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R.E. and Martha's Corner: Leg Wrapping
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Equine Health
1. Why is it important to wrap my horse's legs for competition?
I wrap my horse's legs three days before I compete to reduce
stocking up, to tighten the tendons thereby conditioning the legs for running
and turning, to prohibit swelling and heat in the legs and to help protect
my horse's legs.
2. What can I do if my horse develops heat and swelling in his legs?
You can run cold water over the horse's legs; water is a natural
healing element. We also like to use poultice, it helps to eliminate the
heat, swelling and excess fluid.
3. How long do I leave leg wraps on my horse?
For heat and swelling, I like to leave the leg wraps on at least twelve (12) hours, I will then check the legs and rewrap if needed.
For conditioning prior to competition,
I exercise my horse and wrap his legs each night and unwrap the next morning.
I follow this procedure for three (3) days prior to my run. Should my horse
have an existing swelling problem, I leave his legs wrapped during the day
as well.
4. What kind of wrap do I use for wrapping my horse's legs?
I like to use the
“No Bow”, a soft cushion wrap, with standing bandages to finish the wrap.
5. Do wraps come in different sizes and what size do most horses use?
Wraps come in 12”, 14” and 16”. The 14” is most commonly used
for front and back legs. Use the 16” wraps for taller horses. If a horse
has short cannon bones, you can use a 12” on the front and a 14” on the back.
6. Should I wrap my horse's legs when hauling?
A horse needs extra support when hauling and wraps help to protect him from injury. Use good quality
shipping boots or the
“No Bow” wraps with standing bandages.
7. Should I apply anything to my horse's legs when I haul him?
It is important to use a leg brace to stimulate blood flow when hauling. Two products we use at the ranch are
Cool Pack Green Gel
or
Super Green
because these products are effective and safe for horses. Both products are applied with light, easy strokes to the legs.
Lay your wrap on the leg without any wrinkles. I always start
on the outside of my horse legs and wrap to the inside; this gives support
to the tendon. After you complete your first wrap, start at the outside
of the leg with your standing bandage and wrap from the outside in. Start
in the middle of the leg and continue down leaving ½ to 1 inch of your first
wrap showing. Come back up the leg and stop at the top of the bandage leaving
½ to 1 inch showing. The standing bandage I prefer is 4 yards long and
is adequate to wrap the leg properly.
9. On long trips, how often should I stop and let my horse out of the trailer?
On long trips, I find a safe place to stop and unload every four
to five hours. This gives my horse a chance exercise his muscles, increase
blood flow to his legs and reduce stiffness. I also have the opportunity
to check his leg wraps and rewrap if necessary.
We use Eagle Valley Advanced Bedding,
the most efficient bedding made today. For more information on Eagle Valley Advanced Bedding, go to their website at:
Eagle Valley Advanced Bedding Management.
10. How do I properly apply
Stemmans Poultice to my horse's legs?
1. Front legs: Apply the poultice above the knee all the way down to the coronet band.
Back legs: Apply the poultice above the hock and all the way down to the coronet band.
2. Wet a single thickness of brown paper bag and place over the poultice, then pat down to conform to the leg.
3. Roll a piece of Saran Wrap around the wet brown paper.
4. Wrap with the “No Bow” leg wrap and finish with the standing bandage.
Poultice
can also be used to reduce swelling without any wraps. For additional information
on leg wrapping, please refer to my book,
“Running To Win At Barrelracing”.
11. Should I wrap my horse's legs when he is stalled away from home?
No matter how much bedding is provided, a horse needs extra support
and protection. It is not uncommon for a horse to roll in a strange stall
and you can't afford the chance of him bumping or cutting a leg, resulting
in heat and swelling.
12. When I arrive at a show and unwrap my horse's legs, do I need to
wash his legs to remove the leg brace before I put his competition boots
on? It is not necessary to wash his legs at that time. After you
finish your run, cool down your horse and wash his legs thoroughly, remove
the excess water with a soft cloth and reapply fresh leg brace and leg wraps.
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