Bandages and Boots - How much protection for tendons do they offer?

I've read a couple of really good articles recently regarding boots and bandages to help support tendons, but also note the downsides of using them and how it can potentially damaged and degrade the tissue if not used properly.

They can be found here - Bandages or Tendon Boots?  and Boots and Bandages: To Support and Protect

We all know that most horses brush together, or need boots to avoid injury. All aspects of equestrianism use boots to protect from knocks, scrapes and even to maybe prevent injury. We always, without fail, boot B up for when he is jumping just in case he knocks a jump or even knocks himself when he gets tired. We also pop some front brushing boots on when riding out to support his tendons when doing road work. But do they really help?

I'm sure for experienced equestrians that it goes without saying that boots and bandages should never be too tight. But often new or inexperienced riders won't always know this without guidance from someone with more knowledge.
Horses can and have suffered from irreparable damage to their legs due to wearing bandages wrapped too tightly, or from being wrapped unevenly, causing pressure points. 

To quote NFEquimassage -

"What they can do is provide irreparable harm to nerves and other tissues when they are unevenly or too tightly wrapped. When the core temperature in a tendon reaches a certain level, the tissue begins to degenerate and therefore means that the tissue cells begin to die. If this happens the tendon is weakened, and therefore are more vulnerable to further injury such as major tears. It also allows the fibres to stretch beyond their normal range until it finally snaps."

So when working your horse, does it make sense to use bandages? If you're using thick, cotton type banadages then they're going to raise the temperature of the legs, and therefore tendons just by being wrapped around the leg. 
Cal Rei make bandages out of their wonderful breathable fabric, we're really hoping to try some of those out soon now that the showing season is starting and we use bandages when warming up before entering the ring. 
Due to their breathable 3D fabric technology it allows air to flow between the fabric and onto the tendons which subsequently helps keep the tendons cool, but also supported.

They look pretty darn smart too don't they?













Brushing and tendon boots, what is the deal with them also? 
Well, as with bandages they can also damaged the tendons and legs due to being done up too tight. Obviously they need to be tight enough not to fall down, but not too tight that they're going to impede blood flow which as mentioned, would damage the leg.

So when you're jumping, what type of boots do you need? Well some people use only brushing boots, while others use tendon boots which only protect the back of the legs if the horse were to strike itself. They both have their uses and you can make your mind up on which bests suits your horses needs when doing different activities with them.
Horse & Hound did a list recently with the top 10 boots  and a lot of those have air flow and mesh fabric used to help keep the tendons cool and protected at the same time.

It was noted in The Horse article that boots must not be left on, as it will not allow the tendons to cool properly. After strenuous work it is really recommended to hose the leg afterward working the horse to allow the tendon to cool more quickly.

An example that comes to mind also with the importance of wearing boots for protection is the gorgeous race horse Master Minded. A quote from Paul Nicholls in this article stated that by MM wearing boots helped minimise the damage to his career ending injury -

"Master Minded clearly injured himself during the race, but two things immediately helped minimise the damage at that point; the first is that Daryl was quick to recognise there was a problem and promptly pulled him up and, secondly, Master Minded was wearing protective boots."

In summary, by all means continue to use bandages and boots, but i'd also recommend keeping an eye out for new technologies. Innovation in horses leg protection is on going and helpful. As mention, have a look into Cal Rei's bandages, I cannot recommend this brand enough as the numnah we use is seriously good at keeping the supported but cool.
But also look into new boots - The Horse article stated that new boot technologies have moved away from plastics and leather and onto more breathable and supportive materials which help cooling but also reduce the chances of rubbing to the skin or injury to the tendons and ligaments. 

Horses legs cannot be repaired like human legs, so keep them sound while you can!