The famous bandages... Bandages are an important part of a rider's life. It is essential to be able to bandage properly. How? With many hours of practice!
There are different types of bandages: rest bandage, polo bandage, transport bandage, and tail bandage. These bandages are used for different reasons:
- Protect a wound from insects or infections.
- Maintain medication in place.
- Immobilize an injured area.
- Reduce and control inflammation.
- Stop a hemorrhage.
- Provide support.
- To reheat or to preserve heat.
- Protect a limb from shock.
- Protecting the horse's tail hair
The rest bandage
You must ensure that the bandage tension is even. When the bandage is finished, you should be able to see about 1 cm at the top and bottom of the bandage. A good rest bandage should look like a straight pipe, not the "Michelin Man."
The polo bandage
Then there are the polo bandages. These bandages are used to support and protect the tendons and ligaments during exercise. The polo is made of down fabric and is available in a wide variety of colors. The polo bandage is applied first below the knee. You should work your way down the horse's cannon bone to the fetlock. Once at the fetlock, you should make a "V" at the front of the leg and work your way back up to the starting point. It is essential to have adequate tension so as not to injure the horse.
The transport bandage
Next, we have the transport bandages. Their role is simple: to protect the horse's legs during transport. To protect the legs, you must use a long, thick bandage. The bandage must be placed so that it touches the ground to protect the glomes and the coronary band. The transport bandage is applied in the same way as a rest bandage.
The tail bandage
Finally, we have the tail wrap. This wrap protects the horse's tail during transport and prevents the risk of contamination during the mare's foaling. To properly wrap the tail, you will need an elastic bandage or a polo shirt with a Velcro closure. Start at the top of the tail. Slowly unroll the wrap down the tail while taking strands of hair. This prevents the wrap from sliding down. Repeat the process of taking hair with each turn. Stop unrolling the wrap about 2.5 cm from the end of the tail. Gradually work your way up to the top to complete the tail wrap. Note that it is important not to leave a horse with a tail wrap for more than four hours.
Tips:
- Have a clean and dry member.
- Have clean and dry equipment.
- Always unroll towards the tail.
- The bandage should be changed every day.
- If you need to bandage only one limb, also apply another bandage to the opposite limb to provide support and comfort to the horse.
- Have all the necessary materials before starting a bandage.
- And above all, practice ;)
