When it comes to keeping your horse warm and comfortable, good quality horse rugs are an essential part of your horse’s wardrobe. Whether it be a fly sheet for the summer months or a fleece rug to add an extra layer of warmth in the winter, helping your horse stay comfy all year round will give you the peace of mind you need.
To ensure you buy the perfect fitting rug, understanding the different sizing will allow you to measure your horse to provide them with a well suited size that provides maximum comfort and protection. We recommend using a soft tape measure to establish the key measurements of your horse and choose the best size for their build; as sizes tend to go up in increments of 3 inches, it is always worth sizing up if your horse is in between two sizes. When sizing up your horse, make sure to pay particular attention to the following areas:
The back
The end of the neck to the start of the tail should determine the width of the rug you choose, protecting the length of their body. Even when the horse’s neck is down during grazing, the rug should not ride up higher and should always reach the top of the tail to provide sufficient coverage, especially in rainy weather. On the other hand, the rug should not be too long and overhang beyond the tail as this is a poor fit that could result in injury.
The shoulders
The positioning of the front of the rug should be carefully checked to ensure it is not causing discomfort to your horse. The edge of the rug should sit comfortably by the shoulders, close to the body but not causing too much pressure. Check if your hand can fit between the rug and their body as if not, the rug is too tight and can lead to rubbing, limited movement and sores.
The belly
The straps should be adjusted according to each individual horse to ensure they are the ideal length for their size. Again, your hand should be able to fit between the strap and their stomach but any excess room means that they are too lose. If the straps are too long, there is potential for their legs to get caught up or damage being caused to the rug but if they are too short, they may cause rubbing and restrict the horse’s ability to lie down or roll.
The legs
As with the other areas of the body, your hand should be able to fit between the strap and the leg. You want the straps to be tight enough that they keep the rug secure and don’t allow for the legs to get caught up and cause injury but loose enough that they don’t restrict movement and cause uncomfortable rubbing. To fasten them correctly, wrap the first around the horse’s leg and wrap the second around the other leg whilst looping inside the first. Once you are done, it should look like a figure of eight and not get in the way of their movements.