If you are sure that getting a rug for your pony means going to the market, buying whatever looks good and coming back and tossing it over your pony, you probably don't belong in the pony business. Your get your pony a rug after a correct research of what's best for each one of your horses.
The right way to measure a horse for rugs is to go from the center of his chest to the outermost point on his rump, lining up with the beginning of the tail. You ought to have obviously worked out why you want a rug in the 1st place: general defense against colder weather, specific race-related use or whatever.
When looking through rugs available, you need to check them out for appropriateness for every one of your horses. Horses are like human beings: they don't come in the standard size and shape. What makes one pony look natty may make another horse look shabby. With each horse, make sure that the rug buckles sit bang on the middle of the chest. Ensure that the rug neck covers the withers. Some rugs with high cut necks or neck covers fit differently, and you're going to have to refer to the users' guide that these products should come with. As standard procedure , however, you must test the rug by fitting it on your horse and running your hands over the horse's chest, shoulders and withers to work out if the rug is rubbing too hard or otherwise causing distress of any sort to the pony.
The rug should also line up well with the point of the horse's buttocks. It the rug has a tail flap, the flap should begin at the dock base and fall right over the tail. Check to approve if the rug seems to pull on the horse's croup: a rug of inadequate size that is meant to go comfortably over the horse's back may cause discomfort by pulling between the croup and the withers. Further, a rug of unacceptable size can pull back and chaff the shoulders. You must make awfully certain that the rug you selected for a horse fits that horse like a tee.
Some rugs come with additional features like ergonomic darts, sometimes built into the shoulder. With such rugs, consult the users' guide and make sure the fit is precisely as recommended in the guide. The rug packing and the guide may contain photographs, check to confirm if the fit of the rug looks as snug as those in the pictures. Lastly, ensure the surcingles aren't unduly tight; conversely, make sure also that they're not so long that they snag on your horse when he's moving. For a similar reasons, the leg straps in turnout rugs must also be fitted correctly. They fit best when they pass thru, but do not cross over each other when fitted. Every one of them should be fitted on the side of the rug that it belongs to.
If after making sure that the rug is a perfect fit you notice that your pony still appears to be getting rubbed, (this could occur when a horse wears a rug for much too long), don't get heat up! Use duveted or smooth nylon vests to protect the sensitive shoulder and chest areas; these vests can also function as an additional insulating layer in the cold. You could also think about using a rug which has nylon-lined shoulders. This sort of rug is simple to manoeuvre, though you must also consider the age of the vexing rug!
If ever you're feeling unsure, use the assistance of someone of great experience. You may become expert yourself as time rolls by, and as you develop, you'll be able to tell whether a rug is a decent fit with just a quick look and a feel. Have faith in yourself, but if a rug is wrong, don't hesitate to switch it. There isn't any point in taking risks with your horse's comfort and well-being, is there?
The right way to measure a horse for rugs is to go from the center of his chest to the outermost point on his rump, lining up with the beginning of the tail. You ought to have obviously worked out why you want a rug in the 1st place: general defense against colder weather, specific race-related use or whatever.
When looking through rugs available, you need to check them out for appropriateness for every one of your horses. Horses are like human beings: they don't come in the standard size and shape. What makes one pony look natty may make another horse look shabby. With each horse, make sure that the rug buckles sit bang on the middle of the chest. Ensure that the rug neck covers the withers. Some rugs with high cut necks or neck covers fit differently, and you're going to have to refer to the users' guide that these products should come with. As standard procedure , however, you must test the rug by fitting it on your horse and running your hands over the horse's chest, shoulders and withers to work out if the rug is rubbing too hard or otherwise causing distress of any sort to the pony.
The rug should also line up well with the point of the horse's buttocks. It the rug has a tail flap, the flap should begin at the dock base and fall right over the tail. Check to approve if the rug seems to pull on the horse's croup: a rug of inadequate size that is meant to go comfortably over the horse's back may cause discomfort by pulling between the croup and the withers. Further, a rug of unacceptable size can pull back and chaff the shoulders. You must make awfully certain that the rug you selected for a horse fits that horse like a tee.
Some rugs come with additional features like ergonomic darts, sometimes built into the shoulder. With such rugs, consult the users' guide and make sure the fit is precisely as recommended in the guide. The rug packing and the guide may contain photographs, check to confirm if the fit of the rug looks as snug as those in the pictures. Lastly, ensure the surcingles aren't unduly tight; conversely, make sure also that they're not so long that they snag on your horse when he's moving. For a similar reasons, the leg straps in turnout rugs must also be fitted correctly. They fit best when they pass thru, but do not cross over each other when fitted. Every one of them should be fitted on the side of the rug that it belongs to.
If after making sure that the rug is a perfect fit you notice that your pony still appears to be getting rubbed, (this could occur when a horse wears a rug for much too long), don't get heat up! Use duveted or smooth nylon vests to protect the sensitive shoulder and chest areas; these vests can also function as an additional insulating layer in the cold. You could also think about using a rug which has nylon-lined shoulders. This sort of rug is simple to manoeuvre, though you must also consider the age of the vexing rug!
If ever you're feeling unsure, use the assistance of someone of great experience. You may become expert yourself as time rolls by, and as you develop, you'll be able to tell whether a rug is a decent fit with just a quick look and a feel. Have faith in yourself, but if a rug is wrong, don't hesitate to switch it. There isn't any point in taking risks with your horse's comfort and well-being, is there?
About the Author:
Horses are
Heather Toms passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her
100s of articles with other horse lovers, like all things about country supply
Heather Toms passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her
100s of articles with other horse lovers, like all things about country supply
