How to Properly Wrap a Horse's Leg

Wrapping a horse's leg can reduce simple swelling, which is called "stocking up." It can also hold a wound dressing in place, reduce bleeding and provide support for injured structures. But used incorrectly, wrapping can damage fragile tendons.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Stretch Gauze
• Elastic Wrap
• Leg Quilts Or Roll Or Sheet Cotton Padding

1. Use a minimum of two layers of padding an inch thick around your horse's lower leg from the coronary band (just above the top of the hoof) to the knee.

2. Apply a layer of stretch gauze, wrapping from the outside to the inside of the leg with just enough pressure to hold padding in place. Start just above the ankle and make one full circle, then angle down around the pastern (back of ankle) and continue on up the leg. This will prevent the padding from slipping and moving.

3. Continue with the elastic, wrapping in the same manner as the gauze, only pull the elastic as you are coming around the front of the leg, keeping the pressure mainly on the front of the leg, then wrap the elastic around the back. Bandage should be just tight enough that you can slip one finger between the bandage and the horse's leg at any point around the top or bottom.

4. Anchor the elastic edge with adhesive or masking tape.

Tips & Warnings

• When using padding, more is better.
• When wrapping gauze or elastic, wrap over previously wrapped section as you spiral upward, covering 1/2 the strip as you go.
• Some elastic is self-adhering, not requiring adhesive or masking tape on the end.
• Use a sanitary napkin, disposable diaper or terry cloth hand or dish towel if your don't have padding.
• Use a nylon stocking with the foot cut off or cheesecloth cut into a 3-inch by 4-inch section if you don't have stretch gauze.
• Use an ace bandage if you don't have Vetrap, Equisport, Elasticon, Expandover or some other stretchy elastic.
• Bandages wrapped too tightly can cause a tendon to bow, which can make your horse lame.

on 7/15/2006 With more padding there is a greater chance of wrinkling the padding. Wrinkled padding is a big no no.

on 11/22/2005 Unless you have had substantial experience with wrapping techniques, do not use items like baby diapers, dish towels, or sanitary napkins to wrap a horse's leg. Folds and creases in these items can cause more damage than leaving the horse unwrapped, or with just polo wraps. Some of these objects tend to put stress on the tendons, and run the risk of cutting off the circulation.