bowed tendon

How to Wrap a Bowed Tendon

Introduction

When a horse sprains or tears one or two of its flexor tendons, the injury is called a bowed tendon. Flexor tendons are located in the back of a horse’s lower leg. Bowed tendons can ruin a competitive horse’s chances of winning future races. Therefore, it is very important to wrap their bowed tendon injury carefully and properly. Do not let your horse race while they are healing from their injury. Speak with your horse’s vet for further information.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You'll Need:

- Ice

- Cotton roll

- Gauze

- Elastic bandage

- Surgical tape

Instructions

Step 1

Ice the injury right away. Ice reduces swelling and will help prevent additional damage to the leg. Ice is most helpful immediately after the injury occurs.

Step 2

Apply padding to the injury. Roll no less than one inch of cotton around the leg. Begin rolling the cotton over the leg from directly beneath the coronary band to right under the knee.

Step 3

Layer stretch gauze on top of the padding in a figure-eight pattern. This will hold the padding in place. Secure the gauze with surgical tape.

Step 4

Attach an elastic bandage to the horse’s leg. Leave enough space between the bandage and the horse’s leg for your pinky to fit inside. Start attaching the bandage by looping over the injury and spiraling the bandage down beneath the coronary band and end at the bottom of the hoof. Go over already bandaged areas with additional bandaging for stability. Hold the bandage in place with surgical tape.

Tip

Speak to your vet about pain management for the horse.

Equisearch: How to Wrap a Bowed Tendon

http://www.equisearch.com/horses_care/health/illnesses_injuries/bowedtendonbandage_080206/

Horse Forum: Bowed Tendon or Bandage Bow?

http://www.horseforum.com/horse-health/bowed-tendon-bandage-bow-21024/