Bandages and Boots

Question 1

What are bandages and boots designed to provide?

Answer 1

• Protection
• Support
• For medical purposes

Question 2

What do leg bandages also provide, that boots don’t?

Answer 2

Warmth, and helping to dry off the legs.

Question 3

What are the two types of bandaging?

Answer 3

• Stable/Travel
• Exercise

Question 4

What are 7 reasons why a horse may wear bandages/boots?

Answer 4

1) Lunging: working on a circle, the horse is more prone to brushing or over reaching.
2) Schooling/hacking: some horses need leg protection if they are liable to injury, or are valuable.
3) Jumping: To provide protection when show jumping, or for cross country.
4) Ride and lead: both horses are vulnerable to leg injuries.
5) Training: Young horses are more vulnerable to leg injuries because their paces are unbalanced.
6) Medical reasons: eg. to protect an injury.
7) Travelling by horsebox or trailer: for protection.

Question 5

What is the purpose of stable/travel bandages?

Answer 5

• Support
• Warmth
• Protection
• Cleanliness

Question 6

What is the purpose of exercise bandages?

Answer 6

They are used instead of boots.

Question 7

What are the rules of bandaging? (9)

Answer 7

1) A bandage should always be put on over an inner lining such as fibregee or Gamgee.
2) The same person should bandage all legs.
3) On the near side you should bandage anti-clockwise and off side bandage clockwise.
4) You bandage the same amount of pressure all the way down the leg.
5) Avoid wrinkles in the bandage.
6) To adjust the pressure of the bandage whilst putting on the bandage on, it should be pulled against the front of the leg.
7) The fastening should lie on the outside of the leg.
8) Bandages should always be dry.
9) When bandaging for medical purposes, always bandage the other leg for support.

Question 8

Why should bandages always be put over an inner lining?

Answer 8

To provide more comfort, warmth, and protection against knocks and injury.

Question 9

Why should the same person bandage all legs?

Answer 9

To provide even pressure.

Question 10

Why should you always bandage anticlockwise on the nearside, and vice versa?

Answer 10

So that pressure is applied to the cannon bone, and not the tendons.

Question 11

Why do you bandage with the same amount of pressure all the way down the leg?

Answer 11

So it’s not too loose at the top and tight at the bottom, or vice versa.

Question 12

Why should you avoid wrinkles when bandaging?

Answer 12

They may cause rubbing, pressure points, sores, bruising, or restricted circulation.

Question 13

Why should the bandage be pulled against the front of the leg, and not the back?

Answer 13

As it will cause damage to the tendons in the back of the leg.

Question 14

Why should the fastening lie on the outside?

Answer 14

If fastened on the back, it may cause tendon damage. If fastened on the front, it may cause bruising. If on the inside, it may come undone from brushing on the opposite leg.

Question 15

Why should bandages always be dry?

Answer 15

If wet, they will tighten as they dry and restrict the circulation in the leg.

Question 16

Why is the other leg also bandaged, when one is bandaged for medical purposes?

Answer 16

For support, as the sound leg will carry more weight in order to compensate for the injured leg.

Question 17

What are fibregees and gamgees used for?

Answer 17

They help distribute the pressure of the bandage, and prevent pressure ridges at each turn.

Question 18

What is the difference between fibregee and a gamgee?

Answer 18

• Fibregee is a felt-like material, which can be difficult to use when new, but after washing will be softer and more pliable.
• Gamgee is similar to cotton wool, with a net covering. It is very soft and pliable, but not as strong or durable as fibregee.

Question 19

How do you check the tightness of a stable bandage?

Answer 19

You should place a finger down the top, between the fibregee and leg. There should be room for one finger, but never more than two.

Question 20

Why is it important to check the tightness?

Answer 20

• A bandage too tight will restrict the circulation.
• Too loose, and it will offer no support, and could be a hazard if it slips off and gets caught around the leg.

Question 21

How often should stable bandages be removed?

Answer 21

At least twice a day, for 30mins to an hour, to allow the circulation to return to normal.

