It is important to ensure that your turnout rug fits correctly and all fittings are done up properly. A poorly fitting rug can cause a host of issues, from the rug slipping and causing pressure points or rubs, to the horse’s legs becoming tangled in surcingles or leg straps. This can be extremely dangerous for the horse and is likely to cause damage to the rug.

If you are purchasing your rug, the measurement for a turnout rug is taken from the centre of the horse’s chest, in a straight line along the horse’s side to a point level with the top of the horse’s tail. Turnout rugs are sold based on measurements in feet and inches, which increase in 3″ increments. So you will need to convert the length measurement into feet and inches in order to purchase a rug of the correct size.

When purchasing a rug bear in mind the build of your horse; if he is chunky, he will need a deeper rug, whereas a finer horse will require a more neatly cut rug.

The front of the rug should sit approximately 3″ ahead of the withers, and never on the withers, as this sensitive area will be unable to withstand a heavy rug putting pressure on it. Remember that turnout rugs will weigh even more once wet or muddy.

Ideally the chest straps should be done up on approximately the middle hole, allowing the fabric beneath the straps to overlap and hence ensuring that the whole chest is covered. However this may vary depending on your horse’s size and shape.

The rug should sit snuggly around the chest; you should be able to comfortably fit a hands width between the front of the rug and the horse’s chest. This allows the horse room for movement and prevents chafing or drooping often seen in rugs which are too small or too large. These common problems can reduce warmth and protection, and can also put pressure on the horse’s withers. Read the rest of this entry »