Enter our 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways here!
SubscribeGift a Sub
Enable cache 100

Online Tack and Horse Equipment Guide: Polo Wraps

Polo Wraps: As the name suggests, polo wraps originated on the polo field, where they were used as protective covering for the horses’ legs with the bonus of being available in the teams’ colors. Polo wraps stand up to rigorous use and repeated washings, and they provide lightweight support for active horses. But they must be used correctly.

  • Always wrap from front to back. That way, any tension is placed across the front of the horse’s cannon bone, not against the tendons and ligaments that run down the back of the leg.
  • Start at the bottom of the leg, just above the fetlock joint, and wrap upward.
  • Each successive wrap should cover about 1/3 of the previous wrap.
  • You should finish just below the horse’s knee.
  • Make sure you maintained consistent pressure throughout the wrapping process. There shouldn’t be any gaps, lumps or large wrinkles.
  • Polo wraps are temporary protection for short-term exercise, performance or turn-out time. They are not meant to be left on overnight.



Click here for step-by-step instructions on correctly using polo wraps.



Back to HorseChannel’s Online Tack and Horse Equipment Guide

Horse Illustrated

Horse Illustrated is the magazine for people who are passionate about horses. Each issue offers advice on horse health and care, plus user-friendly training tips for both English and western riders and engaging lifestyle features for horse lovers.

View Comments

  • Thank you for posting this how-to. It's amazing how many times I have seen polos put on a horse improperly, and how much damage they can cause if they are not on correctly. I think this is something every horse person should read, there is no reason for horses to sustain injuries from wraps that are supposed to help the horse!

Recent Posts

EquiFest of Kansas 2026 Features an Exciting New Lineup, Cultural Showcases, and More

EquiFest of Kansas 2026 returns with its most dynamic and culturally rich program to date, featuring brand-new entertainment, elite competitions,…

12 hours ago

ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Tundra

Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the…

16 hours ago

New Year Riding Goals

Learn how to set and achieve your New Year riding goals with this excerpt, adapted from Fit & Focused in…

2 days ago

How Jessie Dowling’s Mongol Derby Adventure Paved the Way to More

The Mongol Derby—the longest horse race in the world—is undeniably an adventure of a lifetime. Riders cover over 1,000 kilometers as…

5 days ago

ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Moxie

Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the…

1 week ago

Exercises for Riders with Back Pain

As equestrians, we understand that our body is our most valuable tool when communicating with our equine partners under saddle.…

2 weeks ago