I’ve noticed more and more UL riders using standing wraps underneath their polos while schooling. Does anyone have any insight on this? I was always taught that standing wraps + excessive movement are a big no-no - is that an old wives’ tale?
They aren’t standing bandages per say… They are these:
https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/eskadron-climatex-bandage-liners-7802
Under polo wraps. It gives more padding than regular polos in the event of an interference. I don’t use them but I have some friends that do. I’m a boot girl- too lazy to wrap every day.
There are some bandage liners and similar products that are designed for use under saddle, like Eskadron Climatex Bandage Liners. I have used things along those lines in the past, and they are way less bulky than traditional pillow standing wraps. Do you think you’re seeing something along those lines? Or are these the real traditional pillow wraps?
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They aren’t standing bandages per say. They are these:
https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/eskadron-climatex-bandage-liners-7802
Under polo wraps. They provide more padding in the event of interference than regular polos alone.
My trainer will use the Eskadron Climatex Bandage Liners under polos for clinics. She normally uses dressage boots at home. I have never seen anyone use Standing Wraps either the pillows or No-Bows when the horse is ridden
Yeah, I assume you aren’t seeing actual standing wraps. Bandage liners are thinner and stretchier. They add some cushion underneath a polo or exercise bandage to disperse the concussion more broadly when the horse kicks himself. Some people even buy larger sizes to have the liner stick out above/below the wrap to provide some extra protection. On some of the big, green, spidery movers, the protection really helps.
Liners also come in molded foam, but you usually only see those on event horses.
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Ah - that solves the mystery. Thanks everyone!
good question. I thought those really long ones that go from knee to hoof were being used in warmup to keep legs clean – then I saw one in a clinic with the liners over the knees. I think it looks untidy but I guess if it is protecting, why not.
Eskadron Climatex has been mentioned, but there’s also Lemiuex Bandage Liners.
I have Eskadron and Lemieux bandages in this style. I have hardly ever used them. Not sure why.
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It is quite popular with dressage riders, and I think part of it is the appeal of matchy-matchy sets and drawing attention to legs in respect to movement. It seems to highlight them more. Especially white paired with white bell boots.
I still use boots on my guy that hits himself. I think they offer more protection with a solid strike bad, are easier to clean, and take less time and effort :winkgrin:
I think it is more of a look/trend than an a function some of the time, just IMHO.
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Bolded section my own. 
This is exactly what I think every time I see someone use the bandages. I get why people use them, but dang…I work 65-70 hours a week between 3 jobs, take 2 college courses each semester, and try to ride my horse around a totally insane schedule. All I can think is that the people using those bandages have WAY more free time than I do or a bevy of grooms at their disposal! :lol:
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I think it looks untidy at the knee, too.
But pro-tip-- making your horse white from the tip of his hoof to above his knee makes his front end look extravagant (or more so). It seems that people don’t cover the hocks the same way. So the cannon bones in back look shorter than those in front, and the horse looks really uphill and spidery.
or both!
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It boggles my mind how many upper level horses I see all covered up in wraps… Isn’t the point of dressage to help create a horse with ideal movement, aka they shouldn’t be interfering at all? I know both of mine interfere less the stronger they are.
I toss boots on my boy when he jumps or for a clean look at a clinic, and he wears bell boots 24/7 b/c he has a freakish overtrack and I’m too lazy to take bell boots off and on for t/o. I get using boots (or wraps) on a young horse who is still learning his legs, or while working on introducing more lateral work but otherwise it all seems like far to much work for me without any real benefit. And besides, I’d much rather my horse be used to the occasional sting so that if he does, for whatever reason, whack himself in the ring, he doesn’t act like a giant baby and go entirely lame for 3 strides and get rung out.
I have used the Eskadron wraps under polos because my guys have short thick cannon bones, and regular polos alone have to be overlapped so much it looks funny, and pony polos are too small.
But mostly use the stretch flex wraps now.
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I am from New Zealand and was told you never bandage directly onto the horses skin. If you are riding in polo wraps you have a thin quilted pad underneath.
Why not just trim the polos to the desired length? Also, there are some other really cool ways to wrap with polos that provide more protection (e.g. a vertical strip down the back of the tendons) that take up more slack.
I have that “hony” horse now and I have been a groom, so I know from experience that there is a way to wrap polos neatly on any sized leg.
For all you folks using the expensive Eskadrons rather than thin No-Bows: Do you think those are appreciably different? Do the Eskadrons stretch?
Yes they stretch, they also wrap better than standard Saratgoa type wraps. I think the Eskadrons are probably the best wraps out there, compared to polos or other similar options. No bunching, no sliding down.
Upper level riders use the under bandages because their horses are expensive and probably took them years and years to get to that level and don’t want a small cut keeping them out of the ring. Remember in FEI, any sign of blood or a cut can cause elimination by review of the ground jury. These wraps prevent the issue from coming forward.
So here I am thinking how do you put standing wraps under a saddle when you are riding? :lol:
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Me too!
But I do use Eskadrons under Saratoga wraps on the back, plain polos in the front. It’s popular to wrap Saratogas over regular polos but my trainer feels that it creates way too much spiraling tension in the wraps, while the Eskadrons eliminate it. I wish they were a few inches shorter as it does look messy to have the extra hanging out the top or bottom.
