A practical step-by-step guide for the EVE TotalWrap System - Equine Half-Limb Bandage Kit

Before You Start

·       Have a handler hold the horse in a safe, quiet area. Stand to the side of the limb, not directly in front of or behind it.

·       Wash/dry your hands or wear gloves. Clean and medicate the wound only as directed by your veterinarian.

·       Pre-open the bandage materials so you can apply each layer smoothly without letting the dressing shift.

·       The goal is a smooth, even cylinder of padding and wrap. Wrinkles, gaps, and hard pressure bands can cause rubs, slipping, or circulation problems.

1. Place the Non-Adherent Pad

Place the non-adherent dressing pad directly over the wound or surgical site. If the site is larger or needs more coverage, use both pads as directed.

Use the sticky tabs only to help prevent the pad from shifting. Do not stretch the tabs tightly around the limb.

2. Apply the Cotton Combine

Wrap the cotton combine around the distal limb to fully cover the intended bandage area. The cotton should lie flat against the leg with no gaps, folds, ridges, or wrinkles.

This padding layer is critical because it distributes pressure and protects skin, tendons, and circulation before the firmer wrap layers are applied.

3. Secure Cotton with Brown Cling Gauze

Apply the brown cling gauze over the cotton combine to secure the padding. Use firm, consistent pressure while overlapping each pass by about 50%. This layer adds compression to the cotton and helps keep the bandage in place.

Leave approximately 1 inch of cotton visible at the top and bottom. This helps prevent the gauze or vet wrap from creating a hard edge directly against the skin.

4. Apply Premium Vet Wrap

 

Apply the vet wrap over the brown gauze using the same technique: firm, even pressure with each pass overlapping the previous layer by about 50%.

The pressure should be enough that the crinkle pattern becomes flattened and taut. The bandage should feel secure.

 

5. Seal with EAB / Elastikon-Style Tape

Use one of the two options below depending on the clinical need and veterinarian instructions.

·       Option 1 - Top and bottom seal: apply tape around the top and bottom edges to help seal debris out. Use minimal tension, especially where the tape contacts hair/skin.

·       Option 2 - Full outer layer: apply tape over the entire bandage with 50% overlap. This can make the bandage more water resistant and less likely to shift. Do not pull tight on the skin or create a tourniquet effect.

6. Final Safety Check

A finished bandage should be smooth, secure, and evenly cylindrical. It should not slide, wrinkle, pinch, or create a hard constricting edge.

·       Check the bandage at least daily and any time the horse seems uncomfortable.

·       Call your veterinarian or remove/replace the bandage as directed if it becomes wet, slips, develops odor or discharge, or if swelling, heat, lameness, pain, coldness, or skin irritation appears above or below the bandage.

·       Never add tight tape, string, or ties around a limb bandage.

Quick Reference: Layer Order

Layer	Key Point
1. Dressing pad	Non-adherent pad over wound or surgical site.
2. Cotton combine	Smooth padding layer; no gaps, folds, or wrinkles.
3. Brown cling gauze	Firm, consistent pressure; 50% overlap; leave about 1 inch of cotton visible at top and bottom.
4. Vet wrap	Firm, even pressure; 50% overlap; flatten crinkle pattern without constricting.
5. Elastikon-style tape	Seal top/bottom or cover full bandage; avoid tight skin contact and tourniquet effect.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

·       Wrapping directly over skin without adequate cotton padding.

·       Leaving wrinkles, folds, or gaps in the cotton combine.

·       Using uneven pressure or pulling hard behind the tendons.

·       Covering the top or bottom edge with a tight ring of vet wrap or adhesive tape.

·       Leaving a bandage on after it becomes wet, slips, smells bad, or causes swelling above/below the wrap.

Reference Notes

This guide was drafted from the kit instructions provided by EVE and cross-checked against general veterinary bandaging principles: adequate padding before compression, smooth wrinkle-free layers, approximately 50% overlap, and avoiding tight circumferential adhesive layers that could compromise circulation.

·       Virginia Tech Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center: Equine Bandaging - Applying a Lower Limb Bandage.

·       University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center: Bandaging Basics - Lower Limb Bandage.

·       Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory: Top 5 Iatrogenic Bandaging Complications Veterinary Nurses Should Avoid.