Boots and Wraps:
Boots and Wraps:
Boots and wraps are used for the protection of ligaments and tendons. There are a a lot of different types of boots. Bell Boots or Over Reach boots: These boots are commonly used for protecting the heel on a hoof. They are commonly placed on horses to prevent over reaching which is the hind hoof kicking the front. This can to a lot of damage. Bell Boots can be made of rubber or nylon. The rubber ones you normally have to pull over the hoof. As for the nylon ones usually strap on with Velcro. Bell Boots fit under the fetlock and around the pastern, forming a bell shape. Horses can wear bell boots all the time to prevent injury as long as the boots are well kept. Check bell boots often to make sure that the fit is correct and secure. Tendon and Fetlock Boots: Tendon boots are commonly used for jumping. They are open in the front to encourage the horse to pick up its legs going over jumps. Also the opening is good for air flow through the boots to keep the legs cool. These boots are used to protect the front ligaments and tendons. Fetlock boots are used for the same reason however, they are placed on the hind legs instead. Also open in the front. Sport Medicine Boots (SMBs): Sports medicine boots, sometimes called support boots, protect a horse’s legs against impact from its other legs or objects, like jumps. They are also used to help prevent the over-stretching of the tendon on the back of the horse’s leg. Sports medicine boots, usually made of neoprene lined with soft padding, wrap around the horse’s lower leg and are equipped with a support strap under the fetlock. The purpose of sports medicine boots is to absorb the impact as the horse’s hoof hits the ground. This minimizes the risk of injury to the tendon and ligament. Polo Wraps: Polo wraps, which are made out of a fabric let felt help prevent pulled muscles, scrapes, bruises, and irritation from dirt or sand. When wrapping you want to make sure that the wrap isn’t too tight or too lose. Start with the wrap wrapped up evenly and tight to. This will help the wrap go on the same way. Remember to never wrap a cross the tendon, pull only over the bone. So, you would want to wrap front to back. When getting to the fetlock in the front you want to make an upside down “V”. Then start to wrap back up the leg ending so that the Velcro side is facing away from the horse. When removing remember to wrap them back up or wash them if need be. Standing Wraps: They protect the horse’s legs and help not get stocked up after exercise and are to be used in the stall. You can also use these wraps when hauling as well for extra protection. These wraps consist of a soft padding that is wrapped around the leg first then a polo wrap on top to hold in to place. To put a standing wrap on is the same as putting a polo wrap on but you want to stay inside of the padding leaving a knuckle length piece at the top and bottom. |