09/20/2026
Backside Basics: Common Bandages on the Racetrack
Bandaging is one of those skills that looks simple from the outside, but there is a lot of judgment behind it. What type of bandage is used, how it is secured, what goes underneath it, and how long it stays on can all vary depending on the horse, the trainer, the work the horse is doing, and the purpose of the bandage.
This graphic shows some of the common ways you may see these bandages used on the racetrack, but it is important to understand that barns do things differently. One trainer may use cotton underneath an elastic or vet wrap while another may not. One barn may prefer one type of training bandage over another. Even the same horse may be bandaged differently depending on whether it is jogging, galloping, breezing, racing, or recovering afterward.
That is why part of learning this job is not just memorizing “this bandage goes here.” It is learning to recognize the different materials, understand why they are being used, and then follow the system your trainer, assistant, or foreman wants for that particular horse.
For training bandages, you will commonly see polos, elastics, and vet wrap.
A polo is a fleece training bandage commonly used for everyday exercise and lighter protection. It may be secured with a safety pin through the Velcro strap. One important racetrack rule we teach is not to use polos on a wet surface, because once that fleece becomes wet it can change how the wrap sits and behaves on the leg.
An elastic, or Ace-style bandage, is another common training wrap. These are often secured with two safety pins in a + configuration near the outside top of the bandage. Some trainers also use a thin layer of cotton underneath their elastics. Again, that part can vary by barn.
A vet wrap bandage is often used for higher-speed work such as breezes, works, or races because it is more secure at speed and provides additional protection. It can help protect against run-downs, and some horses may also have a 3M patch placed around the lower back of the ankle for extra protection in that area. Some trainers may also put a thin layer of cotton underneath the vet wrap.
Then you have what we commonly refer to as night bandages.
An alcohol standing bandage generally consists of a bandage pillow with a standing wrap over top, with alcohol used underneath as part of the horse’s leg care. These are secured with two vertical safety pins.
A poultice bandage starts with poultice applied to the leg. A large diamond-shaped paper towel is placed over the poultice, with the upper portion extending above the knee while the lower portion is tucked underneath the standing bandage. A bandage pillow and standing wrap are then applied over it and secured with two vertical safety pins. Poultice is commonly used after work because of its cooling recovery effect.
A sweat bandage has a different purpose. Cotton and a bandage pillow are used with Saran Wrap around the outside to trap heat. That is why the outside of a sweat looks shiny and completely covered in plastic. The goal is to create heat and help reduce inflammation.
No matter what type of bandage you are applying, there are a few details that matter across the board.
Safety pin clasps should point downward or toward the back of the horse. Bandages should run against the cannon bone rather than against the tendon. Pressure should be even, the wrap should lie smoothly, and you should never try to “make it work” if something does not look or feel right.
And probably the biggest lesson for a new groom or rider: don’t assume.
If you move barns, you may be taught a slightly different way to do the same bandage. That does not automatically mean one barn is right and the other is wrong. There are different materials, different preferences, and different reasons for using certain wraps. Your job is to understand the basics well enough to recognize what you are looking at, then learn exactly how the people responsible for that horse want it done.
Bandaging is a hands-on skill. You learn it by watching, practicing, having someone check your work, taking it off, and doing it again.
The goal is never just to put something around a horse’s leg.
The goal is to understand what you are using, why you are using it, and how to do it safely.
