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 Extensive research shows that a tremendous amount of pressure is placed upon the lower limbs of the equine athlete in its endeavour to accelerate, gallop, turn at speed and stop. In order to enable the horse to continue in these kinds of activities, it has long been recognised that there is a need for the tendons and ligaments of the lower leg to be supported and protected in a suitable way.
Bandages are used for a variety of reasons, but whether it is for support, protection or first aid purposes, they must always be applied in the correct manner and for the right reasons.
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Bandages for protection and support
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Bandages must not interfere with the stride length of the horse, gait pattern, or limb flexibility, reduce circulation or change weight distribution in the lower limb. Through advancement in technology and ongoing research into the mechanical and therapeutic benefits of the bandages on exercising horses, researchers are ensuring that the risk of tendon and ligament injury in performance horses is decreased.
Unfortunately conventional bandages and bandaging techniques fail to provide support to the ligaments and tendons during exercise and competition and may actually do more harm than good. The development of new materials containing elastic fibres that encircle and mechanically support the tendons during work and transport, and new techniques of applying the bandages are proving, through studies, to have worthwhile benefits.
Bandages used for protection and support during travelling and training can be classified into four types:
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- Travelling Bandages and Boots
- Leg Shields, Shin Guards, Fetlock and Bumper Boots
- Work Bandages
- Support Bandages
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Travelling bandages and boots
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Protective bandages are used during transport to prevent injury and reduce the risk of filling in the legs when the horse stands for long periods. Traditionally cotton bandages wrapped around the lower limbs from the hock or knee area down to the fetlock joint were used to protect against trauma during exercise and transport. However, the demand for greater protection and ease of application has seen the development of synthetic elastic bandages such as Vetrap and specially designed travelling boots and other leg coverings.
Vetrap is a cohesive bandage that clings to itself and not to the hair. It is comfortable for the horse, easy to apply and to remove and does not require pinning or taping.
The travelling boots now available are usually made from a durable vinyl or rubber based material that is padded on the inside and can be easily cleaned if necessary. For travelling boots to be really effective, they should be long enough to cover the coronary band and high enough up the leg to cover the knee and the hock area to protect against brushing, interference and knocks during transport.
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Leg shields, shin guards, fetlock and bumper boots
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There are many leg coverings available to protect the lower limbs from abrasions, bruising and lacerations during exercise. The most durable ones are made from vinyl, leather or rubberised material, often with a padded insert applied over the skin. Care should be taken that they do not slip during exercise and create a focus of pressure on the lower leg. Leather shields need to be oiled regularly to keep them supple and prevent rubbing.
The newer vinyl or neoprene boots are very lightweight and do not absorb sweat during exercise, or during wet conditions. Bumper boots constructed from neoprene padded vinyl are often used in racehorses, eventers and jumpers to cover the rear fetlock area. They give excellent protection and are extremely durable on most surfaces.
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Work bandages
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It is most important that this type of bandage be secure throughout the workout, and be lightweight so as not to have an adverse effect on the horse whilst exercising. There is a variety of bandages with the most widely used being layers of woven cotton wool or layers of flannelette under a conventional elastic bandage such as Flowrap or Elastoplast (adhesive bandages) or Vetrap (a cohesive bandage).
All will provide protection to the lower limbs but their degree of protection and support varies. If cotton wool is used under Vetrap, then a thin layer of gauze must be used in order to stop the cohesive properties (the bandage adheres to itself) being destroyed by the fibres present in cottonwool. Flannelette is useful for protection, but when the horse starts to sweat or work in wet conditions, the layers compact, which can lead to shrinkage and an increase in the risk of damage to the legs and tendons. Foam rubber as a base is also unfavourable as it can increase the sweat output, lead to allergies, harbour germs and infection and may chafe the skin over the joints and tendons.
