Bandages and Boots Flashcards
What are bandages and boots designed to provide?
- Protection
- Support
- For medical purposes
What do leg bandages also provide, that boots don’t?
Warmth, and helping to dry off the legs.
What are the two types of bandaging?
- Stable/Travel
- Exercise
What are 7 reasons why a horse may wear bandages/boots?
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.
What is the purpose of stable/travel bandages?
- Support
- Warmth
- Protection
- Cleanliness
What is the purpose of exercise bandages?
They are used instead of boots.
What are the rules of bandaging? (9)
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.
Why should bandages always be put over an inner lining?
To provide more comfort, warmth, and protection against knocks and injury.
Why should the same person bandage all legs?
To provide even pressure.
Why should you always bandage anticlockwise on the nearside, and vice versa?
So that pressure is applied to the cannon bone, and not the tendons.
Why do you bandage with the same amount of pressure all the way down the leg?
So it’s not too loose at the top and tight at the bottom, or vice versa.
Why should you avoid wrinkles when bandaging?
They may cause rubbing, pressure points, sores, bruising, or restricted circulation.
Why should the bandage be pulled against the front of the leg, and not the back?
As it will cause damage to the tendons in the back of the leg.
Why should the fastening lie on the outside?
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.
Why should bandages always be dry?
If wet, they will tighten as they dry and restrict the circulation in the leg.
Why is the other leg also bandaged, when one is bandaged for medical purposes?
For support, as the sound leg will carry more weight in order to compensate for the injured leg.
What are fibregees and gamgees used for?
They help distribute the pressure of the bandage, and prevent pressure ridges at each turn.
What is the difference between fibregee and a gamgee?
- 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.
How do you check the tightness of a stable bandage?
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.
Why is it important to check the tightness?
- 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.
How often should stable bandages be removed?
At least twice a day, for 30mins to an hour, to allow the circulation to return to normal.
What are travel bandages?
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.
What are exercise bandages?
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.
What are boots used for?
For the same reasons as exercise bandages, for protection whilst exercising.
