Polo wraps are a great way to keep your horse’s legs warm and comfortable. They also have the benefit of preventing sores from forming on their joints or muscles, which can lead to serious health problems over time.
If you’re not sure how to wrap polo wraps around your horse for maximum comfort and protection, then this blog post is for you. We’ll look at how to wrap polo wraps so that they remain secure throughout the day!
What Is a Polo Wrap?
A polo wrap is a piece of fabric that is wrapped around horse legs. Polo wraps are used to protect the legs of horses from getting injured. They can also be used to keep the horse’s muscles warm. Polo wraps come in a variety of colors and styles.
Some people choose to personalize their polo wraps by adding their name, initials, or the logo of a company. Others choose to embroider them with colorful patterns and designs.
A polo wrap can be used to protect a horse’s legs from injury during activities such as horseback riding and other sports. They can also be used for keeping muscles warm in cold weather conditions.
How to Wrap Polo Wraps
It’s important to know how to wrap polo wraps properly in order to provide the best support and protection for your horse’s legs.
Step One: Gather Your Materials
To start wrapping, you will need the following materials: polo leg wraps and padding.
Step Two: Lean Over
When wrapping, it’s important to be in a position where you have good balance and control. Instead of kneeling, lean over or crouch when dealing with a horse’s legs and hooves.
It’s risky to be completely on the ground given the fact that horses have strong kicking power. Instead, situate your body in a way where you can easily move away if the horse gets angry or spooked.
Step Three: Position Wrap and Pad Under Hoof
It’s critical to have the wrap in the ideal position on the horse’s legs. Wrap the cannon bone, which is located between the fetlock joint and the knee.
Take one side of the clean wrap and pull it underneath the horse’s hoof, then hold it in place with your non-dominant hand. Make sure to leave a little bit of slack as you don’t want to make the wrap too tight.
Step Four: Wrap Around the Leg from Bottom Up
Now take the other end of the polo wrap and bring it up the horse’s leg, passing underneath the first wrap. Make sure to keep overlapping it slightly as you pass over the top of the previous section.
Continue wrapping around until you reach just below where you started and then tie off that end with a square knot or another secure knot away from any sharp objects which could cut through it if pulled on.
If you’re using padding, add it in now before completing the knot. You can either place the padding horizontally or vertically, depending on your preference and what will make your horse feel most comfortable. Some people also like to put a little bit of duct tape on top of the wrap for extra protection.
Step Five: Add Additional Layers of Protection If Desired
If you’re looking for extra support and protection, consider adding additional forms of leg protection by incorporating leg boots into the wrapping process. Begin by placing a black boot over each section where the wrap crosses underneath the hoof.
Be sure to fasten them tightly so that they don’t move around. Next, continue wrapping as described above and make sure to overlap the sections by at least an inch. Finish with another knot and you’re done!
How to Be Cautious When Using Polo Wraps
When wrapping your horse’s legs with polo wraps, you need to be as cautious as possible. Below are some precautions you can take when wrapping a horse:
- Put a lead rope on the horse when wrapping.
- Have someone else be there to help you. It’s always helpful to have someone like a horse trainer there who can help guide you and make sure the wrap is tied securely.
- Make sure the wrap is tight enough. You don’t want the wrap to be too tight and cut off circulation, but you don’t want it loose enough that it could come undone.
- Make sure there are no wrinkles in the standing wrap. Wrinkles can cause pressure points and lead to sores or leg injuries.
- Check the wraps regularly for any signs of wear or damage. If you see anything wrong, take the wraps off immediately. Clean them after use, especially in wet conditions when there’s mud.
- Wrap both legs evenly to prevent muscle strain and injury. If one leg is wrapped tighter than the other, the uneven pressure could cause an imbalance in your horse’s muscles which can lead to injuries like strains or tendonitis.
- If the horse becomes restless, stop wrapping and walk them around. You don’t want to risk the horse getting loose and hurting themselves.
- Check for circulation problems every day by feeling for heat or coldness in horses legs, as well as checking for swelling. If you notice any changes, take the wraps off immediately.
- Don’t wrap legs with a bad injury or disease. Wrapping can add pressure to already sore or injured areas of your horse’s legs and cause even more pain. If your horse has a leg infection, it could even get worse by trapping dirt inside of the bandage material.
- Be cautious when using padding. If you’re using padding, like elastic bandages or other bandage materials like a bandage bow, make sure it’s not too thick or it could interfere with blood flow.
How to Choose Polo Wraps for Your Horse
Here are a few things that you need to take into consideration before buying polo wraps:
Size
You want to make sure that you’re choosing an elastic wrap that’s the right size for your horse. It should be snug, but not too tight.
You also want to make sure that you’re getting a firm wrap that’s going to be large enough to fit around your horse’s leg, but not too large that it’s going to be slipping up and down.
Material
You want to choose a material that’s going to be breathable and comfortable for your horse. If you have a horse that’s sensitive to certain materials, make sure to choose a wrap that’s made from a material that they’re not allergic to.
Color
Polo wraps come in a variety of colors, so you want to choose one that’s going to look good on your horse. If you’re conducting mounted work in front of an audience, you might like your horse to have flashy wraps like orange or yellow.
Since your local supply store might only stock conventional colors, you can always go online and experiment with different color combinations!
Price
You don’t need to spend a fortune when choosing polo wraps for your horse. They should be fairly inexpensive and have the ability to be replaced easily if the wrap gets ruined or worn out.
Thickness
You want to choose a polo wrap that’s thick enough without being too bulky. The thicker the wrap, the more padding it will offer for your horse’s legs. Generally speaking, thicker wraps are more durable and offer better support than thinner ones.
Purpose
If you’re only using your wraps once or twice at home, then regular cotton polos will do. If you need them for an event, it would be wise to spend a little extra and purchase breathable wraps that are made from high-quality materials.
Brand
There are many different brands of polo wraps on the market, and each one has its own unique selling points. Do your research before you purchase a set of polos to make sure that you’re getting the best value for your money!
Conclusion
Wrapping polo wraps around your horse’s upper leg will ensure that they are secure and in place. You want to make sure that you don’t wrap them too tightly because this could cause circulation problems, but it’s essential for safety purposes that there are no gaps between the bandages and the horse’s skin.
It’s also important that you know exactly how to wrap polo wraps for the best results on both the horse and rider’s behalf. The wrong wrapping technique might cause pain or discomfort, which is why learning how to do it right is imperative!