BANDAGING – B2

Instructor’s Guide

Part I – Leg Problems

Purpose
  1. Know what the indications of a leg problem are
  2. Know the definition and cause of cording
Teaching Suggestions
  1. Discuss materials in tables

General Indications of Leg Problems (BYH 3)

Cuts, scrapes or skin irritations
Interference Marks /
  • cuts, bruises or scuffed hair on inside of fetlock joint
  • indicate the horse is striking himself
  • point these out to your farrier (corrective shoeing may help)

Heat /
  • abnormal heat in a part of leg  may indicate inflammation or injury
  • especially if it is also puffy or tender

Swelling /
  1. hot, tender swelling
  2. strain
  3. sprain
  4. bruise
  5. infection
  6. other injury
  7. Cool, puffy swelling that pits when pressed with a finger
  8. edema (fluid collected in soft tissues)

Filling /
  • swelling that fills in the grooves that normally show around tetndons and ligaments
  • may be early sign of stress or injury to tendons or suspensory ligament

Stocking up /
  • swelling of all four legs or both hind legs
  • poor circulation and/or lack of exercise
  • cool, painless and usually goes down with gentle exercise
  • more common in older horses and horses kept in stalls

Lameness, stiffness, favoring one leg /
  • normal to rest one hind leg
  • resting or pointing a front leg usually a sign of a foot or leg problem

Cording (BYH 5)

Description /
  • damage to a horse’s tendon
  • inflammation of the tendons or tendon sheath
  • after removing a bandage the tendons appear swollen, puffy or have rippled appearance

Cause /
  • uneven pressure from poorly applied bandage
  • tight ring of pressure around a leg
  • bandage fastening tighter than the bandage
  • bandage fastening in continuous ring around leg

Part II – Materials

Purpose
  1. Know the various materials available for padding including pros and cons of each
  2. Know the various types and used of leg wrap or bandaging materials
  3. Know the materials used to make boots including pros and cons of each
  4. Know the various types of bandage and boot fastenings including pros and cons of each
Teaching Suggestions
  1. Bring various bandaging supplies (have students bring all of theirs) and determine what they are and discuss usage, pros and cons.

Types of leg padding

Sheet Cotton
BYH 11 /
  • comes in folded sheets and must be made up into leg pads
Pros
  • soft
  • clean
  • inexpensive
  • can be made to any size and thickness required
  • can be used several times if they are handled carefully
Cons
  • not washable
  • must be discarded when they become soiled, lump or uneven

Polyester or cotton-polyester quilt batting
BYH 11 /
  • can be made into leg pads of the proper size and thickness or stable bandages or shipping bandages
Pro
  • polyester can be washed and dried
Con
  • cotton-polyester batting is not washable and should be treated as sheet cotton

Ready made cotton leg quilts
BYH 11 /
  • quilted cotton pads
Pros
  • readily available
  • durable
  • machine washable
Cons
  • too short for shipping bandages
  • sewn seams or binding may create pressure points
  • sewn seams or binding may prevent pad from conforming to the leg

Ready made leg pads
BYH 11 / Pros
  1. readily available
  2. variety of materials
a)polyester
b)cotton sheets covered with cheese cloth
c)synthetic felt
d)combinations with a layer of foam rubber
  1. most are machine washable
Cons
  • “pillow” pads are extra long, thick and puffy but not tall enough for shipping bandages

Kendall Cottons
BYH 11 /
  • brand of synthetic cotton, nylon-reinforced for durability  sold sheets about 1/8 inch thick
Pros
  • conforms to the leg
  • can be cut to size
  • can be rinsed carefully
  • used to cover dressings and leg pads for exercise bandages
Cons
  • several layers are necessary for stable or shipping bandages
  • be sure to use enough padding
  • avoid wrinkles

Fybagee pads
BYH 12 /
  • made with synthetic cotton felt on the outside with thin layer of foam inside
Pros
  1. washable
  2. may be cut to size
Cons
  1. do not conform to the leg very well
  2. useful as padding under exercise bandages

Leg wraps or bandages

General
BYH 7 /
  • usually 4 to 6 inches wide
  • 10 to 16 feet long (depending on size of horse)
  • should be washable
  • slight stretch will let them conform to leg better
  • must be tightly rolled before use

Flannel bandages
BYH 7 /
  • heavy double sided flannel
  • can be bought ready made or make your own
Pros
  • strong
  • easy to launder
  • inexpensive
Cons
  • does not stretch or conform easily to shape of leg
  • washed and hung to dry before first use or can be stiff and unwieldy

