New and Old Stuff

I am starting a series of How-To manuals called Secrets of a Lazy Trainer.
Secrets of a Lazy Trainer # 1 is now available.

I found this article and think it is something worth reviewing this time of year. A lot of horses going to trail rides, shows, rodeos and to be bred will be getting their tails wrapped. It is always good to occasionally review even a well known subject.

How to Apply a Horse Tail Bandage

The correct application of a tail bandage is vital. It is important as:

• protection for your horse's tail and/or plaiting when traveling;


• to lay the hairs flatly and smoothly


• as part of the grooming process; or


• for covering a mare.

Here is how to correctly use a tail bandage.

Steps

1. Roll the bandage correctly. Before beginning to apply the bandage, first ensure that it's correctly rolled.
   
   
   
   • Begin by rolling the bandage onto the tapes or Velcro fastening, so that the straps are inside.
   
   
   • Then continue to roll it up firmly and straight.


2. Start the laying process. With a wet water brush, dampen the tail down. This will help the hair to lay properly when the bandage is applied. But do not over dampen the tail or the bandage will constrict and cut off circulation!


3. Apply the bandage. With the bandage now correctly rolled, place the beginning of the bandage, just above your horse's dock, which means his tail bone. Angle it at roughly 45 degrees.
   
   
   
   • Remember to keep the actual roll on top.
   
   
   • Flip your horse's tail, over your shoulder, if necessary. And firmly roll around the tail just once.
   
   
   • Carefully fold back the diagonal flap over the bandage that you've just rolled.
   
   
   • Proceed to wind down the dock in even and firm turns, to about three quarters of the way down the tail bone. It is vital that you make sure that there are no creases. And that the pressure is even, to avoid pressure points and irritation.
   
   
   • Having rolled the bandage to three quarters of the way down, now wind the roll back up, until you come to the end of the bandage.


4. Secure the bandage. Keeping the fastening tapes flat, secure them by winding them around the bandage a couple of times.
   
   
   
   • Be sure to leave enough length to tie a bow, which needs to be tied slightly to the side of the tail.
   
   
   • Tuck the bow ends in and fold the above section of bandage over the bow, to avoid it being rubbed undone. Give your bandage a final check for any creases.
   
   
   • Gently bend the tail back into shape. The bandage is now correctly applied.


5. Remove the tail bandage correctly. To correctly remove the bandage, fold the section of bandage back that is over the bow. Untie the tape fastenings.
   
   
   
   • With one hand above the other, gently pull the bandage down. Pull it off in one go.

Video

Warnings

• Never ever forget to remove it! Otherwise your horse will rub it off and damage its tail!


• Always be careful around a horse. No matter how much you trust it.


• If you leave a horse tail bandage on for too long or too tightly, it can potentially cause your horse to lose circulation in his tail.


• Don't remove the bandage in one go as described above if you have bandaged over a plaited tail. The bandage must be unwind. Trying to remove it in one go will ruin the plait and may cause discomfort to the horse.

Things You'll Need

• A tail bandage with Velcro or tape fastenings


• A water brush


• A bucket of water

Related wikiHows

• How to Groom a Horse


• How to Walk a Horse


• How to Dismount a Horse


• How to Look After a Horse


• How to Bathe a Horse


• How to Yield to a Horse on a Multi Use Trail

Sources and Citations

• http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-apply-a-horse-tail-bandage" rel="nofollow">VideoJug A video on applying a horse bandage, demonstrated by Maylyn McEwan. Original source of article. Shared with permission and appreciation.

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Apply a Horse Tail Bandage. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.