How to Wrap A Horse's Leg (Pony Club Way) | Stable/Standing, Eskadron Combo, Exercise Wrap

[@fernlintner65]

Thank you so much for this, I just found your channel and can’t wait to binge watch more. Very informational and fun too

[@KayoriChii]

You’re the only person so far that I’ve found that explains exercise bandages. Thank you for this!! :)

[@Keelari]

no problem! I couldn't find much either so I made a video based on what I've learned through pony club and national testings! If there's anything else I can help you with, let me know :)

[@KayoriChii]

Thank you for the reply!! Just one question, would using a regular polo wrap with the liners for exercise/working wraps be acceptable, or would you use a just an elastic-type bandage? I have a set of four Thermal Therapy polo's (it's a Greenhawk /Canadian brand) and also a set of Back on Track polo wraps that I would use, but I figured I would ask since I'm relatively new to the whole liner deal. I've used speciality polo's on my gelding for years now, so I'm just wondering if the liners would be best used with a standard polo bandage instead of my "fancy" ones. I'm also aware that you can get BoT liners as well, but hunting those puppies down in even with affiliated dealers in Canada is a bugger to do, haha! I also agree with one of your replies down below about avoiding polo's when going over jumps, as I've witnessed one nasty accident with a woman who wrapped her horse incorrectly, and all I have to say is yikes (they're both fine!). I tend to use boots when I do cavaletti work (because I'm paranoid and my gelding has two left hooves), but I definitely enjoy my polo's for flatwork. Preferences, I suppose! :)

[@Keelari]

KayoriChii a true polo is only a polo and a true exercise wrap is elastic bandage with some type of padding underneath. I personally only use elastic over padding. If I use a polo, I only use a polo. I personally don’t use regular polos because they don’t seem to ‘do’ anything besides offer basic protection from brushing. Some people put liners underneath them but imo, they add bulk and retain heat. If I use a polo, it’s a therapeutic polo such as the bot ones. Don’t use any liner with bot type products. Always put them directly against the skin or else you aren’t getting the benefit of using the product. If I want protection and compression, I’d go for an elastic bandage ( I use Saratoga wraps) and eskadron liners ( but any thin liner would work as long as it’s not a regular stable wrap). Els wise, I use boots. I always use boots when jumping or galloping for safety and I use boots 50% of the time for flatworm/dressage. All depends on what I’m working on and how hot it is that day. Knowing how to wrap is also super important. Elastic wraps can do damage if not applied correctly and really shouldn’t be used directly against the skin. ( racehorses by necessity have to go direct against the skin but that’s a whole different topic). I think I answered everything? For pony club purposes, an exercise wrap must be elastic.

[@KayoriChii]

Okay, thank you so much for the information! I will keep all these points in mind. Thank you again for your time :)

[@lunamrkovacki1025]

Very comprehensive and helpful. Thank you Keelari! :)

[@animelovermicski2642]

Do you have a video on "why" you "should" use wraps when exercising and "why" when stabled. I have searched a long time now for a answer to this but have not really found it. The Only "small" explenation to working wraps is to avoid brushing(which i then wonder, why not "boots"?(hard protection, not sure of the correct English word) or to provide heat.) And about the heat i havn't gotten a "real" reason for why it is good or why it could be bad at times. As there are cooling wraps for a reason too. What I have figured out conserning stable wraps is for the warmth that would make the blood flow better. And that they are usually used if the horse has gotten some sort of injury, current or past where a better blood flow helps. I do know why not to use them when working with poles, jumping or similar. Super thankfull for all answers😊 Thanks from Sweden 😊

[@Keelari]

