Fly rug chest expander

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Rubyrooo

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I seem to be having a summer of fly rug problems😂 I bought my girls a new zebra print fly rug from my local saddlers and after she has worn it a couple of times, it’s definitely a tiny bit tight across her chest. So I’m thinking of getting a chest expander for it. The problem I have is the rug is the saddler’s own make, and they don’t sell chest expanders. Does anyone know if you can gets a kind of one size fits all one, and do they work? I don’t want anything that’s going to rub her more, but having invested in a new fly rug, I don’t really want to buy yet another one. I’ve put her back in her old one for the time being, but that doesn’t have belly protection, which is the whole reason I bought this one in the first place.
 
There are chest expenders that fit any rug with certain fastnings. So you can get the ones with buckles which fit any buckle front rug or ones with the T (like surcingle) fastening, which again fit any of that type rug.
I know someone that had a chest expender on a fly rug, Its a bit weird though as its like a cushion attached to her chest and looks a bit awkward.
Could a rug repair place alter the existing straps? I think chest expanders just make the shape all wrong in front.
 
poiuytrewq said:
There are chest expenders that fit any rug with certain fastnings. So you can get the ones with buckles which fit any buckle front rug or ones with the T (like surcingle) fastening, which again fit any of that type rug.
I know someone that had a chest expender on a fly rug, Its a bit weird though as its like a cushion attached to her chest and looks a bit awkward.
Could a rug repair place alter the existing straps? I think chest expanders just make the shape all wrong in front.
Click to expand...
That’s a good idea, thanks. I might have to end up buying yet another rug 🙈
 
Rubyrooo said:
Thanks, I’m worried they might make her too hot. She’s a warm horse anyway and hates wearing any rug, but she’s also an absolute magnet for flies and gets bitten to death if I don’t put one on
Click to expand...
I have the same problem. I've got the Amigo bug buster, because of the depth and belly flap, but our old girl is more of an XL fit in the Horseware range, but don't do that rug XL. I'm sure they used to. So her rug is a bit too tight across the front and I haven't been able to find a fly rug extension with the surcingle T-bar style fastening.
 
I use a normal turnout one on a fly rug. Haven't personally had any issues with her getting hot underneath it, even in that heatwave last week as it only covers a small section of her chest. However she does have a lot of shade, so I am not sure how it'd be in a paddock in full sun.
 
Beausmate said:
I have the same problem. I've got the Amigo bug buster, because of the depth and belly flap, but our old girl is more of an XL fit in the Horseware range, but don't do that rug XL. I'm sure they used to. So her rug is a bit too tight across the front and I haven't been able to find a fly rug extension with the surcingle T-bar style fastening.
Click to expand...
A good Rug wash and repair place should be able to make a bespoke one to fit. However, I would expect that it would be fairly costly to have one made up when you take into consideration the cost of new materials, webbs and buckles etc. and the time taken to make one. It would be stronger and more longer lasting if made in a good polycotton material rather than fly rug material.
Alternatively if you have old rugs / scrappers, that you could make use of, and a friend with a suitable sewing machine, that would be a cheaper way of getting around this. You would ideally need to line it with tough silky lining material and stitch binding on around the materials, and use a suitable strong thread.

Eta ..... the addition of strong velcro's fitted to the extension and to the rug, would make this much more secure.
 
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follysienna said:
I use a normal turnout one on a fly rug. Haven't personally had any issues with her getting hot underneath it, even in that heatwave last week as it only covers a small section of her chest. However she does have a lot of shade, so I am not sure how it'd be in a paddock in full sun.
Click to expand...
Same here, I did that for quite a long time with no issues. Somewhere in my tack room I have a buckle one and a clip one so I can expand the chest of any rug!
 
Not helpful for the OP with clips, but a general tip if you have buckles. If you cut the elastic off old elastic girths. The elastic and buckle make great rug strap extenders.

You do need a hole punch or similar to make a hole in the elastic.
 
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