If you are relatively new to the equestrian community, you may have seen the odd sight of horses with bright tape decorating their bodies. In today’s post, we will dive into the explanation for this seemingly strange phenomenon. Why do you tape a horse? How do you tape a horse? What kind of tape should I use? Let us find out.
Why Do You Tape A Horse?
Protection During Exercises
Promoting and preserving particular areas of the body is one of the main goals of taping horses. Horses may sustain wounds or sprains to their ligaments, tendons, and muscles, much like human athletes can. During demanding physical exercises like jumping or dressage, taping techniques are utilized to reinforce these vulnerable regions, such as the fetlocks, hocks, or suspensory ligaments. The stabilizing effect of the tape lowers the possibility of future injury and speeds up recovery.
Regaining Muscle & Strength
Taping procedures are used to assist and relieve discomfort in horses throughout their recovery, just like physiotherapy is done in humans. Horses may feel pain following an operation or injury and need special care to help them recover. In order to assist the horse in progressively regaining muscle and movement, taping can help minimize swelling, support troubled regions, and provide pain relief. Taping to prevent stocking up on horses is common among riders.
Insect Control
Surprisingly, the tape may act as an effective barrier against mosquitoes and flies. Horses can become extremely bothered by flies and the dangerous diseases they hold, particularly during summer. Fly-repellent tapes, which have insect-repelling qualities built in, are sometimes used by equestrians to provide a barrier around the horse’s body. By using this method, pesky insects may be temporarily avoided, enabling the horse to concentrate on its job.
Optimizing Movement
Additionally, taping can be used to help rectify a horse’s stride or stance. Horses occasionally have abnormal movements or a propensity to transfer their weight in the wrong direction. Equestrians may encourage correct alignment and movement patterns by utilizing specialized taping techniques, which will improve the horse’s performance and lower the likelihood of strain or injury. To solve these issues, tape techniques like “correction bands” or “kinesiology tape” are frequently used.
Types Of Tapes For Horses
Horse taping has grown into a crucial component of equestrian control and care. Different kinds of tapes are employed for various tasks, including mobility support, injury protection, posture correction, and insect control. Given below are certain types of tape selection for different horse leg issues.
Kinesiology Tape
Kinesiology tape is an elastic, flexible tape that resembles the characteristics of human skin. It is intended to promote healthy muscle and joint function while facilitating mobility and support. Kinesiology tape is frequently used to treat pain, improve the stimulation of muscles, and fix movement irregularities. It is frequently used in rehabilitation procedures to help damaged or strained muscles heal.
Cohesive Tape
Horse taping frequently makes use of cohesive bandages, commonly referred to as self-adhesive bandages or vet wrap. These bandages are simple to put on and take off since they stick to one another but not the horse’s skin or hair. Cohesive bandages are frequently used to stabilize and constrain limbs, hold on to treatments or wound covers, and shield the body from small wounds. They are customizable and personalized due to their wide range of widths and colors.
Athletic Tape
The equestrian industry makes extensive use of athletic tape, commonly referred to as sports tape. The woven or non-woven cloth used to make it has adhesive characteristics that support and stabilize the horse’s limbs. During strenuous physical activity, athletic tape is frequently used to wrap and safeguard the fetlocks, hocks, tendons, and ligaments. By applying pressure as well as protection to delicate regions, it aids in preventing strain and damage.
Supportive Tape/Padding
The use of supportive padding is crucial in horse taping. To offer further insulation, safety, and stress distribution, tapes can be used in combination with a variety of padding components, such as foam, felt, or specialized gel pads. To avoid friction or discomfort and to provide the horse’s body with more support and relief, padding is frequently utilized underneath the tapes.
Insect-Repellent Tape
Fly-repellent tapes are made particularly to ward off pesky insects. They have chemicals that repel flies and other insects injected into them or coated on them. These tapes serve as a barrier of protection, assisting horses to remain relaxed and alert while participating in outside activities. In order to protect the horse’s face, neck, and body from flies when in the pasture or on rides, fly-repellent tapes are commonly used.
How To Tape A Horse?