I’ll try to answer all your questions here but feel free to comment again if I miss one. For stable wraps, you can use them to cover an injury to keep it protected or to stay clean. In some cases, you can use stable wraps for warmth or to dry off legs but that isn’t something I’ve personally ever seen. The most popular use is for protection and compression. The wraps can protect the legs from bumps and scrapes when stabled or being transported. You can also use the wraps to prevent or reduce any swelling in the legs. It’s very common for sport horses to be wrapped after exercise. Stable wraps also allow you to apply any type of medication or poultice to the legs. As for exercise wraps, they are less commonly used which isn’t a bad thing. It is not a good idea to jump in any type of wrap because it can come undone and trip your horse or potentially get snagged on a pole or jump filler. The wraps do provide a little bit of protection from brushing but their main purpose it to apply compression (wraps do not ‘support’ the legs contrary to popular belief) which helps give a super close custom, light wight fit. The materials used for exercise wraps are not the same materials used for stable wraps. I have only used exercise wraps when riding dressage or occasionally for trot/Gallop conditioning sets. As for heat, it technically is never really good for the legs. An excess of heat can lead to cellular death and bowed tendons or torn ligaments. You do not need any boot or wrap to warm up the leg for exercise. Simply warm your horse up at a walk for an appropriate amount of time. Icing is far more beneficial for the legs in most cases. A lot of therapy products are aimed to increase circulation by heat (back on track) or through special materials (incrediwear), while others use magnetics. Long story short, exercise wraps were a common practice before boots became the standard leg protection of choice. They are quite outdated now but it is still good to know when and how to use exercise wraps. Pony club still requires the knowledge for them. Hope that answers some of your questions!

[@animelovermicski2642]

@@Keelari thank you for your answer 😄 Just a small question, why would you want to compress the horses leg?🤔 (English isn't my Main language so that might be why i do not really get it 😅) Interessting with "pony club"😊 in sweden we do not have it (as far as i know) but a "horse groom exam" (direct translation) where you will need to know how to do exercis wraps with a pad under(even tho we used polo wraps) ofc. not bad to have the protection from the wrap incase we wraped badly. For the prepering for lesson part we had 20minutes to plate(not sure if correct word or spelling😅) brush and make 2 wraps, one on a front leg and one on the oposite back leg. We were not allowed any block or "stair" when plaiting even tho some of us had horses and couldn't reach when the horse lifted its head😅 then the plaiting had to hold super steady as the examiner draged his hand over it back and forth twice quite hard, fortunately they didn't need to be with just one rubberband so we all put very many in x)

[@Keelari]

Animelover Micski interesting! We don’t have any official grooming exam here in the US but I do think it would be cool! As for leg compression, it can help reduce any swelling in the legs or prevent any from building up. Compression can also help with circulation

[@animelovermicski2642]

@@Keelari oki thank you for all the info😄 It's really fun but a bit tuff if you mostly have ridden in a "normal" riding school😅 the other parts of the test consists of lunging and "2" riding tests. Where you first ride one horse and then swich to another one. These should be horses that you have "not" really ridden on before and you are not allowed any stool or mounting block to get up. So if you are short like i am you have to pull the stirup down so you can reach it from the ground to pull yourself up.(even if you can't reach the stirup when you well are on the horse😅) then adjust the leather with your foot in the stirup as that is the "safest" way, incase the horse spooks. This shows if you can ride "any" horse without "breaking it" so to speak and adjust your riding for what the horse needs. If it's fast or slow or hard in one side or whatever. 😊 it is fun but pretty nerv wreking when your waiting for the result😅😊

[@Keelari]

Animelover Micski it is very difficult. That’s exactly what we have to do in pony club. Have to ride your own horse then get on another horse you don’t know, then ride it dressage and jump it well. We call it ‘switch riding’. It’s not easy

[@elisehermann6094]

Only good video on wrapping on youtube!! THANK YOU!

[@Keelari]

Glad I could help :)

[@kimberlyfowler7895]

I never knew the Esadron wraps had double locking velcro, such a good idea!!

[@Keelari]

KMC Equestrian yes it’s pretty cool! I’m not sure if their normal elastic wraps have the double Velcro like the combo wraps do

[@elisehermann6094]

I have a question. Have you used the back on track quilts? I’m still newer to wrapping but even with using an anchor point it’s hard to keep them from twisting/spinning around after the first loop around the leg. My mares legs are slippery as I’m so a betadine scrub prior (they are dry when I wrap though) so maybe that it. I was told new wraps can be this way. I’m tempted to hair spray her leg out of desperation! Do you have any tips?

[@Keelari]

Yes, I do have the back on track wraps in the ‘no bow’ and quilt styles. The BOT no bow style is more difficult to wrap with because it is more slippery and doesn’t compress the exact same way as a regular no bow. It takes a lot of use/washing for it to be ‘broken in’ like a regular no bow is after a few washes. The BOT quilt style is easier to use than the no bow for sure. I tend to not use my BOT no bows because of how incredibly difficult they are to wrap with. I opt for regular wraps or the BOT royal quick wraps. As far as tips to help with wrapping them, you can try wetting the leg so it’s slightly damp (although not ideal if you’re battling fungal/bacterial issues) or have someone help hold the wrap in place while you apply it. May also be beneficial to wash them several times in a row before their next use. I personally wouldn’t try human hair spray but I suppose you could try a braiding spray such as quick braid? Or a simple wax stick for braiding? I don’t think that would be super harsh on the legs but I don’t think it’s ideal to have to use something on the legs like that. I’ve never tried using the braiding sprays on the legs, but as long as there’s no open wounds, I don’t think it would be terrible. A simple wax would probably be the safer option.

