I wrap my horse's legs after any ride that I think is harder than our usual
training (which means nearly every endurance ride). I do so, though, with
something cold, never holding in the heat. I have some great ice boots from
DuraKold that I am currently using.
Bob is very correct that most people are just holding in the heat, which is
the opposite of what is desired. Even the most touted support boots,
Professional's Choice, canNOT support the horses leg significantly without
causing detrimental blood flow problems. Support boots, moreover, hold in
the heat.
I do use regular fluffy polo wraps or the big trailer wraps in the trailer on
any horse that I think might bang his legs while trailering.
I use thick quilted bandages on one of my old, arthritic horses to keep his
legs warm anytime it is cool out.
I use interference boots at the start of the rides (when my horse's brain is
nowhere to be found) and again late in the ride once he begins to get tired.
My personal feeling on tack and the endurance horse: Too little is better
than too much. If you don't need it, DON'T USE IT!
C. Mike Tomlinson, DVM
CMikeT@AOL.com
Mike@Tomlinson.com
---------------------
Forwarded message:
From: ksteenho@eagle.idbsu.edu (Karen Steenhof)
Sender: owner-endurance@moscow.com
To: endurance@moscow.com
Date: 95-05-30 09:43:28 EDT
Hi everyone:
This weekend Bob Morris and I got into a discussion about the merits
of wrapping the legs of non-injured horses after an endurance ride.
It seems that almost everyone does it, but why? Bob believes that the
wraps do more harm than good by holding in heat. I have also heard
vets say that leg wraps do not provide significant "support" as is
sometimes claimed. Other than providing a cushion against bumping
and banging in a trailer ride, we could come up with no good
reason to wrap the legs of a non-injured horse. This weekend after a
challenging 55-mile ride, my horse was sound and showed no significant
filling.
After talking with Bob, I decided not to wrap his legs. Was I right?
I know there are alot of you out there who regularly wrap legs--why? What
are the advantages?
Karen Steenhof
Boise, Idaho