This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Horse Care » Tips and Tricks » 2007 »
  Discussion on Polo wrap tips
Author Message
Member:
chrism

Posted on Monday, Apr 2, 2007 - 4:28 pm:

I like to use polo wraps or brush boots when riding, mainly to protect the horses from dinging themselves.

Polo wraps look jazzy - lots of colors and even some patterns. But lately the fleece is often extra thick or they seem extra long and that combined with my wrapping technique can give an "orthopedic" look to the wrap.

So, here is what works for me:

Use pony wraps on the 15 hd horse.
Use pony wraps on the front legs and regular wraps on the back legs of the 16 hd horse. So, I tend to buy only white wraps to mix/match.

If I have a set of wraps that are too long. I designate a front pair and back pair and shorten the front pair to be a better length. You can decide this "better length" by reverse rolling them, and wrapping as you would normally. Then, when you decide you are "done" mark or observe how much extra you have. Then you can trim off the extra. Also cut across the corner of the trimmed wraps so you can quickly tell they are the shorter ones when they are rolled up.

Cheers.
Member:
tuckern

Posted on Monday, Apr 2, 2007 - 4:56 pm:

Great tip Christine,

I have a smaller horse that has small cannon bones, so I either use pony wraps, or i cut regular wraps to fit.

Another tip if you ride with polo wraps is to put a piece of tape around the velcro fastner, that way the velcro tab won't get caught on something and get pulled apart. I witnessed an accident when a friend was riding with polo wraps and they came undone. The horse got all tangled up in them and went down. Luckily no one was hurt, but now she puts a piece of duct tape on the wraps so it doesn't happen again.

Nicole
Member:
mrose

Posted on Monday, Apr 2, 2007 - 6:17 pm:

Great tip about using pony wraps! Don't know why that never dawned on me. duh... I use wraps all the time and like Nicole have made a bunch of my own that aren't quite so long.
Member:
canter

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 3, 2007 - 7:59 am:

What's with these extra long wraps, anyway? I can't imagine the horse that they would fit on. Perhaps they are meant for elephants?? I know the xtra long ones are useful for wrapping over padding when bandaging an injured leg, but not all brands advertise them as such. I hate paying for all that extra length only to then cut some of it off...sorry, minor rant & rave
Member:
frances

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 3, 2007 - 9:45 am:

Being from the UK I never quite know what you mean by polo wraps: are they what I would call exercise bandages, i.e. elasticated bandages (which you normally put over gamgee or some kind of light polystyrene-type pad to prevent any chance of their being put on too tightly)??

Please excuse my ignorance!
Member:
mrose

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 3, 2007 - 10:10 am:

Polo wraps are usually made of stretchy, thick fleece and are used mainly so protect the lower leg when working. Some people use various leg boots, some use wraps, and some use a combination of the two, depending on what the horse is doing and whether or not it is prone to clipping itself, overstriding, etc. I think some people use them, especially young girls, just because they think they look pretty.
Member:
frances

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 3, 2007 - 10:39 am:

Thanks a lot, Sara - they're not the same then. (Another mystery of the universe solved!)
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC