Oh the bloody rug debate I hear you cry, every bloody year! No, WAIT! This is a new one, this isn’t to rug or not to rug, as clearly all horses are individuals, you know your horse, ask them, look at them.. Boom, Done!
Running a livery yard I get to see a lot of things but one of thing that really gets me twitchy - a new horses rugs never fit!
At Tacky Central the horses live out 24/7 so rugs are an essential part of our lives. We have everything from ex racers to big, bold, hairy cobs. The “delicates” need to be comfy as they wear them a lot over Winter. They need to fit well and with minimal hinderance to twonking about in the herd.
Last year I was at the awesome @horsemanshipshowcase. I heard a fantastic talk by Christine Roy and her fabulous pony Custard! It was such a good talk, it validated what i wanted to articulate as it’s not just about over rugging, which can cause it’s own problems but about the actual fit on your horse and the knock on impact.
Christine put some science and visuals to what was going on in my brain. It was a talk about how a poorly fitted rug impacts far more than you think. Asking us not only to think of the discomfort, but after time what that discomfort really means. How it is impacting the fascia, the lymphs, so much so it can cause digestive issues and even lameness as it all just “snaffles up”. You can see why I wanted Christine’s articulate demo and painted up Custard but here, I’m gonna have a go.
A horse has 8000 lymph nodes in the body, in comparison to our meagre 600 so what does the lymph system do?
A horse's lymphatic system has many important functions, including:
Immune system support: The lymphatic system is part of the horse's immune system, and contains white blood cells called lymphocytes that fight infection.
Fluid Balance: The lymphatic system removes excess fluid from tissues and drains it into the bloodstream.
Fat Absorption: The lymphatic system plays a role in fat absorption.
Detoxification: The lymphatic system helps remove waste products from the body.
Maintaining Blood Volume: The lymphatic system helps maintain a constant amount of fluid in the body.
Pretty bloody important innit?! so now add in that a horse has evolved to move and eat in a certain way. Then we come along and rug, which in some cases, with domestication, environment and clipping etc. is essential but ill fitting is a bugger problem than it just looks silly.
Rugs are designed in the most logical way I guess and with modern advancements they’re a far cry from the old New Zealand but we can still get it very wrong. A poorly fitted rug restricts and creates pressure right where clusters of lymph nodes do their busy little body business. Over time, this is going to have an impact.
When I come to the horses in the morning, and they’re rugged, I’m essentially like GoldieLocks - everything has to be just right. .
I want to feel a loose front, by the buckles/trigger hooks. I don’t want the horses being garrotted by their rugs - why? It’s not just that it rubs so not pleasant, and can’t be comfortable when they’re eating. But what Christine enlightened us on was the glands in that area, so that by restricting can severely compromise the horses well being by restricting the lymph nodes and the bodies ability to function freely and in-balance.
I want the neck to follow the shape of the horses neck and shoulders, NOT looking like an off the shoulder 80’s flash dance top, or sat right up the horses neck (unless designed to do that) as then the buckles under the neck end up high and again, garrotting the horse and restricting the fundamentals of being a horse, drainage, movement and digestion.
I want the tail flap to actually lay flat over the tail, not perched up on top of the horses bum because the rug is far too short. The end of the main body of the rug should align to the hamstrings of the horse. You shouldn’t see them sticking right out the back.
I want the belly straps to be the perfect length, not too loose so a leg can get in there, but not tight so that they pull the rug down on the wither.
I don’t use leg straps as a tail strap is enough and having many horses, I want to be able to quickly slide off a rug and to be honest, getting involved between horses back legs for no real reason seems a pointless risk.
If you don’t have this, just think, would you like to spend all your days in tight, restrictive clothing. At this time of year, I feel it… Doing yard chores, simple walking around gets me exhausted far quicker and my clothes fit.
Factor in that if the body continually gets restricted/pressure it will start to impact function – the lymphs, the muscles, the digestive system.
Then there’s the other thing, TAKE THE BLOODY THINGS OFF!! If it’s sunny and they’re out of the mud during the day or it’s snowy/frosty, take the rugs off, let them get some Winter sun… let their coats breath and get some Vitamin D… Check them over daily/every other day.. see what’s going on.. make sure their weight is good, that there’s no undetected injuries, and even a well fitted rug, give them pressure over time.
I sometimes just change the rug. If they’ve been in the same rug for a while, I swap it out. Certain makes fit well, but over time, I can tell they start to rub a tad, putting a little pressure somewhere, like the wither so I change it for a different style/brand to change the fit a little to help the body manage..
Combo’s vs. Detachable Hood – I’ve yet to find a good combo fit. Horses and Ponies are so unique in every way. For example - I’ve only ever fitted ONE full size, all over bridle in my years fitting bridles – XF Headpiece, Pony Cheeks, Full browband, Cob Noseband quite a common fit… They really are all unique.. Rugs are no different so getting a combo fit right, without creating more pressure at the wither, or garrotting them at the chest or neck seems impossible. Then the mane rub, eugh. I appreciate it’s easier and you don’t get that little drafty bit but they’re horses, honestly, that drafty bit is I expect appreciated… and you have a way more useful wardrobe with a detachable hood.
Here’s some recommendations for rugs that I’ve found really useful. We did stock Shires (and still got a few in the sale) but the rest I’m not paid or in partnership with them but they work.
You’re not always going to get it JUST RIGHT on the day, but have the right options in your wardrobe, that fit well. Try on other peoples if you don’t wanna invest.
CHUNKS and PROPER CHONKS
Now, often they don’t need masses of rugging because it usually corresponds for those of us that have tanks, masquerading as horses - probably rather fluffy and chubby at this time of year (don’t worry, it’s natural, gain and loss - it’s a reset of the body/metabolism).
The Big Horse Shop Broad Fit EPIC rugs are EPIC for the true heavy chunks - I love a 0g and a 50g then their 50g liner.
The 0g is great but in snowy, chilly days I go 50g as some horses can struggle to keep themselves warm, or the rugs end up getting a bit wet inside with condensation.
The HORSEWARE AMIGO XL 0g is a great rug for chunks. Roomy, airy, robust and lovely fit but very lightweight – love it.
And I’m now a convert to the BUCAS SmarteX/StormeX Broad Fit with fleece lining!! Why? Well… I’LL TELL YA… It’s not cheap but so useful and a good fit… My proper chonk doesn’t tend to wear rugs often so these can be added to a damp horse, which is ideal as he’s rarely rugged. Then I don’t have to do the drying rug debacle (must buy a solarium) etc … it’s a faff… PLUS useful on a sweaty horse – BIG TICK
DELICATE SAUSAGES…
Now a simple Shires Highlander, or a Premier Equine Buster have always done well for us. Robust outer, nice fit around the neck and they re-proof well. The AMIGO lightweights are great, as always, airy and roomy for them on warmer days. And of course the Bucas standard fit is also a really useful rug to have, with the fleece lining so adding to a damp horse possible. These boys tend to wear the rugs more so find changing them is key, to a different make so they fit differently, different pressures as even a good fit, eventually wears so keep mixing it up and TAKE THEM OFF to give respite.
Have spares, have somewhere to dry them… have well fitted, hopefully more than one brand.
It will take some trial and error getting the right fit but if you’re on a yard, try other peoples on your horse – (obvs ask first).
My perfect rug stash
2 x 0g Rug
1/2 x 50g Rug
1/2 x 100g Rug (Delicates Only)
1 x 200g Rug (Delicates Only)
1 x 50g Liner
1 x 100g Liner (Delicates Only)
PLUS
1 x Back on Track Therapy Rug
1 x Thermatex Drying Rug
Ours live out 24/7, roam around, have adlib hay, grass and hardstanding area. Only our one eyed ex racer has ever gone to 300g as he does drop weight so I don’t want his calories used on keep him warm, we want him sustaining a good weight.
