Mythbuster Monday: A Horse’s Legs Should Always Be Wrapped in Pairs
On Mythbuster Monday, we tackle a variety of equestrian myths to either bust or confirm. Today’s discussion: Is it okay to only wrap one leg of a horse?
It’s Mythbuster Monday, where Horse Nation dives into different equestrian myths and provides research-based evidence to either bust or confirm those myths. Today’s topic: Is it okay to only wrap one of a horse’s legs? What is the mechanism of a standing wrap? What part of the horse can standing wraps damage? Read further to find out!
Myth: A horse’s legs should always be wrapped in pairs.
Myth or Fact: Mixed
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Standing wraps are a type of wrap that goes on the horse’s legs when it is stabled — or standing. They serve many purposes, such as securing a bandage or wound dressing, providing additional support, protecting an injury, reducing swelling, or covering poultice.
This particular type of wrap consists of padding next to the horse’s skin that is secured with stable or standing bandages. The padding can be anything from cotton sheeting to leg quilts to pillow wraps to No Bows. That padding is then secured with stable bandages, which are compromised of tightly knit synthetic fabric that has little stretch, or vet wrap.
But, should you only use these items on one of the horse’s legs?
This standing wrap was serving two purposes: as a stack wrap to help keep the upper wrap (which was protecting an injury) in place as well as support the lower leg structures. Photo by DeAnn Long Sloan.
According to Veterinarian, Amanda House, of the University of Florida Equine Sciences, it is a myth that you have to standing wrap both contralateral limbs. Dr. House states it is perfectly fine to only wrap one leg.
Photo by Hailey Sinon.
Dr. Orsini, a laminitis specialist at the New Bolton Center in Pennsylvania, states it depends on the horse’s issue. This is the formula he uses: if the horse has a muscular or skeletal issue, both legs need to be wrapped. If the issue is superficial like a cut or wound, only one leg may be wrapped. Dr. Orsini also states that if the horse is non weight bearing the uninjured leg also needs to be wrapped because it is bearing more weight than usual, causing that limb more stress.
Photo courtesy of Marcella Gruchalak
SmartPak published an article that point out that the rule of thumb is to wrap two or four legs. This is to provide equal support to both of the legs, which is especially important if circulation is compromised from injury. They also note that it is known that horses will be less likely to chew or kick a wrapped leg if both or all four legs feel the same.
Photo by Marcella Gruchalak
Dover Saddlery writes in their article that horses legs should be wrapped in pairs. You can either wrap two or four. This is so the horse does not begin to favor one leg or another depending on if one is wrapped or not. Wrapping in pairs makes certain that the horse is not stressing one leg more than the other and that support is equal.
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Harmony Horsemanship writes that if you only need to wrap one leg, only wrap that leg. This is because of the heat that is captured under the wrap on the horse’s leg. The heat can cause damage to the tendons and ligaments so you should try to refrain from the added stress to the leg if possible.
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After diving into the literature, the consensus is quite mixed. There’s a hot debate between whether or not to wrap one, two, or all four legs. They key take-away is to always consult your veterinarian for your horse’s unique case and come up for the best option for your particular horse.
Do you have an equine myth you’d like us to tackle? If so, send it our way! Email your suggestions to [email protected]. Put Mythbuster Monday in your subject line.
