Bandaging

BANDAGING, FIRST AID, PROTECTION & SUPPORT

Bandages are often applied to the lower limbs of horses for protection and support during training. Cold bandages are used as a first aid for knocks and filling in the legs. Padded bandages are used to protect the legs during transport or overnight in the stable. However, whilst the value of cold wraps and protective bandages are well established, there is still some controversy as to the value or otherwise of support bandages in horses. Many authorities believe that conventional bandages are unable to provide extra support to the ligaments and tendons during exercise, and can do more harm than good. However, new types of elastic materials and specialised ways of wrapping bandages, are now able to provide safe and effective support during exercise.


Bandages in General
Most forms of protective bandages are applied to the lower limbs between the knee or hock and the pastern, to pad the lower limb and fetlock joint from knocks or bumps during transport and exercise. However, once bandages are wrapped to provide any form of support, they need to be wrapped under the rear of the fetlock joint. They are best wrapped in a Figure Eight pattern under and around the fetlock to provide maximum support and protection to the joint and tendons.

Modern bandage materials are available in a wide range of fabrics, wrapping patterns and a myriad of colours. Leverton offer 8 colours from the cohesive range. The traditional simple cotton crepe or gauze wrapped over cotton wool, layered protective bandage has been superseded by many specially designed leg wraps and cohesive support bandages. These have been developed and are wrapped in a way so as to increase support of the lower limb to reduce downward flexion of the fetlock during exercise. When applied correctly, the newer support bandages such as Leva Wrap will take some of the loading at slower speeds, and reduce lower limb "wobble" by restricting normal fetlock side to side movement at the gallop. Much of the development work has been carried out using high speed treadmill and video equipment to measure the relative support obtained from varying materials and wrapping methods. Improved quick fastening and securing methods, using Velcro tabs, cohesive material to eliminate tapes and strings makes these newer bandages easy and quick to apply and remove.

Elastic, cohesive bandage Leverton's Leva Wrap adhere only to themselves rather than the horse, and eliminate the hassle and potential discomfort to the horse when removing adhesive bandages.

The design, construction and wrapping method of support bandages have greatly improved over recent years.Leva Wrap bandage, is water resistant and does not shrink on the leg or add weight to the lower limbs when horses are worked in wet conditions. A completely waterproof bandage used during exercise will not allow the area it covers to breathe correctly, with increased amounts of heat and therefore sweat being produced by metabolism and friction may induce further problems in the form of skin sores. This was a common problem with cotton fibre, gauze or crepe bandages and continues to be a problem for the most popular of equine cohesive wraps. Some bandages have an insulating effect and care must therefore be taken and removed immediately after exercise to avoid overheating the tendons.

Warning: Take care not to overtighten any bandage that has a stretch quality.

New research has also developed improved bandages and multipurpose dressings for first aid applications to provide pressure and protection following knocks, lacerations and other leg injuries. For example, the Leverton developed multipurpose application of Hot-Ice wrap, has built-in cooling ingredients that are activated by water and freezing. This multipurpose application helps resolve swelling and filling in the limbs, forcing out infection. Utilising a Levatape fixing tape makes it convenient to wrap and hold in place on the leg, before securing with an elastic pressure bandage, such as Leverton's Leva Wrap.


Types of Bandages

Let's briefly outline the uses and application of each type of bandage.

1. (a) Travelling Bandages and Boots


Protective bandages are used during transport to prevent injury from scrambling, kicking, as well as reduce risk of minor filling in the legs when a horse stands for long periods. Simple elastic crepe bandages, Leverton's Leva Wrap or lightly wrapped working bandages, are useful to provide a protective leg covering during travelling. However, specially designed travelling boots and other leg coverings, usually lined with foam rubber or other suitable padding, covered by an impervious, hard-wearing vinyl or rubberised material, and secured by straps or velcro tabs are widely available. They also help stop manure getting on the rear legs during transport, and after use can be opened out to dry, and washed if required. Ideally, these padded transport wraps must be long enough to cover the coronet, preferably with a "bell-shaped" or flared out bottom, to fit over the coronary band and upper hoof area to protect this vital area of the hoof. They should also be high enough to cover up to the knee or hock to protect against brushing, scrapes and knocks if the horse kicks out, or scrambles, during transport.
A padded bandage to provide protection to the coronet is very important during travelling, as some horses will stand on an adjacent hoof when leaning over or shifting weight during transport to the band area. In severe cases, bruising or laceration of the coronet can cause hoof growth defects and cracks in the hoof wall in the long-term. As a simple means of protecting the hoof itself, used underwear or Stockinette wrapped around the hooves is an easy way to reduce the damage caused when horses step on the inside edges of their shoes, and loosen them when travelling.

