How to wrap polo wraps:

At the request of some of our facebook fans, this weeks segment is on how to properly wrap polo wraps. First I want to talk about the purpose these wraps serve, as well as the appropriate time and place to use them 

Polo wraps are designed to offer padding and protection to your horses legs should they bump them on a jump rail, hit themselves with their other legs, etc. They do offer some support, but is debatably minimal especially when compared to other boots. Polo wraps should be used anytime you ride or lunge, with the exception of riding through water or in wet conditions. They are permitted in equitation and jumper divisions, but not in the hunters. When shipping locally, polos can also be used instead of shipping boots or wraps.

It is very important that polo wraps are applied correctly. If they are applied to tight, or with uneven pressure, they can cause serious tendon damage. If they are applied too loose, they will sag, and can potentially slip down off the horses leg which can go from fine to incredibly dangerous in about half a second.

So whats the right way to put polo wraps on?

1. Start in the middle of the inside of the leg at the top of the leg (back legs
you want to start about midway up the leg since its a longer area to cover). You
will start unwrapping by coming across the front, towards the back on the
outside of the leg, around the back of the leg, and towards the front on the
inside of the leg.

2. ONLY PULL TO TIGHTEN as you are heading towards the back of the horse, and you never want to pull very tight, just enough for it to have a snug feeling.

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3. Make your way down the horses leg, keeping the same amount of space between each wrap.

4. "Sling' the wrap under the fetlock, then work your way back up the leg, again keeping the same space between wraps. You should now have an upside-down V on the front of the fetlock

5. Secure the Velcro just under the knee and you're all done! 

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*Note* These wraps were a bit long for zip, but the great thing about polos is you can take a pair of scissors to them and make them fit just right.

Also, as Zip so diligently showed in the video that horses don't always stand perfectly still, never try to pull against the left with the wrap to get the horses leg back down. Always just follow the leg until it is back down. If the horse is really freaking out, use your best judgment to either pull the wrap off (by unwrapping it quickly) or just getting out of the way. NEVER put yourself in a dangerous spot or situation.

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