Knit, stockinette or track bandage
BYH 8 /
  • cotton knit (stockinette) or polyester double knit
  • sew two together to make one long enough for shipping
  • most have Velcro fasteners
Pros
  • some ability to stretch and conform (especiallywhen new)
Cons
  • most are too short for shipping bandages
  • tend to shrink

Polo wraps (fleece or Sandown bandages)
BYH 8 /
  • washable
  • slightly stretchy polyester fleece
  • Velcro fasteners
Cons
  • designed for use without padding beneath
a)can cause cording or tendon damage if Velcro is too tight or always at same spot
  • absorb water
a)heavy
b)may slip
c)unsafe for cross-country work or wet conditions
Foam-padded elastic bandage
BYH 9 /
  • foam rubber self-adhering to the inside of the elastic
  • used for exercise bandages

Saratoga bandages
BYH 9 /
  • elastic woven into the material
  • slightly rubberized backing to prevent slipping during use
  • for exercise bandages over cotton or foam padding
Pros
  • do not absorb water
  • suitable for work in wet conditions

Elastic crepe bandage (VetRap)
BYH 9 /
  • self-adhering lightweight elastic crepe
Pros
  • conforms easily to shape of leg and foot
  • excellent for hoof wraps
  • pressure bandages
  • bandaging hard to reach areas like hell grabs
  • can be reused once or twice if removed carefully

Ace bandage
BYH 9 / Pros
  • 6” width works well with ice pack as it will contract as ice melts
  • narrower widths sometimes used for tail bandages(especially after bandage has lost some stretch from repeated use and washing)
Cons
  • very stretchy so be careful not to get too tight

Conforming gauze
BYH 9 /
  • gauze rolls of various widths
  • slightly stretchy
Pros
  • conform to contours of hard to bandage areas and hold wound dressing in place
  • can bind, rub or cause cording if applied incorrectly

Super K VetRap
BYH 9 /
  • synthetic cotton roll
  • rolled over a dressing to hold it in place or provide padding
Pros
  • good on hard to reach places like joints or pasterns
Cons
  • not sturdy enough to be used as an outside wrap

Elastic adhesive bandage (Elastoplast, Elastikon)
BYH 9 /
  • strong elastic bandage with adhesive on the inside surface
  • bandaging wounds and can be used to wrap around a foot that has thrown a shoe to prevent wall from chipping until shoe can be replaced

Duct Tape
BYH 10 /
  • wrap around a foot that has lost shoe to prevent chipping of wall
  • protect or reinforce bottom of a hoof bandage
Pros
  • strong
  • waterproof
Cons
  • can bind and cause cording or pressure damage
a)use only on hoof
b)not on coronary or any part of leg
Gel packs and cooling wraps
BYH 10 /
  • special gel that retains cold
  • can be cooled in freezer and applied in place of an ice pack

Materials for boots (BYH 61)

Leather /
  • clean with saddle soap after each use
Pros
  • sturdy
  • provide good protection against blows
Cons
  1. may stiffen and deteriorate with exposure
a)sweat
b)mud
c)water
  1. may irritate skin if stiffened

Rubber /
  • for bell boots
  • used as liner or as extra padding over the spot the boots are designed to protect
Pros
  1. flexible
  2. waterproof
Cons
  1. cause leg to sweat
  2. may lead to skin irritation (especially in hot weather)

Plastic, vinyl or PVC /
  • often used for bell boots and molded splint boots
  • may incorporate foam padding for extra protection
Pros
  1. tough
  2. light
  3. flexible
  4. waterproof
Cons
  1. plastics do not breathe nor absorb moisture
  2. cause sweating

Fabric /
  • felt, nylon felt or other materials
  • some fabrics allow Velcro straps to adhere to it
Pros
  1. may be used as a lining to make boot fit more comfortably
  2. reduces tendency to cause sweating and abrasions

Fastening Types

Bandage pins
BYH 15 /
  • large safety pins or diaper pins
  • through at least two layers of bandage
  • not through so many layers that they
a)bunch up
b)won’t close securely
c)will stick the horse
  • must always be placed on the outside of the leg
  • use two per bandage
a)vertically
b)horizontally
c)crossing each other
Tape
BYH 16 /
  1. masking tape
  2. adhesive tape
  3. plastic electrical tape
  • fasten or reinforce other types of fastenings
  • apply in several strips about a foot long
a)put on in a spiral
b)never in a continuous ring around the leg
c)start tape on opposite side of leg from end of bandage
Cons
  • some types of tape will not stick well if wet or frozen