To improve a horse’s productivity and health, tape can offer the necessary assistance, safety, and remedial measures. It is crucial to handle the taping procedure carefully and effectively. Given below are some important steps to keep in mind regarding how to tape horses.
- Prior to beginning, acquire all the required supplies. This contains the proper tape for your horse’s needs, scissors, and any extra cushioning that might be necessary.
- Determine the precise place that has to be taped, such as the fetlock, hock, or other focused areas. Analyze the anatomy of the horse to see whether any wounds or weaknesses are present.
- Clean and dry the region where the tape will be placed such that there is a lower chance of skin irritation.
- If required, cover the area where the tape will come into contact with the skin with padding or a non-adherent dressing. This is crucial when applying adhesive tape to wounds or other delicate places.
- In order to give sufficient support and compression, wrap the tape in a twisted or zigzag pattern, gradually tightening the grip.
- Utilise kinesiology tape along the targeted muscles or joints as directed by the tape manufacturer’s instructions.
- Apply fly-repellent tape snugly but comfortably over the horse’s face, neck, or other exposed regions that are vulnerable to fly aggravation.
- Ensure the tape is securely fastened but not too tightly so that the horse can move freely and have good circulation.
- Look for any indications of pain, irritability, or impaired performance in the taped region. If any problems occur, make the required adjustments or remove the tape right away.
- Once it’s time to take off the tape, be gentle so as not to irritate or harm the horse’s skin.
- Without pulling or yanking on the hair or skin, use scissors to delicately cut the tape.
- If there is still adhesive residue, carefully wipe the area with mild soap and water or an adhesive remover made especially for horse use.
Other Usages Of Tape For Horses
Tape Applications For Hoof Cracks In Horses
Horses’ hoof cracks can be managed and supported with the use of tape. A properly placed piece of tape may offer support, encourage healing, and shield the hoof’s delicate parts. Commencing at the heel region, wrap the cohesive bandages or elastic adhesive tape around the hoof in a spiral or diagonal pattern, commencing at the bottom of the hoof.
The tape has to round the hoof wall and cross over the crack. For a firm grip, make sure each piece of tape just barely overlaps the one before it. When you get to the top of the hoof, firmly push the tape on the hoof wall to hold it in place. To keep the tape from unraveling, make sure the end is firmly fastened.
Taping To Prevent Stocking Up In Horses
Stocking up, a syndrome characterized by swelling and fluid collection in the lower limbs, may be prevented and managed with the use of taping. When horses are stabled for lengthy periods of time without enough mobility or exercise, stocking up can happen. In the horse’s legs, taping can help with circulation issues and edema reduction. Start the taping procedure at the horse’s foot.
Just above the coronary band, tightly but not too tightly, wrap the cohesive bandage or elastic adhesive tape around the bottom of the hoof. Working your way up the horse’s leg, keep spiraling the cohesive bandage or elastic adhesive tape. To provide constant support, make sure each wrap just barely covers the one before it.
Taping For Reducing Inflammation In Horses
Horses can benefit from taping as a supportive approach to aid with inflammation reduction. A horse’s body can benefit from compression, support, and help with edema or inflammation management when the tape is placed properly. Starting below the inflamed region, wrap the cohesive bandage or elastic adhesive tape around the afflicted area to begin taping.
In order to apply the tape uniformly and produce compression, use a spiral or crisscross design. Wrap the inflammatory region and surrounding tissues with the cohesive bandage or elastic adhesive tape in an upward motion. For optimum support and compression, extend the taping a few inches above and below the inflammatory region.
FAQs on Why do you tape a horse
What are horse tapes called?
They are commonly referred to as Equi-Tapes.
What is the most common use of horse tape?
It can provide safety and protection to the horse, aid in mobility correction, act as a fly-repellent, and catalyzes the rehabilitation procedure.
Final Thoughts
So, why do you tape a horse? Horses can benefit from taping in a variety of ways, including support and stability, avoiding injuries, movement adaptation, rehabilitation, and fly control. Horse owners and trainers may improve the health, performance, and general comfort of their horses by using the proper taping methods and materials.
