Archive for the ‘Horse Health’ Category
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.
Proper Way to Wrap the Cannon Bone
Numbers correspond to leg drawings above. Note all hand positions.
- Make sure leg is cleaned, dried, and ready for routine dressing.
- Apply medicated gauze pad and wrap with a flexible bandage such as Kling Gauze.
- Progressively turn the bandage wrap, moving downward.
- Turn the wrap back up the leg well below injury.
- End well above the injury, just below the knee.
- Finish primary wrap.
- Apply padding to relieve tension.
- End of padding should be carefully smoothed out.
- Start on the middle of the cannon bone with a self-adherent stretch bandage under the padding wrap and secure with a second wrap.
- Continue to wrap with successive turns, spiraling down the leg.
- Continue all the way back up the leg and back to the center.
- Press the final wrap so that it adheres to itself.
Learn more about bandaging a horse's leg.
- Wrap or Bandage a Hock
- Wrap or Bandage a Knee
- Wrap or Bandage the Forearm
- Wrap a leg below the knee or hock
- Standing Bandages
- Shipping Bandages
Equine viral rhinopneumonitis (EVR) produces an acute respiratory catarrh, which is inflammation due to excessive discharge or buildup of mucus in the throat and nose. The Type I strain of EVR is the most common virus found in horses. Transmission of EVR occurs with direct or indirect contact with virus-laden nasal discharge, aborted fetus, or placenta.
1. congestion and clear nasal discharge
2. mild to server ataxia or paresis (slight of incomplete paralysis) of hind quarters
3. fever for two to three days
4. cough
5. abortion after three to 12 weeks of exposure and most commonly in the eighth to 11th month of gestation.
Treatment consists of isolating infected horses and initiating good sanitary and hygiene management.
Annual vaccinations and good sanitary practices provide the best preventive treatment.
