Ways To Bandage Your Horse's Leg Safely and Correctly

Stable Bandage

No matter what type of bandage you are putting on your horse you have to make sure they are fitted correctly. Stable bandages are used for warmth and for promoting circulation. They also offer extra support for tired or injured legs. They are also helpful for drying off wet legs and to keep surgical dressings in place. Stable bandages can be made of wool or manmade fibre. They should be four to five inches wide and about seven feet long. They are designed to use with or without extra padding.

Horse insurance customers should already know how to put on any type of bandage properly: it must be wrapped up firmly and you should make sure the tapes are rolled inside the right way. When applying the bandage to the horse s leg it should be put on firmly with even tension. There shouldn t be any lump or bumps and if tape is being used to secure the bandage make sure they are tied with the same tension as the bandage. Make sure they are kept flat and tie a bow on the outside and tuck in the ends. The finished stable bandage should fit just below the knee or hock to the coronet band.

Exercise Bandage

An exercise bandage is used to protect against bruising and brushing injuries when working. They can offer support and padding should be put underneath. Exercise bandages can be tighter than stable ones because they are elastic and not worn for long periods. You do want to make sure the tension is even. They are made from stretch material such as crepe or elastic and should be at least three inches wide and six feet long.

You secure the bandages with tape. You tie the tapes in a bow on the outside of the horse s leg and tuck the ends in. Some bandages have broad tapes with a clip and Velcro. These are fine for flatwork but they need to be more secure for cross country. The bandages should be fitted below the knee or hock to just above the fetlock joint.

This gives you a general idea of the basics of bandaging your horse whether it is for exercise or for the stable.

Have you had a situation where you needed to bandage your horse's leg? Do you have a comment or advice you would like to share with our other members of the Animal Friends Horse Community? We are always looking forfeedback and if you have great tips and advice to share with other horse lovers please submit them right here by commenting on on this blog posting.