Equiflexsleeve - Horse

CAN I USE LINIMENTS UNDER THE EQUIFLEXSLEEVES?

Yes. Alcohol-based liniments have not shown to pose any issues.

CAN I USE A POULTICE UNDER THE EQUIFLEXSLEEVES?

Not recommended. Poultices tend to dry unevenly and may cause the Equiflexsleeves to apply uneven compression.

MY HORSE HAS A SMALL CUT – CAN I PUT MEDICATION ON UNDER THE SLEEVE?

Yes. We recommend applying the medication to a gauze pad and the lift the Equiflexsleeve to apply the pad.

WHY SHOULDN’T THE SLEEVES BE USED OVER A FUNGAL INFECTION?

The anti-microbial application will kill even those microbes that are fighting the fungal infection. You would most likely see the infection spread. Wait until the infection has cleared before using the Equiflexsleeves.

I HAVE USED MY SLEEVES ABOUT 10 TIMES AND THEY LOOK A LITTLE STRETCHED OUT. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Just wash/dry them! The elastic material has not been compromised. The cotton/polyester fiber components may be stretched. To return the Equiflexsleeve to its original form, simply wash (gentle cycle) and dry (low heat) NO BLEACH. You may need to wash more frequently if your horse has larger feet.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I WASH THEM?

You should wash the Equiflexsleeves when they look distended or the inside is visibly dirty.

HOW CAN I KEEP SHAVINGS FROM STICKING TO THE EQUIFLEXSLEEVES?

Once the Equiflexsleeves are on the legs, rub a small amount of Cowboy Magic (or similar silicone-based sheen product) to the outside of the sleeve.

HOW LONG DOES THE ANTI-MICROBIAL APPLICATION LAST?

The anti-microbial application will last at full strength for 40-50 washes. After that, the strength decreases with each wash.

MY HORSE HAS HUGE FEET – WILL EQUIFLEXSLEEVES WORK ON HIM?

The current sizes will accommodate up to a size 2 shoe. Draft sizes, which will accommodate the larger feet, are in testing and should be released in 2016.

I HAVE A VERY FINE-BONED ARABIAN – ARE EVEN THE SMALLS TOO BIG FOR HIM?

Most likely, yes. If your measurements are ½ inch or more below the listed sizes, the sleeves will be too large. Pony sizes, which will accommodate the fine-boned breeds, are due for release in the Spring of 2016.

HOW DO I KNOW THAT I HAVE THE RIGHT SIZE?

Just do this simple test:
Put the Equiflexsleeves on your horse. [Note: The sleeve should easily settle on the leg from mid-pastern to just below the knee/hock. You should not have to overstretch the fabric to get it up to the knee/hock.] Hand-walk for 3-4 minutes (this is more movement than the average horse will do in the stall overnight). If the sleeves stay in position, you have the right size.
There are a few other common factors that may determine how the Equiflexsleeves will wear on your horse:

1. Large, untrimmed or uneven ergots will catch in the fabric and pull against the top of the Equiflexsleeves with every step.
2. Horses with extremely deep steps or a lot of “action” (where the fetlock moves vertically 4-6 inches with each step) will work against the top of the Equiflexsleeves as well. We tend to see this in upper level dressage or open jumpers.
3. Application of products with a silicone base like show sheen or fly spray may cause slippage.

I DID THE SIZE TEST, BUT THE SLEEVES WERE DOWN WHEN I CAME BACK TO THE STALL A FEW HOURS LATER – DID MY HORSE DO THIS?

Most likely, yes. We see this in just over 2 % of users. Playful or curious horses may push the Equiflexsleeves down. Chronic eye rubbing on the front legs is the most common cause. Horses that lie down and get up frequently during the night may also see the Equiflexsleeves move.

CAN IT HURT MY HORSE IF HE PUSHES THE EQUIFLEXSLEEVES DOWN?

No. The Equiflexsleeves give the highest compression at the fetlock. When the correct size is used, the compression at the top is much lower than the compression at the fetlock. This means that if the horse pushes the sleeves down, there is not enough compression to be a bow /cord risk. The sleeve is a forgiving fabric, so there is not an unforgiving “band” around the leg.

