What are polo wraps made out of?

Polo wraps are bandage materials, usually made of fleece, for a horse’s legs. They can be quite stretchy compared to other bandaging materials, and are used mainly for protection during ridden work, longeing, and turnout.

Are polo wraps bad for horses?

Polo wraps, with their slightly stretchy material, are generally used to support tendons and ligaments as well as protect them from brushing and interference. … Polo wraps have to be properly applied, with even amounts of pressure along the horse’s leg, or there’s a serious risk of injury to the horse’s tendons.

How tight should polo wraps be?

Polos must be applied tight enough to stay up but not tight enough to compromise blood supply. Always begin the wrap with the end against the cannon bone, not over the suspensory or the tendons, wrapping toward the outside when crossing the front of the leg.

Should I wrap my horses legs?

You need to wrap your horse’s legs to protect and cover an injured area; provide warmth to stiff/old tendons, ligaments, or fetlocks; control acute-injury swelling and movement; and to protect his legs while trailering hauling. … You should be able to slide a fingertip between the bandage and your horse’s leg.

What are better polo wraps or boots?

Today, they are not as commonly used because sport boots are more user-friendly, but a well-done polo wrap still has its advantages. Polo wraps are flexible and are able to conform to the leg. Unlike sport boots, they provide equal coverage around the entire leg and typically cover the fetlock.

Why are horses legs wrapped?

Polo wraps support the ligaments and tendons on the horse’s lower legs. They actually hold them in place and in proper alignment on the leg when wrapped correctly. … They also protect the tendons from overstretching, which is useful especially during activities when horses must make sudden turns or shifts in movement.

How long can you leave polo wraps on?

Do not leave on for longer than 24 hours without removing and re-wrapping (Some experts recommend not leaving on for longer than 12 hours without re-wrapping.)

Can you use polo wraps as standing wraps?

Polo wraps are made from a material that conforms to a horse’s leg. … When a standing wrap is used without any medication or poultice, it can provide warmth and promote circulation in your horse’s leg. It can also help to keep them from stocking up.

Why do horses wear bell boots?

Uses of bell boots

Bell boots are usually worn to prevent overreaching (when the horse “grabs” his front heels with the toes of his back feet, resulting in injury), or if the horse is wearing shoe studs, to protect him from accidentally injuring himself with the stud of the opposing hoof.

Can you use polo wraps for shipping?

Shipping wraps are fashioned using either quilted pads or cotton batting placed around the horse’s lower legs, then wrapped using polo wraps or another type of bandage. They cover the same area as shipping boots, but additional protection, such as bell boots, may be added to protect the hoof area.

Can you leave polo wraps on overnight?

It is your choice to ride with them but I would recommend an SMB type protection over a polo any day. SMBs should NEVER be left on during turn out though.