What do they mean by polo wraps?

Question

I am riding a pony for a woman at my barn and I was given instructions to put on his purple polo wraps when I rode. I looked in their trunk today to locate them for tomorrow when I ride him, and I found purple cloths rolled up that looked like trailering/polo wraps (but did not look very supportive), but then I found purple wraps that looked like jumping boots. I have seen him ridden in pink jumping boots before, but do you think they mean the purple cloths?

Answer 1

Yes, they look like an Ace Bandage when rolled up but alot thicker.

If not applied properly (from the right direction) or too tight can cause a tendon to bow so be careful.  

Here is how to do it:

1. hold the wrap with the end piece starting from underneath.  Start at the inside of the leg midway down the cannon bone.

2. place the end of the wrap between the bone and tendon in between the slight seperation of the bone and soft tissue.  You don't want to start the wrap on top of the bone as it can cause pressure and be uncomfortable once the wrap is wrapped around itself.  (kinda like wrinkles in a shirt or the feeling of a seam against our bodies that can cause discomfort)

3. so, starting 1/2 way down the inside of the cannon bone start wrapping towards the front and overlap the wrap so that 1/2 is overlapping and the other half will be next to be overlapped.  Continue down the leg pulling for security but not to tight...wrap around the fetlock, around the ergot and then come back up the leg and if properly spaced and overlapped, the end should be just under the knee and you will see either the velcro or string to finish it off.  The fastening should end on the outside of the leg but towards the front of the horse.  If the closure is string, you seperate the strings and wrap them neatly around each other until you can tie without alot of excess string hanging down.  I then wrap a strip of duct tape around the top for extra security.

4. Same procedure with other leg....just the opposite direction.

Just remember to apply steady pressure to make it taught but not too tight....you don't want them to fall down but you don't want to cut off circulation either.

I hope you understand what I'm trying to describe...if in doubt..just tell them that you don't normally use polo wraps and can they help you.  Some people think you wrap from the outside in..so find out the way "they" do it.

Just make sure there are no wrinkles, bunches or lumps..they should be smooth.

Whew...hope this helps!!  Have fun with the pony!!

Answer 2

If you don't know how to put on polo wraps, you need to ask the horse's owner or the barn manager for some instruction. Its not hard, but there is a technique to it that probably cannot be conveyed with on-line instructions. If you get them too tight, or wrap unevenly, you can damage the horse's legs, so it is very important that you learn to do it correctly.

Just let the owner know that you want to abode by her wishes for riding her horse, but that you just need some guidance.

Answer 3

Polo wraps support the horse's legs in the way a pair of support nylons do for a lady.

They are very long so wrap them around and around.  There is sticky square piece that you fasten it to at the end.  Be sure to start with the right end or else you will have to unwrap and start over.