How to Put Wraps on a Horse: Step-by-Step Guide (With Mistakes to Avoid)

Bandaging a horse is a fundamental skill for any advanced owner or rider. A poorly applied bandage can cause serious tendon damage. This guide teaches you the correct technique step-by-step.

Why is the Correct Technique Important?

A poorly rolled bandage can create uneven pressure points that compress the tendons incorrectly. A bandage that is too tight in one spot can cause "bandage burn," a serious injury to the flexor tendon.

Materials Needed for Bandaging

• Protective padding (cotton or fleece lining)
• Elastic or fleece bandage (type depends on use)
• All four legs must always be bandaged symmetrically

Step-by-Step Guide: Stable Bandages

Stable bandages are the most common. They are applied after exercise to support the tendons during recovery.

1. Place the padding — Wrap the padding around the lower part of the leg (from just below the knee to the fetlocks). The padding should be smooth, without wrinkles.
2. Start the bandage from the middle of the cannon bone — Stand to one side of the horse and start in the middle third of the cannon bone.
3. Bandaging direction — Always roll from front to back (clockwise on the right leg, counter-clockwise on the left). This applies pressure towards the tendon, not towards the bone.
4. Descend towards the fetlocks — Overlap by half the width of the bandage with each turn. Reach down to the fetlocks.
5. Ascend back to the starting point — When you reach the bottom, go back up to finish at the starting point or slightly higher.
6. Secure with velcro or tape — Secure the end with the bandage's velcro. It should be firm but not excessively tight.

The Finger Rule to Check Pressure

To check that the bandage is not too tight: try to insert a finger between the bandage and the horse's leg. You should be able to insert it with a little effort. If you can't: too tight. If it goes in very easily: too loose.

Common Bandaging Mistakes

• Wrinkles in the padding — A wrinkle creates an intense pressure point. Always smooth it perfectly before bandaging.
• Starting at the tendon — Always start in the middle of the cannon bone, never directly on the tendon.
• Tight spiral bandage — Tension must be uniform, not more in some turns than in others.
• Only bandaging front legs — If you bandage, bandage all 4. Asymmetry causes balance and load problems.
• Leaving bandages on for more than 8-12 hours — Check and re-apply regularly for long-term bandaging.

When to Call the Vet

Call the vet if, after removing the bandage, you observe:

• Swelling or localized heat in the bandaged area
• The horse is limping or not bearing weight properly on the leg
• Marks or grooves on the skin
• Any wound or abrasion under the bandage

For everyday bandages for horses that jump or cross-country, the method with padding + cross-country bandage is the safest. Check out our section on horse bandages.