Oh the bloody rug debate I hear you cry, every bloody year! No, WAIT! This is a new one, this isn’t to rug or not to rug, as clearly all horses are individuals, you know your horse, ask them, look at them.. Boom, Done!N
Plus as I don’t really sell rugs anymore this isn’t a marketing tool either… but it makes me cross so it had to come out someplace.
Running a livery yard I get to see a lot of things but one of thing that really gets me twitchy - a new horses rugs never fit!
At Tacky Central the horses live out 24/7 so rugs are an essential part of our lives. We have everything from ex racers to big, bold, hairy cobs. The “delicates” need to be comfy as they wear them a lot over Winter. They need to fit well and with minimal hinderance to twonking about in the herd.
Last year I was at the awesome @horsemanshipshowcase. I heard a fantastic talk by Christine Roy and her fabulous pony Custard! It was such a good talk, it validated what i wanted to articulate as it’s not just about over rugging, which can cause it’s own problems but about the actual fit on your horse and the knock on impact.
Christine put some science and visuals to what was going on in my brain. It was a talk about how a poorly fitted rug impacts far more than you think. Asking us not only to think of the discomfort, but after time what that discomfort really means. How it is impacting the fascia, the lymphs, so much so it can cause digestive issues and even lameness as it all just “snaffles up”. You can see why I wanted Christine’s articulate demo and painted up Custard but here, I’m gonna have a go.
A horse has 8000 lymph nodes in the body, in comparison to our meagre 600 so what does the lymph system do?
A horse's lymphatic system has many important functions, including:
Immune system support: The lymphatic system is part of the horse's immune system, and contains white blood cells called lymphocytes that fight infection.
Fluid Balance: The lymphatic system removes excess fluid from tissues and drains it into the bloodstream.
Fat Absorption: The lymphatic system plays a role in fat absorption.
Detoxification: The lymphatic system helps remove waste products from the body.
Maintaining Blood Volume: The lymphatic system helps maintain a constant amount of fluid in the body.
Pretty bloody important innit?! so now add in that a horse has evolved to move and eat in a certain way. Then we come along and rug, which in some cases, with domestication, environment and clipping etc. is essential but ill fitting is a bugger problem than it just looks silly.
Rugs are designed in the most logical way I guess and with modern advancements they’re a far cry from the old New Zealand but we can still get it very wrong. A poorly fitted rug restricts and creates pressure right where clusters of lymph nodes do their busy little body business. Over time, this is going to have an impact.
When I come to the horses in the morning, and they’re rugged, I’m essentially like GoldieLocks - everything has to be just right. .
I want to feel a loose front, by the buckles/trigger hooks. I don’t want the horses being garrotted by their rugs - why? It’s not just that it rubs so not pleasant, and can’t be comfortable when they’re eating. But what Christine enlightened us on was the glands in that area, so that by restricting can severely compromise the horses well being by restricting the lymph nodes and the bodies ability to function freely and in-balance.
I want the neck to follow the shape of the horses neck and shoulders, NOT looking like an off the shoulder 80’s flash dance top, or sat right up the horses neck (unless designed to do that) as then the buckles under the neck end up high and again, garrotting the horse and restricting the fundamentals of being a horse, drainage, movement and digestion.
I want the tail flap to actually lay flat over the tail, not perched up on top of the horses bum because the rug is far too short. The end of the main body of the rug should align to the hamstrings of the horse. You shouldn’t see them sticking right out the back.
I want the belly straps to be the perfect length, not too loose so a leg can get in there, but not tight so that they pull the rug down on the wither.
I don’t use leg straps as a tail strap is enough and having many horses, I want to be able to quickly slide off a rug and to be honest, getting involved between horses back legs for no real reason seems a pointless risk.
If you don’t have this, just think, would you like to spend all your days in tight, restrictive clothing. At this time of year, I feel it… Doing yard chores, simple walking around gets me exhausted far quicker and my clothes fit.
Factor in that if the body continually gets restricted/pressure it will start to impact function – the lymphs, the muscles, the digestive system.