I PUT A SHOW SHEEN/FLY SPRAY PRODUCT ON MY HORSE’S LEGS – WILL THIS CAUSE THEM TO SLIP DOWN?

Yes. Use these products under the Equiflexsleeves is not recommended. You may apply fly spray to the leg once the sleeves are on.

MY HORSE’S MEASUREMENTS SHOW THAT HE SHOULD WEAR A MEDIUM HIND ON THE FRONT LEG – IS THIS OKAY?

Yes. There is no difference in structure or design between the fronts and hinds. Just select the size that is closest to your horse’s measurements.

WILL EQUIFLEXSLEEVES WORK ON MY HORSE’S CELLULITIS?

We have had great success with horses that have cellulitis, but always check with your veterinarian to see if the Equiflexsleeves are right for your horse. Please pay close attention to sizing - you may need to purchase additional larger pairs to fit the leg during flare ups. Never use the sleeves when there is no definition of the leg from pastern to knee/hock.

WILL EQUIFLEXSLEEVES WORK ON MY HORSE’S LYMPHEDEMA?

We have had great success with horses that have lymphedema, but always check with your veterinarian to see if the Equiflexsleeves are right for your horse. Please pay close attention to sizing - you may need to purchase additional larger pairs to fit the leg during flare ups. NEVER use the sleeves when there is no definition of the leg from pastern to knee/hock.

MY HORSE JUST BOWED A TENDON – CAN I USE EQUIFLEXSLEEVES RIGHT AWAY?

No. Equiflexsleeves are designed to be used as a preventive or for mild/moderate conditions. A freshly bowed tendon (or similar serious injury) requires the leg to be “casted” and immobilized. For the early treatment, traditional standing wraps that immobilize the leg are most commonly used. Your veterinarian may provide a similar cast-like wrap for the early stages. Equiflexsleeves will not immobilize the leg and therefore are not recommended for new or “fresh” severe injuries. Check with your veterinarian when healing is nearly complete or complete to see if the Equiflexsleeves are right for you horse’s maintenance care.

WHY ARE EQUIFLEXSLEEVES SAFE TO WEAR AROUND-THE-CLOCK?

Unlike standing wraps, Equiflexsleeves breathe, allow heat to dissipate and allow normal movement of the leg. Because no natural function is interrupted, the horses do not need a “break” from them. (With standing wraps, the fetlock joint is immobilized, the wrap traps heat and does not breathe. This is why standard practice is to use traditional wraps in a 12-on/12-off pattern. The 12 off allows the leg to breathe and the ligaments/tendons to stretch back out.)

WHY SHOULDN’T EQUIFLEXSLEEVES BE USED FOR TURN-OUT OR EXERCISE?

While we have had many people use them for both exercise and turnout, it is not recommended. The compression values are set for hand-walking, hand-grazing or movement in the stall. This means that if the sleeve moves or is pushed down, there is not a bow risk. When the sleeve is used during turnout or exercise, movement of the sleeve can no longer be guaranteed to be “no bow” – the pounds per square inch exerted along the length of the tendons/ligaments has greatly increased. Any use of Equiflexsleeves for turnout or exercise is at the owner’s discretion.

CAN I USE EQUIFLEXSLEEVES FOR EXERCISE IF I PUT SPLINT BOOTS OR OTHER SUPPORT BOOTS OVER THEM?

This is not recommended. Placing another product over the sleeves may cause the sleeve to twist, bunch or rub. Any use of other products over the Equiflexsleeves is at the owner’s discretion.

CAN I SHIP IN THEM?

The sleeves were not designed for shipping. However, we have had volumes of positive reports from people using them for shipping. Any use of the Equiflexsleeves for shipping with or without shipping boots over them, is at the owner’s discretion.
Please note:

1. The sleeves will not offer any protection from kicks or bumps.
2. Use of shipping boots over the sleeves may cause them to twist, bunch or rub. ALWAYS test your combination before a longer trailer ride. It is recommended that you stall your horse for a period with them on as well as hand-walk. Make sure that your particular shipping boots are not moving the sleeves underneath.

I LOST MY APPLICATION BAG - WHAT KIND OF BAG SHOULD I USE?

Any gallon-size freezer bag will work. They are thick, slick and quiet (for the spookier horses). Just make sure to cut the zipper or slide lock off of the top.

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