The following is about the many types of bandages, wraps and
boots available to the equestrian.
Chances are if you have a horse that you will someday need
to use some sort of bandage, wrap or boots on your horse’s legs. There are many
reasons that you may need to bandage or wrap your horses’ legs whether it be
from an injury, exercise, traveling, or protection and support while you are
training. Many products have been designed to help you with these specific
needs and the following is general information to help you know what boots,
bandages and wraps to use and when. My intention is to inform you of the many
types of horse boots, bandages and wraps that are available and their typical
uses.
Standing Wraps – are
designed to be used when your horse has been or has to stand for a long period
of time or when using poultice, liniments or medications from your
veterinarian. These wraps will help to prevent or reduce swelling in the lower
leg due to injury or exercise.
Quilt Wraps, Pillow
Wraps and No Bow Wraps – are designed to be used in conjunction with
Standing Wraps or Polo Wraps. These wraps have several purposes. They are a
cushioning layer between a Standing or Polo Wrap and your horse’s leg.
Cotton Quilt Wraps - are made of cotton broadcloth and a polyester
fill lining. These Quilted Wraps can be used for several purposes. Leg wounds and injuries require covering and
support these Cotton Quilt Wrap work well for that purpose. These wraps can
also be used for protection and support when you are exercising or
shipping/trailering your horse.
Pillow Wraps – have a thick layer of filling for cushion and
protection. These wraps can be used with poultices, liniments and medications
and when trailering your horse for long distances to give support.
No Bow Leg Wraps – contain a layer of foam to prevent them from
sagging. These as with all the wraps described can be used for protection and support
for injuries, wounds or when trailering your horse.
Polo Wraps – made
from fleece and will stretch can be used alone or with a cushioning layer.
These wraps offer support to ligaments and tendons and also protection from scraps
and cuts while exercising, jumping or trailering.
Track Wraps – are
cotton knit material that will stretch and can also be used for support and
protection while exercising. Track Wraps are not as wide as stable wraps and
because they allow more give these are used more as exercise bandages. Offering
your horses legs support for their ligaments and tendons.
Bell Boots or Overreachboots – typically made of rubber, gum, PVC or (polyvinyl carbonate) and
neoprene plus several other materials not mentioned. You can select from
several different styles of bell boots. Ribbed, smooth, fleece lined tops, open
(wrap around and closed), pull on and No turns. Bell boots offer your horse
protection of the coronary band, the bulb of their foot and can help your horse
to not lose shoes so easily. If your horse has a tendency to lose his/her shoes
in turnout easily. If you have studs in your shoes you should always where bell
boots on your horse to prevent injury. These
boots can be worn while jumping, exercising and trailering.
Splint Boots –
are made of a variety of materials with a variety of closure styles. These
boots are designed to protect the splint bone on the inside of the horse’s
cannon bone. They do not offer support for the lower leg, tendons or ligaments.
Jumping Boots –
typically made of a lightweight yet strong and flexible material. Lightweight
so as not to add more weight to the horse while jumping. Galloping boots and Open
Front Jump boots are two styles to choose from both of which offer protection
from injury. These boots are designed to
protect your horse’s legs from injury during rigorous events such as
cross-country jumping and fox hunting. They
do not offer any support for the lower leg.
Sport Boots –
offer your horse’s legs support for their tendon and ligaments and wrap around
their leg from below the fetlock to below the knee and help prevent suspensory
injuries. These boots can also offer a
little protection from interference while performing or exercising.
Shipping Boots –
sometimes referred to as travel boots. These boots can be used in place of
quilts and polo wraps for protection. These boots are typically made of a
durable material and cover their front legs from their knee to below the
coronary band. Their back legs from the top of their hock to below the coronary
band. Most people will use these types of boots for shorter distances and for
long distances prefer some type of support wraps which will provide both
support and protection.
There are other types of boots that are used for different
reasons. Easy-Boots and Cavallo Hoof Boots are typically used in place of shoes
should you lose a shoe or just want your horse to go without shoes. Fetlock
Boots used to protect the fetlock usually the horses hind legs. Ankle Boots,
Hock Boots and Pastern Boots and I think I have covered them all but if I missed
some I do apologize.
Thank you for reading and Have a Great Ride!
Horse & Rider Etc
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