Question 22

What are travel bandages?

Answer 22

They are the same as stable bandages, but you can bandage a bit lower to protect the coronet, and extra padding is used under the bandage.

Question 23

What are exercise bandages?

Answer 23

They are more elastic, shorter in length, and thinner/narrower than stable bandages. They protect the tendons against injury when exercising, and help reduce swelling and windgalls.

Question 24

What are boots used for?

Answer 24

For the same reasons as exercise bandages, for protection whilst exercising.

Question 25

Name 9 types of boots.

Answer 25

• Brushing
• Over-reach
• Sausage
• Tendon
• Fetlock
• Hock
• Knee
• Cross country
• Travel

Question 26

What are brushing boots?

Answer 26

• Can be fitted to both the front and back legs.
• They are used to protect the horse from injury if the inside of it’s leg is hit by the inside of the opposite foot, and for horses who brush their cannon and fetlocks together.
• They can be used when riding, or for field turnout for an excitable horse, but should not be left on too long, especially if they get wet as they can cause irritation and sores.
• The fastenings are usually made from Velcro, and the middle strap

Question 27

What are brushing boots?

Answer 27

• Can be fitted to both the front and back legs.
• They are used to protect the horse from injury if the inside of it’s leg is hit by the inside of the opposite foot, and for horses who brush their cannon and fetlocks together.
• They can be used when riding, or for field turnout for an excitable horse, but should not be left on too long, especially if they get wet as they can cause irritation and sores.
• The fastenings are usually made from Velcro, and the middle strap should be done up first, then the others, and the straps should be facing towards the back of the horse.
• Do not put them on too high or they will interfere with the back of the knee.

Question 28

What are over-reach boots?

Answer 28

• They are bell-shaped and made from rubber.
• They fit around the lower portion of the pastern. They are used on the front feet to prevent the horse over-reaching onto the back of the heels.
• They can be used for all sports, and are commonly used when jumping.
• Some horses are turned out with them, to both prevent injury and the shoes being torn off.

Question 29

What are sausage boots?

Answer 29

• Also known as an ‘anti-brushing ring’.
• It is fitted around the pastern area of the back leg, and a strap holds the boot in-place.
• It protects against low knocks around the coronet.
• It shouldn’t be fitted too tightly, as it needs to be able to move around, but not too loose as it may end up over the hoof.

Question 30

What are tendon boots?

Answer 30

• They are worn on the front legs to prevent the horse directly striking the back of it’s tendon with the hind foot.
• They are often open fronted, and are commonly used in show jumping.
• They should not be fitted too tightly, as may put pressure on on the cannon bone, but not too loose they slip.

Question 31

What are fetlock boots?

Answer 31

They are commonly worn on the hind legs to protect the fetlocks from brushing. They are also popular with show jumpers.

Question 32

What are cross-country boots?

Answer 32

They offer all round protection, as they protect the cannon bone, fetlock and tendon.

Question 33

What are hock boots?

Answer 33

• They can be used for a stabled horse if they are prone to knocking or rubbing their hocks.
• They are also used for travelling, combined with travel bandages.
• They come in a variety of styles: the newer ones are made from neoprene with Velcro, and the older are made from leather which are done up by straps.
• The top strap is done up relatively tight to keep the boot in place, and the bottom quite loosely for ease of movement.

Question 34

What are knee boots?

Answer 34

• Are used either for travelling in conjunction with travel bandages, or for road work in case of falls.
• Original knee boots should be done up firmly to hold the boot in place, and the bottom strap quite loose for ease of movement, but not too loose that the hind leg can get caught in it.
• Newer knee boots have different strap designs and you should read the manufacture guidelines to fit them.

Question 35

What are travel boots?

Answer 35

They are worn over all four legs, and cover the front legs from knee to coronet band, and on the back from the hock to coronet band.

Question 36

How should boots be cared for?

Answer 36

They should be cleaned after use, as any dirt, sand or mud may cause friction sores.