Then there’s the other thing, TAKE THE BLOODY THINGS OFF!! If it’s sunny and they’re out of the mud during the day or it’s snowy/frosty, take the rugs off, let them get some Winter sun… let their coats breath and get some Vitamin D… Check them over daily/every other day.. see what’s going on.. make sure their weight is good, that there’s no undetected injuries, and even a well fitted rug, give them pressure over time.
I sometimes just change the rug. If they’ve been in the same rug for a while, I swap it out. Certain makes fit well, but over time, I can tell they start to rub a tad, putting a little pressure somewhere, like the wither so I change it for a different style/brand to change the fit a little to help the body manage..
Combo’s vs. Detachable Hood – I’ve yet to find a good combo fit. Horses and Ponies are so unique in every way. For example - I’ve only ever fitted ONE full size, all over bridle in my years fitting bridles – XF Headpiece, Pony Cheeks, Full browband, Cob Noseband quite a common fit… They really are all unique.. Rugs are no different so getting a combo fit right, without creating more pressure at the wither, or garrotting them at the chest or neck seems impossible. Then the mane rub, eugh. I appreciate it’s easier and you don’t get that little drafty bit but they’re horses, honestly, that drafty bit is I expect appreciated… and you have a way more useful wardrobe with a detachable hood.
Here’s some recommendations for rugs that I’ve found really useful. We did stock Shires (and still got a few in the sale) but the rest I’m not paid or in partnership with them but they work.
You’re not always going to get it JUST RIGHT on the day, but have the right options in your wardrobe, that fit well. Try on other peoples if you don’t wanna invest.
CHUNKS and PROPER CHONKS
Now, often they don’t need masses of rugging because it usually corresponds for those of us that have tanks, masquerading as horses - probably rather fluffy and chubby at this time of year (don’t worry, it’s natural, gain and loss - it’s a reset of the body/metabolism).
The Big Horse Shop Broad Fit EPIC rugs are EPIC for the true heavy chunks - I love a 0g and a 50g then their 50g liner.
The 0g is great but in snowy, chilly days I go 50g as some horses can struggle to keep themselves warm, or the rugs end up getting a bit wet inside with condensation.
The HORSEWARE AMIGO XL 0g is a great rug for chunks. Roomy, airy, robust and lovely fit but very lightweight – love it.
And I’m now a convert to the BUCAS SmarteX/StormeX Broad Fit with fleece lining!! Why? Well… I’LL TELL YA… It’s not cheap but so useful and a good fit… My proper chonk doesn’t tend to wear rugs often so these can be added to a damp horse, which is ideal as he’s rarely rugged. Then I don’t have to do the drying rug debacle (must buy a solarium) etc … it’s a faff… PLUS useful on a sweaty horse – BIG TICK
DELICATE SAUSAGES…
Now a simple Shires Highlander, or a Premier Equine Buster have always done well for us. Robust outer, nice fit around the neck and they re-proof well. The AMIGO lightweights are great, as always, airy and roomy for them on warmer days. And of course the Bucas standard fit is also a really useful rug to have, with the fleece lining so adding to a damp horse possible. These boys tend to wear the rugs more so find changing them is key, to a different make so they fit differently, different pressures as even a good fit, eventually wears so keep mixing it up and TAKE THEM OFF to give respite.
Have spares, have somewhere to dry them… have well fitted, hopefully more than one brand.
It will take some trial and error getting the right fit but if you’re on a yard, try other peoples on your horse – (obvs ask first).
My perfect rug stash
2 x 0g Rug
1 x 50g Rug
1 x 100g Rug (Delicates Only)
1 x 200g Rug (Delicates Only)
1 x 50g Liner
1 x 100g Liner (Delicates Only
1 x Back on Track Therapy Rug
1 x Thermatex Drying Rug
Ours live out 24/7, roam around, have adlib hay, grass and hardstanding area. Only our one eyed ex racer has ever gone to 300g as he does drop weight so I don’t want his calories used on keep him warm, we want him sustaining a good weight.
Now, I don't really sell rugs anymore so this isn't a marketing tool (got a last few in the sale and some therapy rugs) but this is just a rant that needed to come out... food for thought as your crap fitting rug if more disruptive than you think.
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