With Horse rugs now coming in more styles and brands than ever before it can all be a bit of a mind field when its comes to choosing the right rug and size for your horse.

Finding the right size rug for your horse is crucial to ensure he is comfortable and to avoid any rubbing or sores, Not to mention that an ill fitting rug is more likely to become damaged!

What Size Horse Rug?

Its important to measure your horse without a rug on and its also handy if you can get an extra pair of hands to help. Using a soft tape measure measure horizontally from the centre of the chest to the end of the rump.

         

 

From these measurements you can now determine what size rug your horse should need.

(please note that this is a rough size guide)

Rugs are sized in feet and inches, every 3”. If your horse is between sizes you are usually better to go up a size than down, unless the horse is narrow chested or petite. Alternatively an existing rug in the correct size can be measured all the way along the bottom edge to give the size required.

Does my horses rug fit correctly?

Follow these check points to determine if you have the right fit..

• Once on, the horse rug should fasten comfortably with plenty of room for adjustment on the chest closures.
• It should sit in front of withers so it is not applying any unnecessary pressure on the withers.
• Once the rug is fastened you should be able to fit your hand down the front of the rug comfortably as well as on top of the withers this is to allow freedom of movement and stop any rubbing.
• The rug should finish just behind his quarters and at the top of the tail if it is too small and won’t provide the necessary protection for you horse. If the rug hangs down beyond your horse’s tail then it is too big and could cause injury.
• The surcingles should be adjusted to allow one hand’s width between your horse and the strap.
• Leg straps should be adjusted to allow a hand’s width between the straps and your horse’s thigh.

What brand of rug is right for your horse?

Different makes of rugs will sit slightly different and may vary slightly in size. As in human clothes, when you find a brand that fits well you can then add to your collection from their ranges. Here we take a look at the leading equestrian horse rug brands.

Weatherbeeta Horse Rugs

Weatherbeeta rugs come in different styles with different technology. Here are some of the added advantages with rugging with Weatherbeeta.

1. Twin adjustable buckle front closure which can help with if you have a horse which is more broad across the chest as this an be extended out, equally for a horse which is more petite this can be adjusted tighter.
2. An extra large tail flap for maximum protection.
3. Traditional side gussets for natural movement.
4. Memory foam wither relief pad that contours to the horse’s shape and lifts the rug off the wither to reduce rubbing and provide added comfort.
5. Super strong and durable 1200 denier triple weave outer shell with repel shell coating that is both waterproof and breathable and help with them rug rippers.

(Please note some weatherbeeta rugs will only have certain technology and may not have everything stated above)

 

Shires Equestrian Rugs

Shires rugs are often a firm favourite on the yard fitting a variety of horses.

They sit nicely in front of the withers and boast a twin adjustable front closure buckle which is perfect for getting a precise fit across the chest. Their turnout rugs have side gussets to allow freedom of movement through the horses shoulder. Nice snug fitting cross surcingles and added tail flap are standard on their stable and turnout rugs.

 

Amigo Horse Rugs

 

Using Horseware’s proven technologies gives Amigo rugs a premier status in the horse rug world? Favoured for the superb fit with darts to contour to the shape of the horse meaning great comfort.

Their rugs feature double front closure and leg arches for ease of movement. The rugs do not offer any adjustment at the chest area so the Amigo rugs also come in the Amigo XL range which is cut to fit the larger horse with a more generous neck and deeper fit with optimum dart placement.

 

LeMieux Horse Rugs

 

The Arika turnout rugs by Lemieux have an angled front closure system features a unique design registered buckle to evenly balance and distribute pressure, helping to prevent rubbing on the point of shoulder and across the chest. The main body of the rug is cut from durable Oxford weave, developed in a custom width removing the requirement for a central seam along the back and is wide enough to provide depth without additional side seams.

 

Picking a new rug can be a challenge visit our Horse Rugs for more information on each individual rug or head instore and speak to a trained member of staff.