Influence of bandage material on pressure distribution under the bandage on the distal forelimb of the galloping horse

Bandaging of thoroughbred race horses is very common. Bandaging is used for prevention of abrasion and support purposes. The support function of different bandage materials and bandage configurations has been quantified in the literature by in-vitro energy absorption studies. How far the measured energy absorption is significant from a physiological point of view and to what force underneath a bandage it translates during galloping is unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of bandaging and the influence of bandage material on the kinematics of the forelimb of the galloping horse and to compare the pressure distribution underneath bandages of different materials. The results of the kinematic part of the study are reported elsewhere (Kobluk et al., unpublished). Seven mature thoroughbred race horses were investigated with six different bandages during standing (before and after a trial) and during galloping in an unfatigued and a fatigued condition on a high-speed treadmill. Pressure distribution was collected from a capacitive 21-sensors measurement mat placed underneath the bandage on top of the fetlock joint at a sampling frequency of 100 Hz. The results indicate that the pressures and forces underneath the bandage are high (up to 14.4 N cm⁻², 290 N respectively) and that they increase from unfatigued to fatigued galloping as quantified by heart rate. The behaviour of the investigated bandages showed significant differences between them. Some bandages exhibited forces and pressures that might restrict the blood flow.