Provide supportive care for lameness or injury
PUBLISHER’S COMMENTS
Although it is common knowledge that a horse’s legs need support, incredibly, no book has been written on the many techniques that are available until now. Sue A. Allen, who has been teaching riding and giving horse leg care clinics for over ten years, wrote this book for the express purpose of teaching beginners as well as advanced horsepeople how to better care for their horses’ legs.
Preventive maintenance is stressed throughout. Allen emphasizes the use of polo bandages for working or training, and protective wraps for traveling. Find applying a leg bandage difficult to master? Ready-wraps will help ease your frustration. Is the overwhelming variety of horse boots confusing to you? Learn which boots to use when, and how to fit them correctly. Detect hot spots and other common problems. Proper care and the right support will help prevent these small problems from becoming major. A valuable addition to every equine lover’s library!
AUTHOR BIO
Allen, a former riding instructor, has given many clinics on the subject.
Born in Michigan, Sue Allen discovered the quiet joy of horses long before attending school. Her father kept a family horse and a neighbor raised Thoroughbreds. She fondly recalls climbing through the fence and catching a horse in the pasture to sneak a bareback joy ride.
While taking classes at NYU, she spent her leisure time at jumping classes or riding a hack in Central Park. Soon she added equestrian arts and horse training techniques to her journalism studies. After studying in New York, Sue made teaching and writing an important part of her life. For ten years she was a member of the health sciences staff at Columbia University in New York. On the weekends and evenings she taught hunt seat in Westchester and Southern Dutchess county show barns, and eventually started a small riding school of her own. She trained and exhibited her own horses from l986 to 1993.
A back injury unhappily put a stop to a heavy showing schedule, and eventually the school had to be set aside. Sue turned her attention back to writing and, seeing a need for riding students to learn how to protect the valuable legs on their mounts, continued giving leg care clinics at riding schools. Her assessment of the need for more information on the subject led to the writing of this book. Other books on foot and leg care are planned for the future.
Sue Allen’s articles and photography have been published in Horseman, Horseplay, The Chronicle of the Horse, Horse and Horseman , Poughkeepsie Journal, Southern Duchess News, Hudson Valley Magazine, and others .
Anyone who loves horses becomes wonderfully addicted to them, Sue claims. Working around horses remains a major part of her life. Sue takes her Anglo-Arab mare with her across the country, and she occasionally takes on the training of a young horse or a serious rider.
REVIEWS
“…no book has been written contrasting the pros and cons of the many techniques available…until now…essential…” (The Bookwatch)
“a great reference book for beginner to advanced riders who want to do everything possible to protect their horse’s legs.” (Horseplay)
“photos and drawings demonstrate every step in this comprehensive handbook, which includes information on every aspect of leg care.”
(Horse Action)
“It gives sound advice, with accompanying photos and diagrams to make everything easy to understand.” (Paul Berg, Small Farm Today)
“Readers learn when each type of wrap is most commonly used and how to wrap each.” (Western Horseman)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1 Keeping Your Horse’s Legs Sound
Preventive Maintenance
Protective and Supportive Leg Coverings
Chapter 2 Polo Wraps for Working Horses
Rolling Bandages
Applying a Polo Bandage
When to Go Unwrapped
Cleaning and Care of Bandages
Chapter 3 Track Bandages for Sporting Horses
How to Wrap Track Bandages
When to Use Fresh Sheets
Chapter 4 Standing Wraps
When to Use Standing Wraps
Schedules for Using
Applying a Standing Bandage
Emergency Substitutions for Standing Bandages
Shipping Wraps
Applying Cold, Wet Wraps
Chapter 5 Boots for Working Horses
Boots as an Alternative to Bandages
Types of Working Boots
Working Boots for Interfering
Choosing the Right Size
Boot Care
Chapter 6 Leg Injuries that Require Bandaging
Types of Leg Ailments
Leg Problems of Older Horses
Methods of Therapy
Cold Therapy
Poultices and Gels
Complete Stall Rest
Conclusion
Glossary
Recommended Reading
About the Author
