How to Put Standing Wraps on Your Horse
- 4 days ago
- 1 min read
Video with Dr. Zoe Davidson
Used primarily when a horse is stabled or while trailering, standing wraps can provide support, reduce fluid buildup ("stocking up"), and protect legs from injury. Applied from just below the knee/hock to the fetlock, they may be used after intense work, for shipping, or to keep bandages or poultices in place.
A standing wrap is made up of two components: a thick, typically quilted fabric base (sometimes sized differently for front and hind limbs) and a long, narrow, slightly stretchy wrap (often referred to as a polo wrap or a bandage) to hold it in place. Every horse owner should have these materials on hand for all four legs, should their horse require one or more standing wraps be applied as recommended by a trainer or veterinarian, for a variety of reasons.
Proper application of the standing wrap -- even from top to bottom, free of wrinkles, and not too loose or too tight -- takes practice. It can be very helpful to have a more experienced horse-person watch and give you pointers as you practice. It’s important to pay close attention to what you’re doing and to be particular about the end result, as a loose standing wrap, one that’s too tight, or a lumpy application can injure your horse.
According to Steinbeck Peninsula Equine Clinics Dr. Alexandra Eastman, “While wraps that are too tight are a problem, the biggest issue is uneven pressure, Which can be caused both by applying uneven pressure when wrapping, or from wrinkles in the wrap. However, if the wrap is too loose and comes undone, that can agitate the horse and cause injuries.”