(b) Leg Shields, Shin Guards, Fetlock and bumper boots, Rundown Patches etc.


Many shapes, types and designs of leg coverings, tendon shields and anti-brushing guards are available to protect vital areas on the cannon bones, tendons and fetlocks against abrasions, bruising and lacerations during exercise. Obviously, harness horses need to use these types of protective boots more than gallopers. The most durable ones are made from vinyl, leather or rubberised material, often with a padded insert that is applied over the skin. They are fastened with buckles, straps or velcro tabs, but care should be taken to ensure they are applied securely to prevent them slipping down or constricting the limb during exercise.

Any leather shields or leg guards must be regularly oiled to keep them soft and supple to prevent rubbing if they dry out and harden. The newer vinyl or neoprene boots are soft, lightweight and reasonably durable, and do not absorb sweat or water during wet weather. These materials are widely used for bumper boots to cover the rear fetlocks and protect against laceration and "burn through".


2. Working Bandages


These type of bandages must be lightweight, secured adequately to avoid them slipping down when standing or during exercise, or loosening and unravelling during faster exercise. There is a wide range of working bandages and wraps available. One or two layers of a woven cotton bandage, specially padded commercial working wraps are useful to provide protection to the joints and tendons during training. Thin layers of Levapad or Levawool will provide added padding and protection against accidental knocks, and interference, as well as absorb some of the sweat on the legs during exercise. Extra padding can be held in place by a wrap such as cotton crepe, woven cotton fabrics, Animaldesive/ econoband, or elastic cohesive tape such as Leva Wrap. Leverton's Leva Wrap has the advantage of being water resistant, elastic and not will not adhere to the horse's limb.

Most of the working or covering bandages can be reused. However, if cottonwool is used for added protection under Leverton's Leva Wrap for instance, a thin layer of gauze bandage should be wrapped to cover the cottonwool before applying the Leva Wrap. This will prevent the self adhering nature of Leva Wrap being destroyed by fibres of cottonwool adhering to its crinkled surface.

The traditional "combine dressing", or cottonwool covered each side by cotton gauze, is also a useful padding bandage (Leva-G). Although more expensive, it allows Leva Wrap tape to be used a number of times without reducing its cohesiveness. Leva-G padding is similar to combine dressing, and is widely used as a protection layer under a bandage during light work. Layers of flannelette are also useful for protection when applied under an elastic bandage to hold it in place. However, flannelette packs down when it becomes wet from sweat during exercise or wet weather. This can lead to shrinkage, and increase the risk of damage to the legs and tendons if it constricts the circulation from a tourniquet affect if it works or slips down around the fetlock joint.

Protective bandages need to be firmly, but not tightly applied. They should be wrapped firmly enough to stay in place only, as most cannot give any worthwhile support to the limb during exercise apart from the Leva Wrap exercise bandage. A good rule-of-thumb is to apply protective and leg wrappings firmly, but still allow you to be able to push two fingers down between the bandage and tendons or bone at the side of the cannon bone. Foam rubber should not be used as a base for exercising bandages, as it can increase sweat output, lead to allergies, harbour germs and infection, and may chafe the skin over the joints and tendons.


Bandages must also be securely fastened to prevent them slipping down or becoming unravelled during exercise. If you use an elastic bandage to help reduce a soft or fluid swelling in a leg or joint, as the swelling dissipates during work, the bandage may slip down. An elastic wrap such as Leva Wrap applied at half its stretch will help hold a protective layer in position and maintain its position as swelling dissipates. Obviously it is essential to avoid loose or trailing bandages when galloping as they are likely to not only increase the risk of injury to the horse if it becomes tangled up or steps on a trailing bandage, but also the safety of the jockey is compromised.

Various methods of securing protective bandages are used, including tapes, safety pins, hook clips, or velcro touch fasteners. However, if there is doubt as to security, one layer of Animaldesive, or even Levatape applied around the bandage to secure the leading edge, is useful to prevent them unravelling during work. To prevent them slipping down during exercise, a round of Levatape adhesive tape can be applied so that it overlaps onto the skin above or below the bandage. On raceday, bandages still have to be stitched as security against unravelling during a race. Leverton would never advise the use of safety pins, hooks or elastic bands to secure a bandage as these can become dislodged and have the potential to cause unnecessary injury.

When applied overnight in the stable as a wrapover medication, some particularly young horses, may attempt to pull and tear protective bandages off with their teeth. A thin application of Stop Crib paste over the front surface of the bandage will usually deter horses from playing with, pulling it off, or ruining the bandage.

Document Contents © Leverton & Co. 2007