Bandaging legs: explained step by step

Which type of bandage do you choose?

There are three commonly used types: the exercise or training bandage, the stable or rest bandage, and the transport bandage. The exercise bandage is used during movement and provides support to tendons and ligaments. The stable bandage is softer and wider, intended for rest or mild swelling. The transport bandage runs from the coronet to above the knee and protects the leg in the trailer. Always choose the right type for the situation and check that the material is clean and sufficiently elastic. Worn or stiff bandages wrap poorly and create uneven pressure.

What you need per leg

• 1 under-bandage (fleece or cotton), at least 1.5 metres long
• 1 elastic bandage or polar fleece bandage, 3 to 4 metres
• Velcro or safety pins (not regular pins)
• Clean, dry hands or gloves
• A flat surface so the horse stands still

Step by step: how to do it

Always start with the under-bandage. Wrap it firmly but evenly around the leg, from just below the knee down to the fetlock joint and back up again. Make sure there are no wrinkles — even a small wrinkle creates a pressure point. Then apply the outer bandage on top, working from top to bottom in the direction of the tendon (from outside to inside, meaning clockwise on the left leg). Apply even tension with each pass: no tighter at one point than another. Finish with the Velcro on the outside of the leg, never over a tendon or joint. The rule of thumb: you should be able to slide two fingers just under the bandage.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Starting too tight at the top, causing uneven pressure distribution
• Skipping the under-bandage, which leads to wrinkles and pressure points
• Fastening the Velcro directly over the tendon at the back of the lower leg
• Bandaging a dirty or damp leg — this attracts bacteria
• Leaving a bandage on for more than 8 hours without checking it

How long can a bandage stay on?

An exercise bandage is put on just before training and removed immediately afterwards. A stable bandage should be checked after a maximum of 8 to 12 hours and reapplied if your horse needs longer rest. For therapeutic bandaging — for example after an injury — your vet will give specific instructions. Record dates, times and any findings in the EquiSight horse profile, so you always have an overview and can recognise patterns. This way you can see at a glance whether swelling is returning or subsiding.

Signs that something is wrong

Always check after 30 minutes that your horse is standing comfortably. Watch for these warning signs:

• Horse lifts the leg or stamps restlessly
• Visible constrictions or ridges after removing the bandage
• Heat or swelling immediately after removal
• Skin that is red or bare at the pressure points
• Bandage that has shifted or come loose within an hour

Tracking and learning with EquiSight

Not sure whether your technique is correct? Ask EquiCoach in the app for a personalised checklist based on your horse's weight, build and training load. You can also save photos of the applied bandages in the horse profile, so your vet or instructor can review them remotely. Use the calendar to set a fixed reminder for check and re-wrap moments, making bandaging a regular routine rather than something you forget.