Protective bandages need to be firmly, but not tightly applied. Too much or uneven pressure placed on the lower limb by a bandage, can result in 'Bandage-Bows' due to constrictive pressure in an area of the tendon during, and possibly after the workout if they are not removed immediately. A good rule-of-thumb is to apply protective, leg wrappings firmly, but you should still be able to push two fingers between the bandage and the leg, and to wrap the leg with a firm, even pressure.
In racing and performance horses bandages still have to be secured, either by way of tape, or stitching, as security and insurance against unravelling during competition.
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Support bandages
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Over the years there has been a great deal of controversy as to the degree of 'support' that bandages provide to racing and performance horses. However, the advent of modern elastic materials, and new wrapping techniques, has seen a dramatic improvement in the amount of support that tendons and ligaments can receive to limit downward flexion of the fetlock during galloping and jumping exercise. Currently there are a number of bandages available that have been shown to provide safe and effective support when used correctly.
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Equisport Equine Support Bandage
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Equisport Equine Support Bandage was developed in the USA by the 3M company specifically to provide protection, support and stabilisation to the limbs of racehorses. University studies using high-speed treadmills and extensive field trials have evaluated all aspects of the bandage to prove its safety and benefits. Equisport is made from an elastic rubberised bandage tape, similar to 3M Vetrap, but with about five times the elastic content of Vetrap.
The improved elastic strength of Equisport increases the support and energy absorption properties of the bandage. This is maximised when the bandage is wrapped in a Figure 8 pattern around the fetlock, incorporating two interwoven vertical 'splint' strips up the back of the tendon. Studies show that this new technique of applying Equisport has the ability to absorb 38.8% more 'bounce' energy in comparison to other types of bandage materials.
Equisport can only be used once and must be removed from the legs immediately after exercise in order to allow the leg to cool down quickly. Generally, Equisport is recommended for uses when maximum support is required during racing, trialling or other high intensity competition. It is used widely overseas as a rehabilitation support for horses following fetlock joint, sesamoid, suspensory and tendon injuries. Equisport is approved for use during racing in Australia. Contact your veterinarian for further details.
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General points to remember when bandaging limbs
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Wrap all bandages around the limb in the direction which pulls the flexor tendons towards the inside of the limb - anticlockwise on the near (left) side limbs and clockwise on the off (right) side limbs. This will ensure the tendons, although protected and supported, will maintain their correct alignment and weight bearing properties when the animal is exercised.
Apply protective, leg wrappings or boots, firmly, but so as to allow two fingers to be pushed down between the bandage and tendons or bone at the side of the cannon bone. In doing this there should be an even amount of pressure on the leg, whilst the bandage is in place.
Bandages should always be secure whilst on the leg, as loose, slipping or trailing bandages may cause discomfort or frighten the horse, resulting in further injury. Various methods are used including tapes, safety pins, hooks, and velcro straps but if there is a doubt as to the safety of the fastener, the application of an elastic adhesive bandage (eg Flowrap) or electrical tape around the bandage will keep it secure. To prevent bandages slipping during exercise a round of Flowrap adhesive tape can be applied so that it overlaps onto the skin above and below the bandage. On raceday bandages need to be stitched as security against unravelling.
After work all bandages MUST be removed immediately in order to allow the tendons and ligaments to cool down for 5-10 minutes, preferably by cold water hosing or an ice pack. Travelling bandages or boots can then be applied for the trip home, or for protection in the stable or yard. Recent studies (Goodship et al. 1993) suggest there may be a correlation between an increase in lower limb heat generated through a workout, the use of bandages and the development of Bowed Tendons. It has been suggested that the central core of the tendon undergoes degeneration as the temperature of the lower limb rises according to the stress load of the workout, and excessive heat retained after exercise if bandages are not removed, may predispose the tendon to subsequent breakdown.
It is important that all bandages are applied as directed, in order to safely provide optimum protection, support and stabilisation of the lower limbs, depending on the purpose. With the constant development of new materials and bandaging techniques, the future soundness of lower limbs for race and performance horses is all 'wrapped up'.
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Author Dr Ruth Davis BVSc courtsey of Virbac-Vetsearch
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