Proper Way to Bandage the Forearm
Wounds on a horse's forearm are difficult to bandage because of the forearm's shape. The tapering of the forearm will cause the bandage to slip off.
Numbers correspond to leg drawings above. Note all hand positions.
- Make sure the leg is cleaned, dried, and ready for routine dressing.
- Apply two or three long strips of adhesive tape vertically;
- Apply medicated gauze pad and wrap with flexible bandage such as Kling Gauze, starting in the middle of the forearm and spiraling downward, then back up and to the middle.
- Wrap cotton around leg.
- Start self-adherent elastic wrap in the middle of the forearm under edge of cotton wrap and secure with a second wrap. Work the ends of adhesive tape into the elastic wrap. Remember to work down the leg, then back up and to the middle.
Learn more about bandaging a horse's leg.
Proper Way to Bandage a Knee
It is more difficult to apply bandaging over the knees and hocks. Care must be taken to not place pressure on the bony prominences located just under the skin of these joints. Otherwise the horse will have bandage sores.
Numbers correspond to leg drawings above. Note all hand positions.
1) Apply medicated gauze pad, and take two or three wraps with flexible wrap such as Kling Gauze above the knee.
2-5) Wrap a figure eight around the knee about 12 times.
6) Spray tincture of benzoin on the hair above the knee to aid in sticking the self-adherent elastic wrap.
7) Starting 6 to 8 inches above the Kling Wrap, take two wraps with the elastic wrap around the leg.
8) Use moderate tension as you start wrapping downward.
9) Continue wrapping down the knee, trying not to cover the bony prominences of the inside and back of knee.
10-12) Continue wrapping until you have applied four layers of elastic bandage, ending above the knee.
Learn more about bandaging a horse's leg.
Proper Way to Bandage a Hock
It is more difficult to apply bandaging over the knees and hocks. Care must be taken to not place pressure on the bony prominences located just under the skin of these joints. Otherwise the horse will have bandage sores.
Do not cover the point of the hock and the bony protrusion on the inside of the leg right above the hock.
Numbers correspond to leg drawings above. Note all hand positions.
1) Apply medicated gauze pad and take a couple of wraps with a flexible bandage such as Kling Gauze above the hock.
2-4) Drop down below the point of the hock and wrap about two layers.
5) Spray tincture of benzoin above the wrap to aid in sticking this self-adherent elastic wrap.
6) Start 6 to 8 inches above the wrap and take two wraps with the elastic wrap around the leg.
7) Spiral the wrap downward but don't put tension on the achilles tendon; after about three wraps, place two soft rolls of gauze on each side of the tendon to fill up the holes just above the point of the hock.
8-10) Continue spiraling downward, covering the rolls and then going back up to the top. A couple of wraps with electrician's tape will hold the loose end of the bandage.
Learn more about bandaging a horse's leg.
There is a plethora of commercially available protective shipping gear for equine legs-- everything from a simple fabric-fastening wrap for the cannon bone area to a full-length leg cover that is molded to go over the hock or knee. The individual horse's needs should be taken into account before choosing which type to use.
Commercial "pillow" or "quilted" wraps that are the appropriate length for the leg and provide thick padding are most commonly used for shipping. The material should extend from just below the knee or hock to over the coronary band by 1 inch. If bandaging material is to be used, the best choice is commercially available flannel that is 6 inches wide and 10 to 14 feet long. Make sure the bandage material is applied smoothly with overlapping layers and extends down to protect the coronary band.
Learn more about bandages.
The standing bandage is used on many performance horses during performances or for standing for half or all of a day. The wrap should be snug, clean, and wrinkle-free. The main functions of standing bandages are to provide protection and support and to cover various leg sweats, paints, liniments, or poultices. The support can help reduce any "stocking up" or wind puffs, but the actual support that is provided to the tendons and other leg structures is not as much as previously thought.
Learn more about bandages.
