Instructions
Brush and clean the legs which you plan to apply the sweat. If necessary, cold hose the legs to remove dirt and debris, or as an additional method to reduce swelling, then allow the leg to dry completely before apply the sweat.
Put on rubber gloves and liberally apply the Nitrofurazone Ointment to the leg, focusing on the tendon and ligaments surrounding and running along the cannon bone.
Apply a quilted wrap around the lower legs, so it surrounds the affected area and goes around the cannon bone. The wrap should be made of cotton and at least one inch thick. Once the quilted wrap is firmly in place, enfold the quilted wrap with a lightweight plastic wrap. Encircle the standing wrap three or four times with the plastic wrap. You want the plastic to be relatively free of wrinkles and pulled tight enough that it does not slip, but not so tight that it cuts of circulation.
Cover the plastic and quilted wrap with a clean stable wrap, which will provide support and keep everything in place. Start in the middle of the cannon and spiral down, each time you should overlapping preceding layer halfway. Work from front to back so you don't pull against the tendons. This means you will wrap the left leg counterclockwise and the right leg clockwise. You want the stable wrap to be tight enough to keep the other bandages in place and to help reduce swelling, but not so tight that it could cut off circulation or bow the tendons. You should be able to place a finger between the quilted wrap and your horse's leg.
Cut a piece of duct tape into an eight-inch strip and place it over the Velcro fastening on your stable wrap. This is just another way to make sure the wrap is secure and does not come unwound. This is not always necessary as some horses are harder to keep wraps on than others.
Look at your horse's bandages periodically to make sure they are still in place and not cutting off circulation to the lower leg. Remove the wraps after 12 hours and wash the legs.
How to Sweat a Horse's Leg
Inflammation in the lower legs can cause your horse more than just discomfort, it can cause tissue damage. There are numerous things that can cause swelling in the legs: poor circulation, an injury or merely stress from a hard work out. Many veterinarians, trainers and horsemen recommend sweating the leg. It is believed that the combination of heat from the sweat and support from the bandage reduces fluid build-up. Read on to learn more.