Buying rugs for the first time

Turtul

Turtul

Member
Joined
5 February 2012
Messages
16
Location
West Midlands
Visit site
Hi guys, am feeling a little out of my depth with this so any help would be much appreciated.

I am conditioning/reschooling a ‘problem’ TBx for his owner with a view to possibly selling him. He has essentially been a field ornament for the last few years due to being in and out of novice loan homes which have left him with a few issues to say the least. He’s coming along nicely, with the efforts of myself and a wonderful trainer, but coming into harder work combined with his obscene stressyness mean he’s sweating beyond reason when worked. After lots of consultation and discussion we’ve all decided he would be best clipped (full clip, legs left on). Please don't shout - I am aware that this will ruin his summer coat etc. but don’t really have much choice. Worth noting that he is not a stressy horse in the field/stable; spends most of his time lying down snoozing or eating; he just believes working is less fun than snoozing and enjoys playing the ‘I’m scared of that despite seeing it every day...honestly’ game

So, question falls to rugs! I am a bit inexperienced when it comes to buying rugs as have always just used what I have been given but his owner has asked me to sort out a new rug for him and I wanted a bit of advice. I reckon he’s going to need a light (possibly medium? Opinions please :$) turnout rug with a detachable neck that I can supliment/combine with the fleeces/thermatec etc that he already has but I have no idea where to start regarding brands, reasonable prices and where to buy etc. – I’m normally an obsessive bargain hunter but I wouldn’t know a good deal if it hit me in the face when it comes to rugs!

He isn’t particularly destructive or heavy set (15hh, medium build, TB X Connemara) and has lots of snugly fleeces, coolers etc. (including emergency duvet!) that can go under a turnout if it drops really cold but he needs something flexible enough to wear pretty much all year round as required that doesn’t cost the earth! Am not too bothered about how pretty it is etc - his current turnout is a horrid greyish-brown so can’t be uglier than that!

So essentially:
  1. What sort of price should I be looking at for a 6” (will measure him to double check that tomorrow ha!) turnout with detachable neck?
  2. Any rug brands you would recommend/steer clear of?
  3. Cheaper to buy at local tack shop (they’re all fairly expensive round here!) or online? If so any sites you’d recommend?
  4. Any other rug related opinions pointers?

I know there will be lots of people who think now is an awful time to clip, and I completely agree with reservations but am trying to keep everyone happy including sweaty stressball!

Early Easter eggs if you got this far! Tx
 
My TB is as close as you'll get to clipped without using the clippers... His winter coat is no longer than cotton velvet with the odd rogue long hair... *sigh*

He's gone out tonight in a mw rug plus neck (not combo) as we're down on 0 deg and there's some rain... It's a 225g or so rug... This plus a no fill turnout will be all he'll need for spring/summer... When it gets warmer the no fill will be enough to keep him dry if it's raining and he's going to be tacked up 'later' and also provide enough warmth if it gets chilly at night although I'll throw him out naked as a preference where possible... The mw is handy for now and heading into autumn... Over the year, the no fill probably gets the more use than his others combined...

I get most of my rugs 2nd hand but in good shape from Ebay or sales at Robinsons etc... £43 is the most I've spent on a new rug and that was a brand new JHL hw on Ebay and £42 for this mw with detachable neck... It does look like a liquorice allsort in colour which isn't a good look on a chestnut but I'm budget rather than colour or brand orientated... :D Just ordered a no fill from Cassie's Little Tack Shop in a 6' for £21 + P&P - under Special Offers on their home page... He's not a rug wrecker though and the alpha in the herd so I don't have to worry too much about the denier etc that might bump the price up... He did have a Shires no fill last year and that was pretty snug across his shoulders and he's not a heavy fella at all... I like a shoulder pleat because he does play around like a lunatic... The other 'must have' is a waffle rug to dry him off - he gets scald at the drop of a hat be it rain or sweat daring to sit on his coat...

HTH :)
 
Ive just had a look on hope valley website and theyve got an amigo and shires medium weights for good prices! im really tempted by the heavy weight- inspite of the fact that my horse had not have anything heavier than 220 gm on all winter, and i hate neck rugs.....i still think..one day i might need that super heavy weight combo rug!! i think i am starting to have an addiction!

In answer to your question, your horse will need a cotton waffle weave or thermatex if you can stretch to it, i hate fleeces....have you ever put a fleece on when youre wet? they dont wick moisture very well at all! a decent medium-weight should do him, and one with a detachable neck s probably your best bet.

As for retailers i rate:
www.goytmill.co.uk (also got 40% off rugs now)
www.derbyhouse.co.uk
www.rideaway.co.uk
www.hopevalleysaddlery.co.uk
www.olddairysaddlery.co.uk
 
For bargain rugs (end of range and last year's colours) try Hertford Horse Bits. Best to call them up and they will tell you what they have available. They stock all well known brands (Shires, Weatherbeeter etc)

Don't bother with stable rugs (other than a fleece for drying off). For the last 3 years I've used turnout rugs for both inside and outside. The pee doesn't go through and so keeps horse free of stable stains and anyway all good rugs are breathable.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top