Is there any legitimate reason to wrap a horse's legs in plastic wrap?

Question

I was at a draft horse competition today, and I was walking around in the stable behind the show when I saw a woman wrapping her horse's legs in plastic wrap, and then put a polo wrap over it. This looked exactly like soring to me. I had never heard of soring drafts, but I guess it makes sense because they are judged by leg action, and they do do awful things to their feet in terms of shoeing. It was a large show, so there were security people walking around, and I mentioned this to two of them. One knew nothing about horses and brushed me off, and the other was unbelievably patronizing. I am in a wheelchair so it is sometimes hard to get people to take me seriously. Anyways, one said that she would go check it out, but I doubt that she did.

My question is could the person wrapping the horses legs have an actual GOOD reason to do it? Is there any medical treatment that it could have been? Also, if I see something like this in the future, how and who do I get the attention of to get it looked into?

Answer 1

There are legitimate reasons to do this - An injury like a cut heals faster if covered with antibiotic ointment and kept covered and most. Polo wrap still breathes so the plastic wrap would keep the ointment sealed against the skin and from seeping into the wrap. Second, if the horse pulled a muscle or injured that part of his leg a plastic wrap holds in the heat and speeds healing. Also, if an ointment was prescribed (like human ice/hot) and applied, it would work much better to cover it with plastic wrap then some vet wrap or polo wrap.

Answer 2

Yes, there are legitimate reasons to wrap a leg in plastic wrap. As another poster stated, a 'sweat' prescribed by a vet, or used by many lay horsemen is a common way to help reduce swelling or add support.



Chains around legs is to prevent horses from kicking. Horses are not always the brightest of creatures. If they were in a confined space and decided they wanted some attention, some may have learned to kick to get it. Unfortunately, the ones that do this continue to kick until something breaks. The door, stall wall.... or their leg. Yes really.



I would like to know what you're calling 'overly thick' shoes. And from which farrier school did you graduate to determine what 'overly flared' is? Wouldn't you WANT a thick shoe on a draft horse who's working on concrete or asphalt or rock most days? It protects the hooves.. and.. a flare is a conformational flaw that may or may not be corrected over time. My horse as a 3 to 7 y.o. had a terrible flare on his LH. It has since been eliminated through corrective trims and lots of balancing work.



I don't think people ignore you because you're in a wheelchair. They ignore you because you're histionic and come across like a trouble maker.



PETA much?

....Edit/ typo

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What is a 'matched show horse'?

How can a flare extend 2" beyond the hoof capsule? Please explain this to me?

And, tight legs are desirable in the show world as well as when a medical issue arises. So a sweat, using glycerine, furacine, DMSO or even doing a warm poultice using plastic wrap all will work toward this end.



The people advising you are not a representation to horses all over the world. They are a very small demographic that specializes in what they do, of course. Just because YOU and your people have not heard of something... does not automatically mean there is abuse taking place.



Continue down this path and you are going to find some pretty unpleasant responses to your inquiries. Going around accusing people of abusing their horses when in fact they're practicing exceptional care is going to end badly for you.



But hey, continue to bring on the TDs because that's not what you want to hear. You WANT TO HEAR people are abusing horses? Why, So you can be right and get all the glory for reporting??

Answer 3

Reducing a wind puff or preventing stocking up.



I agree with K F

PETA has created a bunch of Know-It-Alls out to cause trouble to gratify their own egos. I have hear some really idiot cacao de torro from people over the past ten or so years and even had the cops called about my "Lame Pony" who was standing head down, eyes closed with a hind foot resting.



Edit to ADD:



"I was at a draft horse competition today, and I was walking around in the stable behind the show when I saw a woman wrapping her horse's legs in plastic wrap, and then put a polo wrap over it. This looked exactly like soring to me....."



Sure sounds to me like you were snooping in hopes of making trouble. If you are not an owner, trainer, groom... you have no business being behind the stables snooping. The last thing people about to show need is some idiot trying to pet the pretty horsey or some egotistical do gooder giving a horse its "Freedom" so it can run out on the road and get itself and others kill.

Answer 4

I've wrapped my horse's legs with liniment and plastic wrap with a standing med bandage over it before.

My vet recommended it for my horse after he was coming back into work from a bow in his front leg.

This woman could have done something similar.

Don't always assume the worst of people.

Answer 5

I have often used plastic wrap over DMSO or Absorbine! Just for a very short time because it will heat up. It will creat heat and that will bring blood to the area and should promote healing. If his hooves were flaired a great deal he may have clipped himself is he wings in a little and they were putting some heat there.

Answer 6

I don't see why they would. I mean if a Horse is going to run, it's going to need to bend it's legs, not have it stiff. I don't see any legitimate reason, and you should contact the humane society to find out more. You could save some lives. Animal lives