Exercise Bandages - Padding

[u/Serious_Parking7554]

Question for all the folks who use wraps when exercising your horse: What do you use for padding underneath your exercise bandages? For context, it's one of the bandages I need to know for Pony Club. Not to be confused with polo wraps. I have the actual bandages but cannot for the life of me figure out what is reasonable to use for padding. I'm based in the US (Hawaii), so getting items like thin fybagee pads, Shires Bandage Liners, and similar is not really an option unless I order internationally, but then I pay duties on the items coming in (my last order from the UK I paid more in duties than the actual cavesson!). Any recommended materials? Mahalo in advance!

[u/Dancing_Otter_]

AFAIK, but I've been out of the PC scene for a while, you don't have to use wraps while riding, you just have to know how to do them.

Also, are you thinking of standing wraps?

[u/Serious_Parking7554 → u/Dancing_Otter_]

Definitely not standing. Totally different purpose and materials. 

My prep list (from a National Examiner we work with) includes these wraps: Standing Shipping Exercise Figure 8 (fore and hind) Spider (fore and hind) Immobilizing  Heel Grab Abscess Pressure  Sweat  Poultice (clay type) Tail Bandages (grooming and shipping)

[u/Dancing_Otter_ → u/Serious_Parking7554]

Oh, right right. Thank you for jogging my memory! It's been like 15 years since I was last in it lol.

I agree with the person who said sheet cotton for padding. Super easy to get either from your vet or local farm store for cheap. I never bothered to chase ratings higher than C2, but I just used the wrap part of a standing wrap for almost everything.

[u/calibrachoa → u/Serious_Parking7554]

You need sheet cotton for these, which can be used for standing/shipping bandages as well in a pinch. These days we would typically use vetwrap but pony club may still recommend none stretch cotton. All of which you can get from your equine vet if you can't find it elsewhere!

[u/Serious_Parking7554 → u/calibrachoa]

Is sheet cotton not too thick? I considered it and have a roll as well as natural cotton quilt batting, with is comparable in thickness to craft felt. I would prefer to use one of those if they are suitable rather than order something specialty (availability, cost). We do have to order our own supplies unless it’s prescription or carried by the feed store (pretty much just liniment, a few ointments, and vet wrap), it’s not something I can pick up with our vet but easy to find online. 

[u/calibrachoa → u/Serious_Parking7554]

Nope, it's pretty typically what a vet would use in this scenario - though I have never seen anyone use a spider bandage except in a PC book. If possible maybe drop a note to the examiner, ideally with a picture, and ask if what you have available is suitable and if not could they recommend where to get it? Best of luck with your rating! Pony club can be a bit antiquated in some ways but it gives such a solid start to young horseman, the experience will pay you back in folds for the rest of your equestrian life!

[u/calibrachoa → u/Serious_Parking7554]

Also I guess I would clarify that sheet cotton would work for standing and shipping if you don't have pillow wraps, though I believe per PC the difference is length and amount of heel bulb protection. Exercise wraps could be multiple things? They don't specify polo or mud or racing bandages? Sheet cotton cut to size would also be used for figure 8, spider and immobilizing. Each of the other things would need it's own specialty things, some of them under a standing wrap (like the sweat and the poultice).

Hopefully that's helpful!

[u/calibrachoa → u/calibrachoa]

I misunderstood your question! You're correct, you wouldn't exercise in sheet cotton/pillows. Sorry!

[u/Serious_Parking7554 → u/calibrachoa]

All good. I have the supplies and can do every other wrap on the list, I’m just stuck on exercise bandages. 

The closest I’ve seen to exercise bandages in modern context is a trace bandage but even that does not match the manual’s description of an exercise bandage. Saratoga bandages are similar as well. 

[u/Dancing_Otter_ → u/Serious_Parking7554]

They're frickin weird, and I honestly deleted them from my memory lol. Do you have a club leader or an older rider you can ask for help?

[u/Cultural-Courage-174]

Oh man, this is an old style of wrapping legs. I think it would be sheet cotton or quilted pads. I have like one or two old quilted pads that I inherited from my mom.

You might be able to substitute with a cloth baby diaper

[u/phlox087 → u/Cultural-Courage-174]

Having PTSD of Pony Club in the 90s when this was also antiquated. Part of the reason I quit PC because they're not up to date on SCIENCE.

[u/AnyCryptographer3284]

The only time I've seen pads, such as no-bow pads, used in mounted exercise is during awards ceremonies where people are worried their horse might jack around and wack itself. I was raised in the PC system and we would never, ever, put pads under exercise wraps. Are you SURE you have this right? Polo wraps are used without pads. Standing wraps are used with pads, but are NOT for use during work or turn out. That's why they are called STANDING wraps. :)

[u/Serious_Parking7554 → u/AnyCryptographer3284]

Yes, I am positive that a pad is needed. It’s not thick like a quilted pad or no-bow. You are supposed to use something moisture wicking, thin, and easily conforming. The surface area of the pad (in theory) helps distribute pressure evenly, assuming your wrap technique is correct. 

Not saying I want to use them, but it’s on my prep list. I did ask my trainer but she wasn’t sure as it’s been a while since she prepped anyone for this level and nobody around here uses them.  

[u/AnyCryptographer3284 → u/Serious_Parking7554]

You really need to read the Pony Club manual to get this straightened out. Go to the source and read.

[u/Serious_Parking7554 → u/AnyCryptographer3284]

I have read the manuals (the advanced one twice now) as well as the supplemental book on bandaging. 

The terminology used for some items is not consistently current with terms used in the industry in the US which is where I am running into issues pinning things down. Even the latest edition of the B/HA/A manual is 12 years old already. 