Velcro fasteners
BYH 16 /
  • often sewn to end of bandages
  • good if not fastened in continuous band encircling the leg
Cons
  • picks up lint and debris  loses sticking power
  • reinforce single strip Velcro with tape, pin or sewing

Sewn
BYH 16 /
  • safest way of securing the end of bandage
  • exercise bandages are fastened by sewing the end of the bandage to the layers beneath it
  • use heavy carpet thread and a curved needle
  • make simple stitches along the end of the wrap and for an inch or two along the sides
  • do not use the fabric ties that come attached to bandages (create a ring of pressure)  cut the ties off

Double Velcro closures
BYH 62 /
  • a second strip covers the first fastenings
  • much more secure than single Velcro strips
Cons
  • loses ability to grip when it becomes clogged with dirt or debris

Part III – Bandaging Practices

Purpose
  1. Know how to position horse to bandage the heel and describe measures you can take to keep the bandage from sliding up
  2. Know how you can prevent a tail bandage from slipping down
  3. Know the pros and cons of bandaging vs. boots
Teaching Suggestions
  1. Look at various boots and discuss advantages/disadvantages compared to bandaging.
  2. Demonstrate tail bandage techniques if possible (have student try to pull them down compared to one that is wrapped without any special technique to hold it up).

Bandaging the Heels

Position of the horse
BYH 19 /
  • stand the horse in a clean area
  • place a folded newspaper under hoof to help keep bandage clean (if you don’t have a clean place)

Making a heel bandage stay in place
BYH 28 /
  • make several turns around the bulbs of heel and coronary band
  • at least ½ the width of bandage must go under the heel
  • reinforce bottom of pressure bandages on heel grabs with duct tape to prevent them from wearing/coming up (BYH 47)

Preventing a tail bandage from slipping down

Turning up locks of hair
BYH 33 /
  1. bandage down 8-10 inches
  2. pull out a small section of hair
  3. point it upward
  4. bandage over it one wrap
  5. fold the end of the hair downward
  6. continue wrapping over it
  7. repeat once or twice farther down the bandage

Herringbone bandage
BYH 33 /
  1. after first two or three wraps
  2. wrap diagonally down and across the front of the tail then bring the next wrap diagonally up and across
  3. alternate diagonal wraps, down to the end of the tail

Butterfly bandage
BYH 33 /
  1. wrap for several turns
  2. give the bandage a half twist as it crosses the front of the tail
  3. wrap for several turns (the bandage will be inside out)
  4. make another half twist
  5. if you make a half twist every three or four turns the bandage will show a series of vees or “butterflies”

Bandaging vs. Boots

Boots
S 199 /
  • boots are more or less effective in all instances applicable to the legs and have advantage of being fitted quickly

Bandages
S 199 /
  • bandages take longer and need to be put on with a degree of expertise
  • bandages allow greater accuracy and precision in their application than is ever possible with a boot

Part IV – Pressure Bandages

Purpose
  1. Know use and application of a pressure bandage
Teaching Suggestions
  1. Demonstrate the different kinds if possible

Pressure Bandages

Use
BYH 46 /
  1. to stop bleeding
  2. prevent swelling caused by recent injury
  3. inhibit the formation of proud flesh

Notes /
  • applied firmly with enough padding to create a uniform counter-pressure which prevents swelling or stops bleeding
  • wrapped in the direction that best supports closure of the wound (not always the typical direction)

Applying a Pressure Bandage BYH 46

To stop bleeding /
  1. clean wound (skip if bleeding is serious)
  2. Place a clean pad over wound and apply elastic adhesive tape or VetRap directly over the pad using firm, even pressure.
  3. If blood soaks through do not remove pad – put another over top.
  4. Allow vet to remove.
  5. Do not leave on for more than a few hours and must not cut off circulation.

