Choosing The Right Horse Rugs

By Jaclyn Hurley


Just like people horses need to be looked after. They need to be fed, cleaned out and sheltered. While they may have thick hair and manes this does not make them immune from the cold. Sometimes they need something additional to keep them clothed. This is why you need to choose the right horse rugs to suit your animal.

There are various places you can order a rug from. The problem is that whether you buy something from a high street store or a website it is not possible to bring your horse and exactly measure them up against an item. Therefore you need to order a product in advance and take an educated guess that it is right.

When you are checking the size you should do so without removing the tags or packaging and carefully place it over the horse like you would a duvet over a bed. This may seem strange but there is an important reason for doing this. In simple terms it means that if it does not fit you can take the product back in its original condition and packaging without any problems. If you open it there is always the risk of it being stained when it is placed around the animal.

What complicates this is that the sizes of rugs on sale tend to be sold in three inch increments. Therefore you need to consider whether you want to go with something a bit smaller or a bit bigger. Generally speaking it tends to be better to go with something a bit bigger as it means the animal gets a bit more warmth around the neck area.

There are three main types. The standard covers the back, hind quarters and shoulders. However it does not tend to cover much of the neck area itself. This means that it is better for horses that have not had their neck hair trimmed or if they are not particularly sensitive to cold.

The half neck provides a bit more warmth than the standard. Another advantage that the half has over the standard is that it lets less rainwater in. The full neck is best suited to animals that are very sensitive to cold, have been clipped or older horses that have become more sensitive to the cold in their older age. There is also the additional advantage that you do not have to clean the neck with a full cover.

As well as dealing with the cold there is also the issue of what to wear in warmer conditions. Having a material that breathes can help as sweat drips away from the rug. It is often advisable to have options for both warmer and colder conditions so that you can be sure that your horse is properly looked after.

You can order rugs for your horse from specialist stores and websites. If your budget is tight then you may want to look for private sellers offering second hand items. It is recommended that you check and compare a number of sources in order to get the best products in your price range. You should also check online for feedback and advice from other riders and owners in order to get the right rug for your horse.




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