THE TAIL BANDAGE AND TAIL GUARD
THE TAIL BANDAGE
You may wish to apply a tail bandage –
A- to protection while traveling your horse.
B- to lay the tail flat.
C- if it is injured and needs treatment.
Select your tail bandage, which is a long bandage with a little elasticity.
You must be able to stand behind your horse so if they kick, or you are unsure, you will need to do some work on desensitizing first.
Put the tail bandage around the tail at the top, leaving a piece of about 10 cm sticking up. Make sure the tail lays flat under the bandage.
Wrap the bandage around the tail and then fold the extra section down.
Wrap the bandage around again, covering the folded piece, and going up as high as you can on the tail.
The bandage should then be wrapped around the tail keeping the pressure equal all the time.
The bandage should be tight enough so that it does not slip but LOOSE ENOUGH SO YOU CAN EASILY SLIDE 2 FINGERS IN.
Bandage right down to the bottom of the dock and then back up. Finish in the middle with 2 wraps around in the same place.
Put the ties around and secure them. It is very important that you DO NOT TIGHTEN THIS MORE THAN THE BANDAGE as you will cause a pressure point.
Cover the ties with the bandage making sure it is completely smooth all the way around.
Place your hand under the tail and gently push the tail down so it lies in a natural position.
TO REMOVE THE TAIL BANDAGE
Undo the ties.
Hold on to the sides of the bandage at the top and slide it down and off.
THE TAIL GUARD
There are many types and they are used to protect the tail during travel.
They must have large attachment straps to spread the pressure equally over as large an area as possible.
Place the guard under the tail making sure the tail lays flat and it is up high enough to protect the top of the tail.
Do up the second strap down first.
Do up the top strap checking the tail is straight and smooth.
Re-check the second strap and then fasten the remaining straps.
Make sure you can easily slide a finger in between the guard and tail. Also check that the straps are equally tight, not sharp on the horse and that the tail lays naturally.
To remove the guard
undo all the straps from the bottom up.
Lift the tail and gently slide the guard out.
Final Thoughts
As with everything to do with your horse, you must practice in order to get it right.
To start with make sure you get a professional to check it, as an incorrectly applied tail bandage, or guard, can cause many issues and pain for your horse.