May 20, 2015

Product Review: EquiFlex Sleeves

Last September, one of my gifts for winning my division at Jump Start was a full set of EquiFlex Sleeves.  Because I only need to wrap Connor at shows, Penny Oaks was my first time trying them.

If you like prizes, Jump Start HT is your jam.

According to the manufacturer, the benefits are:


  • Replaces cumbersome standing wraps
  • Prevents stocking up
  • Reduces joint swelling and wind puffs
  • Provides support and comfort for tired legs
  • Breathable, heat dissipating, and moisture wicking
  • Quick drying, machine washer and dryer safe

What did I think of them?

Pros
1. They take up way less space in my show trunk than standing bandages.  This is a huge plus.

...that's really all I liked about them.

Cons:
1. They are SO HARD to get over Connor's massive feet, even with practice.  I could wrap four legs with standing bandages in the time it takes to get one EquiFlexSleeve on, no exaggeration.  
2. They have a limited lifespan, and will wear out and need replaced more often than standing bandages.
3. They can still be put on incorrectly and cause injury to the horse, just like a standing bandage.
4. When I got to the barn the next day, they had all slid down around his fetlocks.


The woman that gave them to me at the EFS tent asked me about Connor and then gave me small fronts and hinds, and when I expressed doubt that small would be big enough, she said I would know if they were too small if they slid down while walking up and down the barn aisle.  

Well, we walked all over the show complex and they didn't move, but the next morning, he was wearing ankle bracelets.  No harm done, but also, no support given.


All that said, it's back to the good old standing bandages and wraps for me.  I think maybe on a horse with proportional feet and less bone, these might be a nice investment for shows, but they just won't work for Connor.

Do any pony owners whose ponies have smaller feet (seriously, Connor is a large in bell boots!) want to buy this set off of me for half price?
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21 comments:

  1. JennMay 20, 2015 at 9:08 AM

    Sorry that they didn't work for you, although that seems to be the overall feeling about them! I thiiiiiiiink Amanda at $900 FBP reviewed them some time ago, and wasn't impressed.

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    1. JenMay 20, 2015 at 9:10 AM

      It's okay! I'd be a lot more unhappy about it if they hadn't been free.

      Delete
    2. AnonymousMay 20, 2015 at 1:22 PM

      I never reviewed them. Honestly, I've never used them. I won a pair last Sept too and every time I'm like "ok, now I'll try these", I just don't. Maybe I'm a control freak but I really like standing wraps and being able to control the tension and how they sit on the leg. I have nightmares of these things sagging and causing a bandage bow. Might be a good option for people who don't know how to do standing wraps or whose horses don't like wraps, but I just can't do it. I'm gonna sell mine.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousMay 20, 2015 at 9:28 AM

    They seem like a great idea in theory but not in practice. I skipped their booth at Rolex because I had heard other meh reviews about them.

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  3. HawkMay 20, 2015 at 9:31 AM

    I tried them on my own arms at Rolex and was completely unimpressed. I have human compression socks with more compression and better materials for way cheaper. That and the lady selling them actually had no idea about sizing/the product. Why are you at Rolex selling them if you can't tell me anything about them/what size I should get? Pass.

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    1. JenMay 20, 2015 at 9:33 AM

      Yeah, I've always been really skeptical of them and they are generally not a type of thing I'd try on my own - standing bandages work just fine. Definitely would not have gotten them if they weren't given to me for free.

      Delete
  4. Alli + DinoMay 20, 2015 at 10:21 AM

    These seem like basically the worst thing ever.

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    1. JenMay 20, 2015 at 11:28 AM

      They don't have many redeeming qualities...

      Delete
  5. AustenMay 20, 2015 at 10:27 AM

    I'll try them! Maybe they are really for old TB legs?

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  6. AmandaMay 20, 2015 at 11:08 AM

    Oh bummer. I had high hopes for these, because I am terrible at standing wraps. Good to know, though.

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    1. JenMay 20, 2015 at 11:30 AM

      Time to practice? They may work for a different horse, I'm not sure. Connor has disproportionally large feet, and also I'm not sure they were sized right.

      Delete
  7. emmaMay 20, 2015 at 11:47 AM

    bummer they didn't work out. standing wraps are so bulky and take forever!!

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  8. L.WilliamsMay 20, 2015 at 11:57 AM

    Total bummer, I thought they were a neat idea but I guess I'll just stick to my standing bandages too

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  9. StanthehorseMay 20, 2015 at 4:17 PM

    I'm interested and I need them in small too! Let me know if you still have them.

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    1. JenMay 21, 2015 at 1:29 PM

      I think you're first in line if you want them.

      Delete
    2. JenMay 22, 2015 at 10:04 AM

      Shoot me an email at my spam address, jalean11@gmail.com. I'm going on vacation for a week starting today, but I'll be able to send them out when I get back.

      Delete
  10. UnknownMay 20, 2015 at 4:37 PM

    I just want to say again that all that jump start swag and that ribbon are BAMF

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    1. JenMay 21, 2015 at 1:30 PM

      Yeah, and since winning was probably a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence, it's even more amazing. Haha.

      Delete
  11. UnknownMay 23, 2015 at 9:22 PM

    I tried them at PO on pony and liked them, she has mediums though, i fought for that bc her feet are bug

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