BANDAGES 



used, but for the two latter linen are the best. In all cases 



the legs should be rubbed before 

 the bandages are applied, in order 

 that proper circulation of the blood 

 is ensured and that the limbs are 

 comfortably warm. It frequently 

 occurs that they are put on 

 too tight, in which case the 

 circulation is impeded, and should 

 the legs swell or the bandages 

 shrink, the skin may be cut by 

 the tapes and the horse marked 

 for life. If applied wet, as in 

 cases of inflammation, they should 

 be kept damp by repeated atten- 

 tion, for when they become dry 

 they are apt to get very hot. 

 Consequently, it is best to use a 

 cool, dry bandage the last thing 

 at night, reserving the wet ones for day treatment, when the 

 horse can be better attended to ; but it may be added that 

 an outer layer of oiled silk will assist in keeping them moist 

 for several hours. Bandages should never be put on too 

 tight, because of the above-mentioned tendency of the legs 

 to swell a little, and besides this, it must be remembered 

 that every subsequent layer of bandage after the first 

 exercises increased pressure upon those beneath it. They 

 should be kept rolled up with the tapes inside, and when 

 put on, a bandage should lie along the outside of the 

 cannon bone with the end pointing towards the knee. The 

 lower part of the leg above the fetlock should be first dealt 

 with and the bandage wound round it in an upward direction, 

 until the end near the knee is almost reached. This end 

 should then be turned down and the bandage wound round 

 it and tied a few inches below the knee or hock. In cases of 

 emergency a good temporary bandage can be made out of 

 stockings split down lengthways at each side so as to form 



20 



Bandaging the Leg. 



