it really does.
 
depends on the horse!

generally boots. easier and open fronted helps for carefulness etc. all mine generally jump and school in boots as easy wash,quick, anyone can put them on, etc.
my grade a jumps in front bandages as shes ultra careful so thats not an issue and has had ligament trouble in the past and i feel they give more protection for tendons & ligaments.

bandages give better protection if they go down on the road. (ie it will rip through a boots on the hocks and wont go through the many layers of bandages and padding)
so i often do road work in bandages.
and better for hinds on babies who like to stud their back legs jumping, ive had one rip eskadron hinds before with her studs.

so horses for courses.
 
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