Fleece Rugs!

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GREYSMEADOW

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I'm looking to purchase a fleece rug for my old boy (he's 27 y/o TB) but am not sure if I'm to buy one or two sizes down or do I go for the same size as his outdoor or stable rugs. I don't want it to hang off his bum. He has a waffle rug and I purchased the next size down as his usual size (ie. 6ft 3") was huge! Would welcome your feedback. Thanks.
 
It depends entirely on what make you go for.

Just out of curiosity why do you want a fleece rug? They are no good as under rugs as they dont hold their shape & slip back under the weight of a top rug& often end up rubbing the shoulders. They are also no good on their own as bedding sticks & they allow dampness straight through if the horse lies in a wet bit.

Vaguely ok for travelling if you are on a limited budget. Perhaps we could suggest an alternative for you?
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I tend to buy the smaller size - ie my arab is either a 6'0 or 5'9 so get him a 5'9, OH's big lad is either a 6'0 or 6'3 and his fleece is 6'0.
Slightly disagree that they are totally useless tho Joss, have a nice Mark Todd fleece for big lad and it doesn't slip at all, and in autumn/spring he has that under a cotton sheet on at night. He also wears it for example if he comes in at about 4pm, I pop that on while I ride the other one, and then put proper stable rug on lwhen I bed them down for the night - think the cheaper flimsy ones are a bit rubbish but his is thick and holds its shape well.
 
I also disagree that they are totally useless. My boy has a wbeeta one on in his stable overnight and his bedding doesn't stick to it... it is a bit damp where he lies down in his wee but its small enough to be able to bung in a washing machine if needs be. his is the same size as his wbeeta turnout (which hangs off his bum) but it comes up much smaller (about 6 inches!) so fits him much more snuggly. Hope that helps OP!
 
the WB ones with reinforced shoulders don't slip back - admitedly the older ones used to - but i used mine as an under rug and it's fine!
i've gone for same size WB - all my rugs are WB...
 
I too disagree with Joss

My cob has a fleece on at night, it has never slipped and as I bed her on a thick layer of straw it is not damp either. I also use it in the winter underneath her turnout rug for extra warmth (I prefer to layer in winter). It never moves even when she rolls. I love my fleece it is very versatile.

as for the size..I always struggle with sizing as different makes come up as different sizes I would use her current make of rug as a guide and go with the same manufacturer.
 
I would suggest a Rambo double-bonded fleece, I haven't found anything else to match it for quality. I like the Newmarket stripe version because I'm a traditionalist! It looks like a traditional wool witney blanket but you can chuck it in the washing machine.

I got my horse's normal size.
 
Thanks Joss for your input. I just wanted it for an under rug for added warmth for colder nights and fleeces are lightweight.
I usually go for Weatherbeeta, Masta range rugs. Another problem is that he has very very high withers - like a razor blade and if rugs are too heavy they rub on his withers.
Last year I brought him a masta tri-vent med/lite turnout and it rubbed him on top of his withers last autumn/winter which is a real pain. I'm going to sew some lining at the withers to see if that will stop the rubbing. He has a weatherbeeta lite and 6oz rug and didn't have the rubbing problem with them.
The idea is to add the fleece rug under the weatherbeeta lite rug and then the masta med/lite before I put his 6oz on when we have the much colder nights.
He has to have turnout rugs as his stable door is open all the time and he can wonder out at any time onto the yard to keep him mobile as possible, if I shut his door then his weaving re-appears.
 
If it stetches it will ride back and strangle your horses chest area, thats my general rule of thumb when it comes to fleece type rugs.

Go for the thicker expensive wool types, which I suppose are not really classed as fleeces, I'm another that can't stand them, give me a good stable rug any day for the horse, but when it comes to fleeces, I prefer them in the jumper variety!
 
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It depends entirely on what make you go for.

Just out of curiosity why do you want a fleece rug? They are no good as under rugs as they dont hold their shape & slip back under the weight of a top rug& often end up rubbing the shoulders. They are also no good on their own as bedding sticks & they allow dampness straight through if the horse lies in a wet bit.


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I actually agree with this
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Although I do still use them occasionally. I hate using fleeces if the horse is bedded on shavings, and most of them seem to ride back behind the withers
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if used as an under-rug. Someone else mentioned the Weatherbeeta ones with satin shoulders - that's the only one I've ever used that doesn't do this.

OP, if you have decided you want a fleece, I would definitely go for a WB, and I'm not usually a WB fan.
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The other thing I find that helps if you are layering, is to put the fleece in the middle of the rug sandwich! I have used one in between 2 stable rugs in the past, then the fleece doesn't catch on the horse's coat and everything stays where it should do.
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Get a Rambo Duo liner - various weights available, and put under your rug. Clips at back corners and fastens at front with velcro. No rubs or mess and perfect for the job. Multi use under stable rug or turnout, you wont go far wrong with one of those. Use them myself and did last night when cold. Fabulous!!
 
I agree with Izzwizz, it has been mentioned on here that it is possible to use the duo liners under any rug, they cost about the same as a fleece and they have 'silky' linings so they won't rub.
 
I have a Rambo Newmarket fleece and a Mark Todd one.

Neither slip back or rub. In the morning I shake it out and then brush the remaining shavings off with a dandy brush. It takes two minutes and looks brand new again.

There is also the advantage of them being light enough to go in my home washing machine. As a result they stay the cleanest out of any of my rugs.

OP I found that my 30 y/o did a lot better getting up and down in rugs with a bit of give to them.

I think for an older horse they are very light, stretchy and warm.
 
have a number of fleeces and have never had a problem with them. None of mine have ever stretched, infact I always seem to have the opposite problem. Find them good as underrugs and as light stable sheets. not had a problem with bedding sticking to them. nice and easy to wash and repair at home.
 
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