Unleash the power of Equi-Tape® to maximize muscle, tendon, joint, and ligament performance during every activity! Elevate your training program with expert tips for mastering Equi-Taping® techniques.
Equi-Taping Tips & Tricks
Basic Equi-Taping Tips
- The area to be taped must be clean and free of lotions and sprays
- Cut round corners on tape ends
- Separate paper backing by stretching tape / tearing paper backing
- Lay down ends of tape approximately 2″ to 3″ with no stretch
- Do not touch tape adhesive after the paper is removed
- Rub tape to activate the adhesive
- Leave the application on until the reason you are taping is no longer there or the tape needs to be reapplied. You know the tape needs to be reapplied if it is no longer stretching and recoiling the way it should, if there is debris under it, or if the tape has come off.
- Use proper stretch for the application.
- Do not tape over infected areas or open wounds unless you use a none stick pad.
Surface Preparation
Preparing Your Horse for a Longer Lasting Equi-Tape® Application:
To ensure the best chance of tape sticking, please note the following;
- Prior to applying Equi-Tape®, it’s crucial to prepare the horse’s coat. Use a shammy or microfibre cloth, ensuring to rub both with and against the lie of the hair. This step is essential to remove any debris and ensure the coat is clean. While a slightly damp cloth can be used, it’s important to ensure the coat is completely dry before applying the tape. Any dirt, lotion, spray, or grooming product can adversely affect the adhesiveness of the tape, so it’s best to have a clean surface for application.
- You can also prep the surface with a light alcohol rub or use some baby powder to absorb oils in the coat. Make sure you brush and shammy to remove the loose powder.
- The technique is critical to a successful application. Because you will be applying the tape over a coat of hair, here are a few tips you can use to encourage a good adhesive:
Application Tricks
- Applying Equi-Tape® in the direction of the lie of the hair, without adding stretch, is the correct technique. Start by removing all slack from the primary (first) end. Then, while holding the end down, apply the remainder of the tape by sliding your hand along the tape while pressing it into place. It’s important to lay down the secondary end with absolutely no stretch- you can even “back up” the very tip of the secondary end so that it lays flat and does not pull up on the hair. This technique ensures a secure and long-lasting application.
- When the chosen application calls for applying the tape in a direction opposite the lie of the hair, lay down the primary end with absolutely no stretch so that it lays flat and does not pull up on the hair (again, you can “back up” the very tip). Then, while pressing firmly on the primary end to keep it from lifting, stretch the remainder of the tape the appropriate amount and lay it down. As you apply the secondary end with no tension, remove all slack so the tape will “pull” along the lie of the hair to help keep it from lifting.
- Over-stretching the tape interferes with the adhesiveness of an application.
- If you find the tape difficult to stick to the horse’s coat, there’s a solution. Try applying an anchor first, as tape will always stick to itself. Anchors are strips of tape used to keep tape from lifting and can be used before or after applications. The Equi-Taping® Method includes the use of these anchors for difficult taping applications. This technique can be a game-changer in ensuring the tape stays in place, even in challenging areas.
**Note: Remove all slack from the tape end, which is applied along the lie of the hair, and press to “back up” the tip from the tape end, which is applied opposite the lie of the hair.