This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » First Aid » Bandaging Horses »
  Discussion on How Often do I need to re-do leg wraps?
Author Message
Member:
ajudson1

Posted on Monday, Sep 21, 2009 - 11:55 am:

DrO,

I believe my mare Gem has strained a tendon in her front right leg. Some heat, around fetlock, and a bit above, maybe a tad swelling, was lame last week, much better already this week.

I have been wrapping with one layer of the Gamgee Padding, followed by vetrap. Just wrapping for support with pressure on the lower leg, and upward support under the fetlock.

I see in the article it says to change wraps every 3-4 days for wounds, but I don't see any advice on how often I should rewrap the legs for support purposes.

I have been redoing them every other day. She is turned out 24/7 in the round pen with my older mare.

I need to order more vet supplies soon: can you, or anyone, suggest any items to have on hand for this type of bandaging for future use? I have the page open in Horse Health USA, and I see sooo many choices! Yikes!

I do have SMB's, but think they don't breath well enough for constant use.

Thanks much!
Member:
dres

Posted on Monday, Sep 21, 2009 - 3:29 pm:

I would not use the SMB's boots over night for any length of time.. they are used for riding only .. oh and suppervised turnout..
Wrapping over night you use the pillow wraps close to the leg and then the thin standing wraps bandages over that.. you wrap snug enough that they won't fall down and you can put a finger in from the top .. always wrap from front to back thus not pulling on the hind tendons ..
They need to be changed daily ...

On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
Member:
ajudson1

Posted on Monday, Sep 21, 2009 - 4:27 pm:

Ann,

What do you mean by a "standing wrap?" Is that what Vetrap or Co-Flex is considered?

Yes, I agree no SMB boots on for any length of time..for one thing they seem to get chewed off then...$$$$ out the barn door. Not to mention sand inside them next to the leg.

I am not an expert on wrapping, but I think I am doing o.k., can get a finger inside the wrap, and they haven't fallen off. I just took them off about an hour ago, wish I would have done so sooner as the cotton padding was wet. It's been so long since we had rain, I've forgotten it can cause some problems, ha ha!

Thanks for the help.
Member:
dres

Posted on Monday, Sep 21, 2009 - 7:56 pm:

https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090207200631AAus5yh

https://www.ehow.com/how_2133734_wrap-horses-legs.html?ref=fuel&utm_source=yahoo& utm_medium=ssp&utm_campaign=yssp_art

this should give you an idea .. have fun..

On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
Member:
ajudson1

Posted on Monday, Sep 21, 2009 - 9:33 pm:

Thanks Ann, 2nd link was great. Always helps to have pictures too!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 22, 2009 - 5:45 am:

Angie it is not true that wound bandages should be changed every 3 or 4 days. While some may be left on that long, they need attention based on the nature of the wound and in light of how the horse is doing, this is explained in the article.

Research is clear, good standing leg wraps do not support tendons and ligaments of the legs of horses, at least with respect to relieving strain. That is not to say they don't have important uses, I would chiefly look upon them as tools to keep mild to moderate edema from collecting in the lower legs. Like wound care bandages, how often you should change them depends on several factors. If you are confident you are applying them carefully and they do not loosen over the day, I would consider changing them once a day. Otherwise twice daily would be better.

I disagree with Ann's opinion that SMB's (and other synthetic/velcro closure boots) are not useful for long term support and swelling though I certainly understand her concerns. Their ease of application, low cost over time compared with medical tape, and the ability to conform to odd shapes and maintain even pressure over the area makes them very desirable as a bandaging material. However they must be used very carefully as it is so easy to over tighten the velcro closures. When used in such a manner a good thick layer of cotton padding held in place with gauze, increases the usefulness and safety of the practice.
DrO
Member:
scooter

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 22, 2009 - 6:22 am:

I used the SMB's on Flash when she bowed her tendon with no problems, they did seem to take the swelling down. I only used them for 6 hours at a time tho. I didn't trust my wrapping skills.
Member:
ajudson1

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 22, 2009 - 7:15 am:

DrO,

Thank you.

Understood about the changing of wraps on wounds. I was just pulling one sentence from the article, bad idea.

I had thought in a previous discussion that it was felt the SMB boots were too hot, and thus not a good idea.

I do like the idea of using the cotton and the SMB's together, for when being worn for periods of time other than riding. I will go with that plan for now. I am much more comfortable using them than the hand wrapping.

Diane,

I think I may be dealing with a mild low bow on Gem's RF. It was looking fine, just some heat. Yesterday when I left her in the stall for a couple of hours with her legs bare, she ended up with swelling for the first time in the leg. She is not a good patient, just paces the stall, so it's best to leave her out in the round pen with Willow.

Gem has underrun heels, LTLH, and all my attempts to back those toes up, get heels, have not succeeded, and I think she will always be prone to having tendon strains do to no hoof care in her first year of life. This isn't the first time she's had trouble, but it's the worst so far; and I suspect it will get worst as time goes by.
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