And that's a wrap!

Every equestrian should master the skill of utilizing standing bandages. They are handy in everyday uses but can be critical in emergencies.

Standing bandages are a combination of polo type wraps and quilted fabric bandages.

Polo wraps are made of fleece, have a velcro closure and come in multitudes of sizes to fit any size horse. They come in any color or pattern you could possibly imagine. Match them to your barn colors, go with basic black, bright white, explore your wild side with animal print, or go crazy with tie dye!

The cotton quilted bandages come in tons of various types as well; including color, texture and size. The basic quilt is simple cotton fabric. Pillowed bandages will have a cotton fill and feel thicker and softer. Some have a foam filling, providing more cushion and conforms to the leg. Some are moisture wicking and some are "No Bow" and stay in place very well. They are usually sold in pairs and can range in price from $10-$80.

Both polo wraps and quilts are easily machine washed and dried, making them easy to keep clean. Just roll them up when they're not in use for space saving storage.

I am well stocked in classic Polo Wraps. I have many colors, but I prefer black because they show less dirt. They are typically 4.5 inches wide and 9 feet long. This size works great on horses 15 hands or larger.  For horses in the 13-14 hand range, don't be afraid to cut a bit off the end of your wraps to keep them from becoming too bulky. Polos are even available for miniature horses and small ponies. They are always available in sets of 4 and usually cost about $15.

How to apply a standing bandage: Place your bandage material against your horse's leg. It should go from below the knee to below the fetlock. Unroll the bandage from the horse's head side towards the backend of your horse on both front and rear legs. Be mindful that there are no wrinkles or folds in the layers, as these can be irritating and rub the skin. (Think of a wrinkle in the bottom of your socks....yuck!) Use even pressure gently all the way around. Bandages that are too loose can fall off and too tight could lead to an injury. To secure the bandage, next you will apply the polo. Wrap in the same direction, starting from the top, downward, with equal pressure, starting 1 inch below the bandage. Leaving bandage material peeking out ensures that you don't accidentally cut off the blood flow to the leg. Overlap your polo by 1/2 all the way down, ending 1 inch above the bandage material. Continue your wrap back up the leg until you reach the velcro closure. It's important to remember, if you wrap one leg, always wrap the opposite leg as well. This provides equal support on both legs. You don't want your horse leaning on one side or the other creating imbalances. Never leave standing bandages on longer than 24 hours without rewrapping. 

Standing Bandages sound like something a horse needs in an emergency or after an injury. Yes! That's exactly how these handy wraps came to be. We all know how accident prone our horses can be. Say your Trusty Steed decided to find something in his paddock to cut his fetlock on...applying a standing bandage will keep the wound clean, keep ointments in place and pesky flies away. In an emergency situation, a standing bandage can be a life saving tourniquet until the veterinarian arrives. They are also great for horses who stock up in stalls during a long horse show, by adding extra support and increased circulation.

Use those standing bandages to protect the legs during trailering. They offer extra support through turns, bumps and breaking. We've all seen photos of trailer accidents and know how awful they can be. Horses with standing bandages are less likely to have lower leg injuries. They may also come into great use if the horse has to be cut from the trailer. No matter how short the trip is, I always use standing bandages in my trailer.

If you happen to haul your horse to a show, I recommend leaving the bandages on the horse overnight. New surroundings can present freak stall accidents. Legs with all of that extra padding are less likely to get stuck in portable stall walls or between vertical stall bars. And even if Ol' Faithful never gets into trouble, bandages will add support and prevent stocking up.

Many people use standing bandages in place of splint boots during exercise to support tendons and ligaments. They can be very useful during rides in thick brush and grass. They'll keep burs, stickers and thorns at bay. Some people even use them as fly boots during pasture time in spring and summer, or to prevent leg injuries during turn out.

And that's a wrap! (Pun intended) Next time you are at the barn, get out your polos and quilts and wrap up those legs. As the saying goes, 'No wheels, no horse.' Protect those wheels in all kinds of situations. Happy wrapping, y'all!

#TheDIYEquestrian #PoloWraps #LegProtection #StandingBandages #LegWraps