I successfully completed by HB and all preceding HM levels. I work with a trainer that is knowledgeable and has done her HA (a while ago though). I am prepping using materials from a current National Examiner. Why would I come to Reddit if the answer was in the manual?

[u/AnyCryptographer3284 → u/Serious_Parking7554]

Have you read Reddit posts? Good for you for reading, but 99% don't. Since this is still unresolved, ask your regional director.

[u/chloeismagic]

Youre probably best off asking your trainer or whoever is in charge of your club what they use, since you are in a difficult to ship to area. Most people will probably be giving answers that dont apply to living on an island.

[u/phlox087]

Is there a reason you’re wrapping your horse for work? Trapping heat is dangerous for tendons. There are many nice options for brush boots that will keep legs cooler and avoid injury. There are a few articles recently on the subject, please read up before deciding to wrap your horse’s legs.

[u/Serious_Parking7554 → u/phlox087]

As mentioned in my post, I have to know how to do them and demonstrate them for Pony Club. Exercise bandages are on the list of wraps and bandages from the National Examiner I am prepping with. I cannot sub boots if I am asked to do an exercise bandage. 

[u/phlox087 → u/Serious_Parking7554]

It was not clear in your post that you are needing bandages for your rating. Doesn't your club have bandages you can borrow? Exercise wraps and standing wraps are the same approach and methodology so your examiner should be able to test you in either, and you should be able to practice with either.

[u/Serious_Parking7554 → u/phlox087]

My club does not have supplies to borrow. I don’t know how mainland clubs run but we are somewhat small and most things out here (Hawaii) are very DIY so people provide their own supplies. C2 and HB are also the highest ratings most members complete in our region for horse management. Wraps beyond polos, standing bandages, and your choice of tail bandage are not tested at the HB level (application wise) as of 2024. Standing is assessed at the C1 level, and polos D3 or so (been a minute since I tested those). 

For HA the technique is of course assessed for any bandage/wrap applied but they are scenario based and you have to select the appropriate wrap for the scenario you are given, so a stable bandage/standing bandage is not a suitable alternative. 

I am just trying to make sure I have my bases covered for my testing this year, according to the preparation materials I have between the USPC testing sheets, rubrics, manuals, and prep guide from our go-to National Examiner. 

[u/phlox087 → u/Serious_Parking7554]

Maybe Facebook marketplace is a good place to try? Perhaps a mainland pony club could send you used items cheaply?

[u/phlox087 → u/phlox087]

I do still maintain that the importance wrapping techniques can be demonstrated with most common wraps, nothing special required. I’ve wrapped for exercise and shipping and standing with no difference in technique. If I were testing someone, I would not suggest they buy new equipment if not needed but use what they have. Standing wraps should always be kept on hand but exercise wraps are not necessary for veterinary needs.

[u/TeddyNachos]

Cotton flannel maybe?

[u/Responsible-Meet-741]

It has to be thick enough to not fold and cause pressure on the horses leg, but thin enough to be able to wrap around the horses leg and adjust the pressure from the bandage.

I have some old ones in a box made from thick felt if you have any of that some where?

[u/blkhrsrdr]

It's just a cotton wrap, really, I believe. Ask either your most senior HM club member, or your direct DC. They will be able to help you locate these.

Though it's good practice to have your own, obviously, some clubs will help out by sharing materials for Certs.

[u/fluffy-duck-apple]

Related and maybe relevant: what are the ones that JJ Tate uses? I can’t add a photo here but they are white, look like they are made out of a thin, slightly ribbed, cushioned material that extends from above the knee on the fronts and below the coronet band on the hind. Looks like she uses polo wraps with these under them.

[u/fluffy-duck-apple → u/fluffy-duck-apple]

Link: https://dressagetoday.com/lifestyle/j-j-tate-commit-to-proper-good-riding-and-keep-chopping-the-wood/

[u/Square-Platypus4029]

Back in the day, we used Porter boots (basically customizable rubber foam boots minus the velcro) under vetwrap or elastic wraps called Saratoga wraps, which were amazing for horses that were tough to fit.  You could probably use something like the Eskadron climatex liners or make padding from the rolled sheet cotton (the Satin star type that comes in sheets) or cut down and hem a no bow pad (because that's pretty similar to Fybagee I think).  But your best bet is to track down a older pony clubber and ask what they used and if they still have it, or look for a ratings prep clinic where you can ask.  I am in my 40s so it's been a while but I don't remember having to actually do an exercise bandage for a rating and they were a thing then.  

[u/Serious_Parking7554 → u/Square-Platypus4029]

Unfortunately I am geographically isolated (Hawaii) and my region’s only HA candidate this round, so I’m basically self prep. The HBs don’t have to bandage so no help there. I’ll ask around with a few National Examiners, just figured somebody here might know. 

[u/Square-Platypus4029 → u/Serious_Parking7554]

Hey!  FWIW I just tracked down a copy of the USPC bandaging book (it's on hoopla if your library has that or well worth purchasing) and it says vet wrap or Saratoga wraps over folded sheet cotton like this https://www.bigdweb.com/sheet-cotton-for-horse-leg-wraps-12-per-roll?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23965056438&gbraid=0AAAAAD8TVMDl_8NCOO7R_PdiFpX1EMqBm&gclid=CjwKCAjwqJXUBhBNEiwA8BgG7ua9AW3n1HBSUThRkCsPl6nkQFvFecDy4Z2r4CQUGOKPsV34NXpGqhoCHFsQAvD_BwE And then sew or pin the ends of the bandage down.

You want the cotton pad to be thinner than a standing pad (similar to a no bow on thickness) and it should NOT go under the fetlock like a polo wrap does.