A Generation Thing .........

[POLLDARK]

With the rugs I do the opposite. I attach the bottom strap "snug" and the top strap looser so that when the horses are grazing the rugs don't cut into their necks as much.

I do this too, makes a lot of sense to free up the neck for grazing & not judge the tightness with the horses head up.

 

[Eriskayowner]

I'm glad its not just me Polldark!! I even told my friend to do this today when doing Thunder's rug up as his rug has "straight" straps.

Mousey can't wear those rugs anymore. Horsewear all the way for him!!

 

[vickyb]

I remember as a pony club kid being taught how to plait hay to make a wisp. Mine always fell apart. Also did anybody else use bran to dry off wet legs? It was the accepted way but was rather messy - you rubbed handfulls in to the hair generously and then brushed it out - bran was cheap in my youth. Also boiling barley and linseed to add to a bran mash, always smelt delicious.
I worked in a racing yard where there was great competition to have your stables and horses looking the best when the guvnor came round at evening stables. Some people actually plaited the bedding straw across the entrance to the box. Sadly I never mastered plaiting plant material (see above!) I sometimes feel very old when I read this forum.

 

[Miss L Toe]

I'm gutted that you can't find jute rugs anywhere any more. They're so handy!

My previous boss was very old fashioned, the horses were all thatched after being bathed after hunting and she taught us loads of different things such as making hay nets & how to treat various ailments such as legs filling and coughs... And how to make proper banks that actually do what they're supposed to. She also had recipes for making your own saddle soap and 'leg wash' to help with injuries. I also learned how to do a bran poultice there - I didn't get taught any of this when I went to college!

Obviously none of the college bred lecturers "learn on the job"

 

[Miss L Toe]

I'm gutted that you can't find jute rugs anywhere any more. They're so handy!

My previous boss was very old fashioned, the horses were all thatched after being bathed after hunting and she taught us loads of different things such as making hay nets & how to treat various ailments such as legs filling and coughs... And how to make proper banks that actually do what they're supposed to. She also had recipes for making your own saddle soap and 'leg wash' to help with injuries. I also learned how to do a bran poultice there - I didn't get taught any of this when I went to college!

Obviously none of the college bred lecturers "learn on the job"
I did show one girl how to "uncast" my pony, yes, it was covered in lectures, but she thought it was disease!