Horse Training Lessons and Sales

Leg Bandaging

I gained some experience with leg bandaging in 2005 when my gelding overreached and needed a couple layers of stitches behind his fetlock on a front leg. I had taken a basic equine first aid course earlier in the year but really gained much better knowledge by watching the vet very carefully when she bandaged the leg after stitching it up...so I ran out and bought similar materials to what she used. The wound never reopened, the horse never got an infection and the vet was very happy with the healing, so I thought the technique was worth passing on!

Please Note: The information provided does not in any way describe or detail what a pressure bandage does or is. This is simply a protective bandaging technique. Do not kneel or sit when bandaging a horse’s leg. Squat in a position that will allow you to get out of the way very quickly in the event of the horse spooking, kicking, etc.

Basic Leg Bandaging
(Five Layer Bandage)

Materials:

Sterile gloves
     Available in bulk at most pharmacies
Cleansing solution (Peroxide, Betadine)
     Available at feed stores
Topical / Ointment (Ask your vet for recommendation of type)
     Available at feed stores
3” sterile gauze pad(s)
     Available in bulk at most pharmacies
3” sterile gauze roll(s)
     Available in bulk at most pharmacies
sheet cotton (much easier to use than rolled cotton or gamgee)
     Available at certain tack stores (Fox Feed and Hemme Hay carry it)
3” non-sterile gauze roll(s)
     Available at most tack stores
Tape (Elasticon and Vetrap are okay to use but better to use tape with no stretch)
Safety scissors

Instructions:

1. Clean wound as thoroughly as possible. If horse won’t tolerate cleansing solution, try using water with pressure from hose nozzle. I’ve had good luck pouring solution (Peroxide or Betadine) into a small spray bottle and spraying site of wound generously.

2. Apply topical / ointment as recommended by your vet. There are so many products on the market and some will be better than others for bandaging.

Leg Bandaging

3. Place sterile gauze pad(s) over wound

4. Wrap with sterile gauze as evenly as possible

5. Wrap with sheet cotton as evenly as possible –not too loose but not so tight you can’t slide your finger down inside

6. Wrap w/ non-sterile gauze as evenly as possible

7. Tape it up!

8. Make sure you can slide your finger underneath all the bandaging

9. When removing the bandage, just cut through the top two layers (the tape and the non-sterile gauze). It’s safer for the horse and you may be able to reuse the sheet cotton

Don't miss the Leg and Hoof Bandaging class coming soon!