[QUOTE=NancyM;8869627]
There is no “boot” or even a bandage that will provide “support” to a horse’s leg. Boots and bandages will provide “protection” from being bashed by other legs, hooves, jump poles, or protection from hitting the ground with running down (ankle touches the ground at the ergot at high speed) during racing or reining sliding stops, etc, but NO support. It doesn’t matter what the advertising says, what claims are made about support being supplied. That is just marketing, designed to make you make a purchase.
Horses who are racing sometimes use elastic bandages, applied to “hopefully” provide some support, when a horse is being raced when they probably should NOT be entered. Studies have proven that THESE tight and potentially damaging bandages ALSO provide either NO support, or perhaps 5% support as a maximum. They are not advisable to use for ANYONE other than someone who knows how to put them on, and TAKE THEM OFF immediately after the race, as damage can be substantial if these practices are not followed adequately. So don’t even think about it.
TIME, rest, and rehabilitative exercise is the only answer for soundness situations. The only thing that makes weaknesses stronger is exercise, correctly and judiciously applied. Trying to hold damaged horses together with boots or bandages while still in training is not good horsemanship, and will not be successful. Wrapping bits of stretchy cloth around legs, or affixing ANY sort of boot around legs does nothing to “support” the leg column, when 1200 lbs of horse steps down onto it at any speed. If not at speed, then support is simply not an issue. For walking and trotting, and easy canter, the amount of ankle drop is negligible.
So that is why your vet did not make a specific recommendation. If your vet really does not know that support of the leg column is not effected by boots or bandages, find another vet. Stable bandages can support capillary filling, which can be helpful with a stallbound and injured horse, to keep filling from becoming too large, and supply warmth to encourage circulation of blood. But does not “support” the leg column in any way. As long as that it the sort of “support” that your vet was considering, a simple stable bandage of whatever type you prefer will do that for you. Either stockingette, or non stretchy cottons (less risk for applying them too tight). Are you an experienced stable bandager? If not, or if you can not get help from someone who can effectively show you how, don’t go there either. More damage can be done if bandaging is done incorrectly.[/QUOTE]
I did end my original post stating that i know there is much debate on the effectiveness of support using wraps or boots. I am also experienced in applying wraps, so i am not worried about that. I do plan to eventually just used protective boots, but since he was such a dork in just the ankle boots, I am considering just using wraps to help protect, and hopefully keep him more mindful of where he is placing his feet.
So i understand where you are coming from but I don’t think it will do any harm to wrap him correctly and safely. if nothing else it will give me peace of mind.
