[No1Dazy]

Each time my mare does a flying change, she catches herself in the left front fetlock and makes herself bleed. (A little quick history--the area that she is opening up has some scar tissue--she took a fall in a grass warm up ring last summer and cut her fetlock badly. Although the area is completely healed, she now opens the skin on that fetlock in the show arena. It was never a problem before.) At home, she works ALWAYS in DSBs. I also warm her up in them.

BUT, boots aren't allowed in the dressage show arena. Is there something legal I can put on her leg while she shows? My husband recommended super glue, (They actually use it in the OR, or when cats are declawed, etc), but I'm not sure if that will PROTECT the area, or just help keep it closed after it's already open. (At this last show, the cut was very small. At the show before that, she actually made herself lame.)

I saw a rundown patch mentioned in one of the racing threads, but I don't know how big they are, or if they can be used without vet wrap, or if they're even legal on the legs in dressage. I may pick one up and get a better look at it, though.

Ideas?? Help please!

Not sure where this belonged...it's not really training or tack, and not a specific event, so since we're talking about cuts I went with horse health.

[Native Winds]

Check and see if self adheasive mole skin is allowed. You can find it in the foot care section in most drug stores. You can also color the outside part of it to match your horses leg colour.

I dont think run down patches are allowed either, but i'm not on the up and up with the leg care laws of dressage. Sorry i'm not much help on this one.

[No1Dazy]

Originally Posted by Native Winds

Check and see if self adheasive mole skin is allowed. You can find it in the foot care section in most drug stores. You can also color the outside part of it to match your horses leg colour.

I dont think run down patches are allowed either, but i'm not on the up and up with the leg care laws of dressage. Sorry i'm not much help on this one.

I've never seen it before. What is mole skin?

[Native Winds]

Originally Posted by No1Dazy

I've never seen it before. What is mole skin?

Its fabric with a cotton like pile on one side that is cut real short and feels like a velvety soft surface. The fabric is sort of thick but not bulky and it has a self adeavsive backing. You can cut it to what ever size you need. It is often used to cover the backs of human heels if shoes tend to rub or blister them and other parts of the foot. Its a protective cover that is kind of a tan creamy colour (skin coloured). You can find it in the foot care section of most drug stores and at WalMart, KMart, Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS, Probably Krogers, and other (your township) drug stores.

I just found out that run down patches are also made in clear thin type of plastic. I also beleive its self adheasive.

[NovDressageRdr]

Rundown patches are not supposed to be used on the skin directly. The only time boots or wraps are allowed is in warm up or Pas De Dux (i think thats how you spell it, if not where multiple horses do a mirror pattern) I have the same problem with my mare but she actually catches her heel and causes some nice injuries.

[RickB.]

How long has she been doing flying lead changes? At home, do the DSB's show any indication that she is hitting?

If so, there could be a couple/few reasons. Balance, ability, rider, trim/shoeing, conditioning, etc.

[JBandRio]

My guess is that if this only happens during FLCs, then it's a balance issue which needs to be addressed.

[Native Winds]

Originally Posted by NovDressageRdr

Rundown patches are not supposed to be used on the skin directly. The only time boots or wraps are allowed is in warm up or Pas De Dux (i think thats how you spell it, if not where multiple horses do a mirror pattern) I have the same problem with my mare but she actually catches her heel and causes some nice injuries.

THere are some that are adheasive but I cannot see them being that sticky to create problems. I'm not talking duct tape type of adhesive. Its just common sense that the adhesive is not the type that can stick two barns together. The adhesive is just enough to keep the patch from slipping around like the Vetrap cohesive sticky.. They are also usualy wraped with latex type of wrap. Since Equisport wrap has come out its being used more for that same reason.

The ones that I have been exposed to have to be wrapped on and used with Sealtex latex wrap or what have you.

[No1Dazy]

I asked the USEF directly about Moleskin and Rundown patches. I received this response:

Unfortunately DR121.6 prohibits the use of bandages in the show ring and is under penalty of elimination. I am sorry that I could not be of more help however; this type of "bandage" is not allowed in Dressage competition.

[Native Winds]

Darn, It seems that your out of luck. I wonder if putting some nail polish (clear) on the area to at least help from bing ripped open. I'm not sure what else to tell you. Since I cant see you work and watch how your horse is moving there is nothing I can even suggest some manuvers for better carriage of the horse.