Horse Leg Care & Wrapping Guide
Why Leg Care Is a Daily Priority
A horse's legs absorb enormous impact — every stride at every gait puts tremendous stress on tendons, ligaments, joints, and hooves. Leg problems are the leading cause of lameness, and lameness is the leading cause of lost training time, retirement, and in severe cases, euthanasia. A daily leg care routine catches problems early, before they become serious.
Daily Leg Inspection: What to Look For
Before and after every ride, run your hands down all four legs checking for:
- Heat — warmth above ambient temperature in a tendon or joint indicates inflammation; compare both legs
- Swelling — any puffiness around joints or along tendons warrants attention; "stocking up" (uniform lower leg swelling) is less serious but should resolve with exercise
- Pain on palpation — the horse flinching or pulling away when you squeeze a tendon or ligament is a red flag
- Cuts and scrapes — especially around the pastern and coronet band where injuries are common
- Changes in hoof temperature — a hot hoof can indicate laminitis or an abscess
Rule of thumb: When in doubt, call your vet. Early intervention prevents minor issues from becoming career-ending injuries.
Types of Leg Protection
Polo Wraps
Polo wraps are stretchy fleece bandages used during exercise to support and protect the lower leg. They must be applied correctly — uneven tension causes pressure sores or bowed tendons.
How to wrap:
- Start at the top of the cannon bone, just below the knee
- Wrap in the direction of the tendons (front to back on the outside, back to front on the inside) — always wrap medially to laterally
- Apply even, moderate tension throughout — not too tight, not too loose
- Overlap each layer by 50%
- End above the fetlock with the closure Velcro on the outside of the leg
- You should be able to slide two fingers under the wrap easily
Never leave polo wraps on overnight — they are exercise-only wraps and can cause serious injury if left on for extended periods.
Exercise Boots
Boots are faster to apply than wraps and provide more targeted protection:
- Splint/brushing boots — protect the lower inside of the leg from the horse striking itself; most common everyday exercise boot
- Tendon boots — open-fronted design used in jumping; protects tendons while allowing the horse to feel fence poles
- Fetlock boots — protect the fetlock joint, often used on hind legs to prevent brushing injuries
Shop our active exercise boot picks:
- TuffRider Wool Fleecing Dressage Boots — classic fleece protection for flatwork
- TuffRider Airflow Iron Man Sherpa Fleece Fetlock Boots — breathable fetlock protection
Fly Boots
Fly boots protect the lower legs from insect bites during turnout — essential in warm months when flies cause horses to stamp repeatedly, increasing leg fatigue and injury risk.
- TuffRider StableShield Horse Fly Boots — durable fly protection for turnout
Shipping Boots
Used during transport to protect the legs from knocks and scrapes in the trailer. They cover from the knee/hock to the hoof.
- TuffRider 600D Oxford Shipping Boot — Set of 4 — full set for all four legs, durable 600D construction
Cold Therapy: Ice and Cold Hosing
Cold therapy reduces inflammation and is one of the most effective post-exercise leg care tools available. Use after hard workouts, jumping sessions, or any time you notice mild heat or puffiness.
- Cold hosing — run cold water over the legs for 15–20 minutes; free and highly effective
- Ice boots — more practical for longer treatment sessions or when a hose isn't accessible
Our ice boot picks:
When to Call the Vet
- Lameness at any gait that doesn't resolve after 24 hours of rest
- Significant swelling, especially if warm and painful
- Any wound near a joint — joint infections are emergencies
- A hot hoof with digital pulse (laminitis)
- Sudden severe lameness — could indicate a fracture or serious soft tissue injury
Shop Horse Leg Care
- Horse Grooming & Care — browse all leg care, boots, and wraps
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