bandage mind boggler!!!

[so-n-so]

can someone clear this up for me as i feel a bit thick...

can you or cant you just use exercise bandages on their own?

i always got told you had to use gamgee under, travel, stable or exercise bandages, - but iv seen pics in mags of horses with just bandages on, as i would think for work gamgee and bandages would be too bulky???

[Gix]

Gamgee or fibregee helps even out pressure of bandages so personally I would never use bandages on legs without one or the other.

[Grey Haven]

I thought the exercise type bandages needed gamgree - the big thick fleecey once didn't - ie travel/stable.

Not sure about polo wraps though!!

[BEX101]

I've got a feeing there are some bandages out there that say you dont need padding but i wouldnt like to risk it.
If you cut your gamgee down to size so it doesnt overlap by much then its not bulky at all. You can also get shaped pads to use instead of gamgee that are alot thinner and maybe give the impression there is nothing under the bandages.

Years ago i saw a mare with a cut to the front of her cannon bone. They were putting a dressing on the wound and securing with vet wrap but no actual padding. The pressure from the bandage caused a pressure sore along the back of the tendon and over a couple of weeks the hair fell out and then the skin just peeled right off. In parts the tendon sheath was exposed. She was only ever used as a broodmare after that.

[My Crazy Clan]

I think they are supposed to be used with something underneath, sometimes your can see this some times you can't.

I wouldn't have thought it would be that bad if they are not tight or used for a lot of work.

[Tiaki]

Depends on the type of bandage

If it's more of a stretchy bandage then yes, gamgee should be used underneath. If it's fleece bandages or polo wraps then no, you don't need anything underneath

xxx

[CityLights]

Technically correct BHS answer - you should never apply bandages without proeprly applied and correct padding, otherwise you will get pressure points, no matter what type of bandage the inteded application or anything, if your bandaging you should be pads on

but not everyone does, when i go to competitions or training generally bandage with fleece exercise bandages and dont use pads,

excersice bandages dont need to be elasticated, they can be fleecy but they arent the type of bandages you would go XC in they are for flat work and are desinged for mild support warmth (which helps joints) and protection

some pictures it looks like they arent wearning pads under them but they are you can just get really good at bandaging and get right on the edge without over lapping the pads, so it looks smart rather than having a whitre stripe round the top or bottom

the eskadron pads although picey are great casue they are a bit strechy so you can shape them and pull them to go under and around joints which makes it much easier to bandage