Articles Written 1
Article Views 4,360

Katja Bredlau–Morich

Achievements

About Katja Bredlau–Morich

Latest Articles Written

Tendon Taping for the Event Horse: An Excerpt from ‘Kinesiology Taping for Horses’

Interest in kinesiology taping is huge, especially since people see the colorful tape on human athletes during athletic competition, such as the Olympic Games. Equine physiotherapist Katja Bredlau-Morich—who is certified in equine kinesiology taping—decided to make taping techniques and their applications for horses more accessible to a wider audience through her how-to book Kinesiology Taping for Horses. In this excerpt, she explains the basics of tendon taping techniques.

Photo courtesy of Trafalgar Square Books.

Muscles are attached to bones at their origin and insertion via tendons. Muscles and muscle fibers are surrounded and enclosed in fascia, and from these muscle-enclosing fascia sheaths are derived the parallel-fibrous tendons, which look like whitish strands. Through the periosteum (“the skin of the bones”) the tendons attach to the bones.

Tendons have very small elastic fibers, which make them pretty tensile and tear-proof. But long tendons like the superficial or deep digital flexor tendons can have a certain amount of elasticity and spring force because of their length. This is how the fetlock, which is supported by the suspensory ligament and the flexor tendons can actually touch the ground under extreme load and movement (like landing after a jump, or in piaffe and passage, or doing spins).

When those ligaments and tendons are weakened or injured, tendon taping can provide support.

Applying Tendon Taping: The Basics

The most important part of tendon taping is support of the fetlock joint. Cut at least one “I” strip—two or three are even better. Take the first one, tear the paper backing in the middle and remove about 4 inches (10 cm) of the paper so that the back side of the fetlock will be covered. Give this exposed part of the tape a moderate to strong stretch and apply the tape from behind and below the fetlock in an upward, forward direction.

Handle the tape with flat fingers, Apply one end over the front of the fetlock with no stretch and then the other. It is okay if the ends overlap in the front. Rub over the tape vigorously to activate the adhesive through friction and heat.

If you have more than one “I” strip, apply them using the same method, but the second one (and maybe third one) with a little less stretch and a different angle than the previous tape strip. A second or even a third tape strip around the fetlock gives it even more support.

This fetlock taping by itself is of great support when horses have a weak fetlock, a long pastern, or the hoof and pastern are at a very flat angle. And it is helpful to use it as a foundation for a further tendon taping.

I know of polo teams using tendon taping on their horses. Since the players started doing this, the horses have experienced a lot less strain to the tendons, and also fewer injuries. And, of course, I have treated several horses in rehabilitation with tendon taping after a tendon strain, injury, or tear, always in consultation with the attending veterinarian. Most horse owners are a little bit shocked when they get the diagnosis of a tendon injury and that the horse should be on stall rest. A lot of them think that horses on rest don’t need physical therapy or any other treatment. But this is where tendon taping comes in. Not only does it give support to the damaged structure, it also increases the inflow of fresh blood into that area. This fresh blood is rich in nutrients and oxygen and is exactly what the tissue needs to heal and regenerate. In many cases, I am able to shorten the time of recovery.

This excerpt from Kinesiology Taping for Horses by Katja Bredlau-Morich is reprinted with permission from Trafalgar Square Books (www.horseandriderbooks.com).