[@elisehermann6094]

@@Keelari I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who struggles with the BOT no bows! They are stretchy and hard to keep lined up top to bottom as you wrap. I’ll give washing them a few times a go and might invest in the other quilts that’s aren’t so stretchy. What are your favorite quilts and wrap for standing wraps?

[@dominiquematos9575]

Thank you for making this video! I have my pony club rating this Sunday and this clarified so much!

[@Keelari]

glad to help! One thing I forgot to mention in the video is the inspection of the wrap by the examiner. The examiner will look at your wrap while it's on the horse then they will unwrap it to see if the spacing throughout and pressure is even. Once they take the outer wrap off, the will unravel the padding. The key thing about wrapping the padding is to make sure when you apply it, don't let the padding slip on the horses leg ( spin around the leg). Not even a little. They will look at the hairs on your horse's leg to see if the padding has shifted or spun. Just some more things to think about. Good luck this weekend!

[@dominiquematos9575]

Keelari thank you! I’m going for C-1! So do they require the masking tape over the wrap for that level, and if so how is that supposed to look like?

[@Keelari]

SC_Dressage_ yes you will need the tape for it. I’ll try to find a picture of it

[@Keelari]

SC_Dressage_ I’m not sure if the tape is specifically required at your level but I was personally required to have it for every single one of my rating both in my region and another region where I took my national ratings. There’s a picture of how to tape in the C Manuel. Mine is older and I know there’s a new Manuel. If you don’t see it, you can send me an email and I’ll send you a pic of it. My email is in the description box above

[@apotato4126]

can you use a saratoga bandage without the liners?

[@Keelari]

a potato I know some people that do but I wouldn’t. It’s too easy to over tighten and cause a bow or pressure sore because of how elastic they are. You’d have to be a super skilled wrapper to use without liners but even then, I’d personally use liners. I’ve seen dirt works it’s way into the wraps when used without liners because of how breathable they are. I guess it comes down to skill and personal preference.

[@apotato4126]

okay thanks!

[@maurastief4311]

Would you jump in the eskadron combo wraps?

[@Keelari]

Maura Stief I know a lot of people who would have no problem jumping in them but I personally would never jump in them because of the safety hazard they pose. When jumping , you’re traveling at higher speeds and have an increased risk of brushing. In addition to that, the wraps may get caught if a jump rail and potentially get stuck or unravel the wrap causing a potential fall if the horse gets tripped up on the wrap. The only time I’ve jumped with a wrap was when Ami had a scrape/cut on his hind leg that I had to keep clean and covered but was still allowed to ride and jump. What I did was put t sport wraps on him (by equifit) to keep him clean and I chose those wraps because they are low profile and the material was less likely to get caught on a jump. But other than the one time, I use boots for all jumping. Maybe it’s the pony clubbed in me 😂

[@maurastief4311]

Keelari thanks for the response! I have a horse coming off a tendon injury and have been religious about wrapping him with these when he works because he was in standing wraps 24/7 for 2 months so I've been keeping up with the wrapping and while he's no where near ready to jump just wanted a little input on them!

[@sarahcote4724]

What is the flick test exactly?

[@Keelari]

It’s kind of hard to explain without showing. You can flick the side of your wrap (the part on the side of the tendons, meaning not flicking the front of the cannon) multiple times moving vertically the length of your wrap. By flicking, you can tell if your wrap is firm enough by feel and usually the sound it makes. Flicking up and down the wrap can show you if there’s a difference in wrap tightness/pressure if you hear/feel a difference in the flick. Hope that helps explain it a bit more!

[@dionnemortimer8800]

Excellent, thank you, I learned a lot!

[@abbydalaviras7763]

What is pony club?

[@Keelari]

it's an organization that teaches riding and horsemanship. It can be found all over the world. Honestly, it's easier if you just google it to get a better explanation :)