Only an equestrian can understand making the tough decision of which leg protection to use for your horse. Hopefully the next few posts will make it easier.
*Note: I realize there is a lot of debate as to whether or not bandages or boots can actually provide support. For the purposes of this blog, let's just pretend that we KNOW some leg gear can provide support.
Wraps:
Wraps are often used to provide contoured and custom protection and support for equine athletes' fragile legs. I like to wrap if a horse tends to stock up or get any swelling, or if he is predisposed to soft-tissue injury. The benefit of bandages over boots is that they have less of a tendency to rub if your horse has sensitive skin; they can be applied to have a custom fit on a horse with lumps and bumps; or they can be wrapped to offer more support in areas where a horse needs it. I find that they tend to breathe better than boots as well, and cool tendons are healthy tendons. The downsides are they have very little impact protection, so should only be used if your horse isn't likely to do more than brush his legs together. They are also much easier to apply incorrectly than are boots, and an incorrectly applied bandage can cause injury.
So what are your bandage options?
STANDARD POLO WRAP: These are handy-dandy little fleece bandages that provide a low level of protection if your horse interferes. They come in fun colors and are great if your horse has sensitive skin. You can find them pretty cheap at most tack shops and online stores.
EQUIFIT T-SPORT WRAPS: These are support wraps with some stretch that are lined with Equifit's famous T-foam, known for its support, shock absorption, and suitability for sensitive-skinned horses. These provide a good amount of impact protection for how thin they are because of the lining, but if your horse is likely to do more than just brush or nick himself something more substantial might be a better option. These wraps stretch, providing better support than a regular polo wrap, and are very low-profile. Equifit claims that these wraps trasfers heat out of the leg, a must in hot weather. The downside to these wraps is that they are very high-maintenance. They come with a hefty price tag as well: $93.50 for a pair.
http://www.equifit.net/products/t-sport-wrap
SARATOGA BANDAGES: These are my personal favorite. I use them on a regular basis. These are very thin and very stretchy track bandages, but the stretch is firm--thus providing excellent support. The company claims that these bandages "offer more support to the lower leg than any other product of its type." They have silicone applied to the inside of the wrap to prevent slipping, and they are very low-profile when applied without padding (however, also provide next to no impact protection, so should only be used if your horse is unlikely to interfere). They are extremely versatile, and can be applied alone, with bandage liners of your choice, or you can go old-school eventing and put on Porter Protectors underneath. You must be a very good wrapper to apply these without padding because they are so stretchy. They come at a good price of $59.95 for a set of 4.
http://www.smartpakequine.com/saratoga-bandages-321p.aspx
DRAPER EQUINE THERAPY PERFECT POLO WRAPS: I have never used these but I would like to! They are half Saratoga, providing super support, and half Celliant material, which supposedly can relieve pain and swelling, as well as increase oxygen levels in blood. These space-aged wraps go for $60 for a pair. Read up on the technology of the Celliant material here: http://www.drapertherapies.com/Draper_Equine_Therapy_Perfect_Polo_Wraps_p/perpolo.htm
ESKADRON CLIMATEX BANDAGE LINERS: I love these as well. To be used under exercise bandages like the Saratogas or something similar, they provide a nice thick layer of impact protection... less than the hard shell of a boot but more that a polo wrap. The best part about them is that they wick away sweat and breathe, keeping the legs cool. In the heat of summer, your horse's legs will still be sweaty. I have not yet found the miracle wrap that keeps that from happening. But on a nice day, I have found my horse's legs to be cooler and dryer with these than with plain Saratogas or boots. They go for $47.95 from smartpak for a set of 4.
http://www.smartpakequine.com/eskadron-climatex-bandage-liners-7802p.aspx?cm_vc=Search
EQUIFIT T-FOAM BANDAGE LINERS: These are fantastic high-quality bandage liners that provide some of the best impact protection you can hope for without a hard-shelled boot. Made from T-Foam, they shouldn't rub and mold to the legs beautifully, providing fantastic lateral support. They claim to transfer heat from the leg. You can get the standard bandage liners for $77.95 for a pair.
http://www.smartpakequine.com/equifit-tfoam-bandage-liners-4954p.aspx?cm_sp=CS-_-EquiFit%20T-Foam%20Bandage%20Liners-_-NA&cm_vc=Rec
PRO CHOICE COMBO BANDAGES: These are a less expensive option that provide a low level of impact protection and a bit of support as well. They are half fleece and half elastic, and I have found them to do a great job of keeping my horse's legs cool because they are so thin. They go for $39.95 for a set of 4.
http://profchoice.com/i-7261558-combo-bandages.html
Remember no leg protection is 100% sure to prevent injury.
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