To hold edges of a cut together or inhibit growth of proud flesh /
  1. use a sterile gauze dressing covered by a few layers of padding
  2. put a few layers of padding, then two pieces of sheet cotton over that
  3. wrap with elastic adhesive tape or VetRap in the direction that best support closure of the wound

Treat a heel grab /
  1. clean wound and apply nitrofurazone or another mild topical ointment
  2. cover with sterile gauze dressing
  3. wrap the heel, coronary band and foot with elastic adhesive tape or VetRap (wrap tightly enough to hold the edges of the wound together so it can heal.
  4. the bottom part of wrap (on hoof) can be protected with duct tape  do not use above the coronary band

Bandaging (B2) – Instructor’s Guide -- 1

BANDAGING – B2

Homework Key

22 marks total

  1. Define cording (1) and give possible causes (3)
  • damage to a horse’s tendon resulting in inflammation of the tendons or tendon sheath
  • after removing a bandage the tendons appear swollen, puffy or have rippled appearance
  • uneven pressure from poorly applied bandage
  • tight ring of pressure around a leg
  • bandage fastening tighter than the bandage
  • bandagefastening in continuous ring around leg
  1. Name and describe three ways of keeping a tail bandage from sliding down (9)
  1. Turn up locks of hair
  2. turn up a piece of hair with each wrap around
  3. fold the piece of hair down and wrap over it with next wrap
  4. Herringbone bandage
  5. wrap diagonally down and across the front of the tail then the next wrap up and across
  6. alternate diagonal wraps to end of tail
  7. Butterfly bandage
  8. give bandage a half twist as it crosses in front of the tail
  9. wrap several turns regularly and then twist again
  1. List 3 of materials used to make boots giving a pro and con of each (9)
  1. Leather
  2. Pros: sturdy, good protection against blows
  3. Cons: may stiffen and deteriorate with exposure, may irritate skin if stiffened
  4. Rubber
  5. Pros: flexible, waterproof
  6. Cons: cause leg to sweat, may lead to skin irritation
  7. Plastic, vinyl or PVC
  8. Pros: tough, light, flexible, waterproof
  9. Cons: does not breathe, cause sweating
  10. Fabric
  11. Pros: may be used as lining to make boot fit more comfortably, reduces tendency to cause sweating and abrasions
  12. Cons: absorbs moisture

Bandaging (B2) – Homework Key -- 1

BANDAGING – B2

Student’s Guide

Part I – Leg Problems

Purpose

  1. Know what the indications of a leg problem are
  2. Know the definition and cause of cording

General Indications of Leg Problems (BYH 3)

Cuts, scrapes or skin irritations
Interference Marks
Heat
Swelling
Filling
Stocking up
Lameness, stiffness, favoring one leg

Cording (BYH 5)

Description
Cause

Part II – Materials

Purpose

  1. Know the various materials available for padding including pros and cons of each
  2. Know the various types and used of leg wrap or bandaging materials
  3. Know the materials used to make boots including pros and cons of each
  4. Know the various types of bandage and boot fastenings including pros and cons of each

Types of leg padding

Sheet Cotton
BYH 11 / Pros
Cons
Polyester or cotton-polyester quilt batting
BYH 11 / Pro
Con
Ready made cotton leg quilts
BYH 11 / Pros
Cons
Ready made leg pads
BYH 11 / Pros
Cons
Kendall Cottons
BYH 11 / Pros
Cons
Fybagee pads
BYH 12 / Pros
Cons

Leg wraps or bandages

General
BYH 7
Flannel bandages
BYH 7 / Pros
Cons
Knit, stockinette or track bandage
BYH 8 / Pros
Cons
Polo wraps (fleece or Sandown bandages)
BYH 8 / Cons
Foam-padded elastic bandage
BYH 9
Saratoga bandages
BYH 9 / Pros
Elastic crepe bandage (VetRap)
BYH 9 / Pros
Ace bandage
BYH 9 / Pros
Cons
Conforming gauze
BYH 9 / Pros
Super K VetRap
BYH 9 / Pros
Cons
Elastic adhesive bandage (Elastoplast, Elastikon)
BYH 9
Duct Tape
BYH 10 / Pros
Cons
Gel packs and cooling wraps
BYH 10

Materials for boots (BYH 61)

Leather / Pros
Cons
Rubber / Pros
Cons
Plastic, vinyl or PVC / Pros
Cons
Fabric / Pros

Fastening Types

Bandage pins
BYH 15
Tape
BYH 16
Velcro fasteners
BYH 16 / Cons
Sewn
BYH 16
Double Velcro closures
BYH 62 / Cons

Part III – Bandaging Practices

Purpose

  1. Know how to position horse to bandage the heel and describe measures you can take to keep the bandage from sliding up
  2. Know how you can prevent a tail bandage from slipping down
  3. Know the pros and cons of bandaging vs. boots

Bandaging the Heels

Position of the horse
BYH 19
Making a heel bandage stay in place
BYH 28
BYH 47

Preventing a tail bandage from slipping down