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Polo Principles: The Ins and Outs (and Arounds and Arounds) of Wrapping Your Horse's Legs

Essential for a variety of reasons, including injury prevention and treatment, protection, and support during exercise, polos are the most popular method of wrapping your horse’s legs. Easy to apply, just start at the cannon groove and wrap counterclockwise on the horse’s left leg and clockwise on the right, being snug but not restrictively tight (and make sure you’re starting with a correctly rolled polo – nothing’s more frustrating than finishing to find the Velcro upside down! Put the soft side of the Velcro up on an unwrapped polo, fasten the tab, and begin rolling tightly around it).


Ubiquitous in the barn, there are many proven pros (and just a few cons) about polo wraps:


Pros:

  1. Protection: Polo wraps provide a comfortable layer of protection for your horse’s legs. They help prevent injury from bruising or knocking against obstacles, as well as helping to keep the flies at bay around the legs.

  2. Support: Polo wraps can provide extra support for your horse's legs, especially for horses with weak or injured tendons and ligaments. This added support can help reduce the risk of further injury and help to provide stability and security for your horse during exercise.

  3. Comfort: Polo wraps can help reduce inflammation and swelling in your horse’s legs, which may help relieve pain and discomfort. They can also help reduce pressure on the horse’s tendons and ligaments, further helping to reduce the risk of injury.

Cons:

  1. Over-Wrapping: Some horse owners may be tempted to wrap their horse’s legs too tightly, which can cause circulation problems and increase the risk of injury. Over-wrapping can also lead to overheating and dehydration, which can be harmful to your horse’s health.

  2. Incorrect Application: In addition to over-wrapping, putting the wrap on too loosely or in the wrong location can cause more harm than good. Incorrect application, including leaving them on too long, can, at best, offer no benefit, and at worst, cause pressure sores, restrict circulation, and cause injuries.

  3. Over-Reliance: Some horse owners may become overly dependent on polo wraps and use them as a crutch instead of addressing the underlying problem. This can lead to long-term damage and reduced quality of life for your horse. Always work to find the root cause of a problem, rather than just address the symptoms.




Unquestionably important for most horses, polo wraps are best used by experienced equestrians or under the guidance of vets, farriers, or trainers. Understand the benefits and responsibilities of polo wraps and you’ll have an additional and vital tool in helping to keep your horse healthy and happy.

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