A shipping bandage, shipping boot, or shipping wrap, is a type of

stable bandage A stable bandage, or standing bandage/wrap, is a type of wrap used on the lower legs of a horse. A stable bandage runs from just below the knee or hock, to the bottom of the fetlock joint, and protects the cannon bone, tendons of the lower leg, an ...

or boot used on the lower legs of a

horse The horse (''Equus ferus caballus'') is a domesticated, one-toed, hoofed mammal. It belongs to the taxonomic family Equidae and is one of two extant subspecies of ''Equus ferus''. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million y ...

to protect the animal while travelling in a

horse trailer A horse trailer or horse van (also called a horse float in Australia and New Zealand or horsebox in the British Isles) is used to transport horses. There are many different designs, ranging in size from small units capable of holding two or thre ...

or other conveyance. The bandage starts just below the knee or hock, and ends at the floor, protecting the cannon bone, tendons of the lower leg,

fetlock Fetlock is the common name in horses, large animals, and sometimes dogs for the metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints (MCPJ and MTPJ). Although it somewhat resembles the human ankle in appearance, the joint is homologous to the ba ...

, pastern, coronet, and heels of the horse. Some boot designs extend slightly above the knee and hock, offering protection to the joints in the event the horse bumps its upper legs on the sides of the trailer. With the modern development of synthetic shipping boots made with hook-and-loop fasteners, most people choose this option as they are quicker to apply. A poorly applied shipping bandage is also more likely to fall off than a shipping boot. However, if correctly applied with good tension,

safety pin The safety pin is a variation of the regular pin which includes a simple spring mechanism and a clasp. The clasp forms a closed loop to properly fasten the pin to whatever it is applied to and covers the end of the pin to protect the user from th ...

s, and

masking tape Masking tape, also known as painter's tape, is a type of pressure-sensitive tape made of a thin and easy-to-tear paper, and an easily released pressure-sensitive adhesive. It is available in a variety of widths. It is used mainly in painting, to ...

, a shipping bandage will stay well in place. Many horsemen believe that shipping bandages are superior to shipping boots, thinking they usually offer more protection than an ordinary shipping boot and tend to keep the circulation flowing in the lower leg. However, they can be detrimental if the person applying the bandage does not know how to do so properly, and may even injure the horse. As a general rule, shipping boots are faster and safer to use, but for long journeys, properly applied shipping bandages provide superior support.

References

* {{Horse equipment Horse management Horse protective equipment

See also

References