Help! Our pony's rugs rub his withers!

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carolineg

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Hi everybody. We have an awesome 17 year old high withered hackney cross who is a competition driving pony and very much loved. He looks really well and, I confess, is slightly spoilt :) However we have major problems with his withers becoming bald due to rugs. At the moment he wears a Masta stable rug at night (standard neck) and a Lovesome combo turnout rug during the day when he's out. Last year we tried a snuggy jam hood and turnout hood which didn't seem to help.He is clipped out as he works through the winter. Any recommendations of rugs or just ideas that may help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks :D
 
You could try a bossy bib under his rug whichever would allow the rug to move freely and save the hair. Would still depend on the fit of the rug. I have also seen people sew sort of donut things into the wither area so some rug pressure is taken on each is and not all on the point of the withers.
 
I sewed some soft foam padding into a bib to stop a rug rubbing a height withered TB last year, it's worked a treat, I just put the bib on then sewed two bits either side of bib, it lifted preasure off withers. Some masta rugs are made with a wither relief pad in them also.
 
I have found Masta rugs to be big at the neck so they slip back and rub, not used a loveson so no idea if it does the same but have found the Amigo or Horseware to be fairly small and sit further forward so this does not happen, also the wug type of half neck are good to prevent pressure on the withers but not so easy to get now.
 
I would take it off entirely and let him be. Must be like wearing a pair of shoes all day that rub you raw cept over your whole body :o
 
Very wise TT. If the horse isn't clipped, that would be a good option.

ETA - I just remembered that Arabian Emporium has cut back wither rugs. So if the horse is clipped, that might be a good option for a stable rug.
 
This happened to a horse at a yard I was at. I stuck two sponges (with Copydex) into the rug lining either side of the sore place which lifted the rug clear of that area & solved the problem. The only thing is that this was back in the days of rugs being made from canvas & with blanket lining so the sponges did stick in very easily with the Copydex - not sure how well it would work with a nylon type lining.
 
Agree with the suggestions about lifting the pressure off the withers by adding something to the rug.

I have the same problem with a mini Shetland and his saddle pad, it bridges on the withers and causes a pressure point which wouldn't be there in a normal saddle with a gullet but a normal saddle wouldn't fit him. Tis annoying!
 
Try an amigo rug, they are higher cut at the front which don't slip back on my boy, whereas the loveson turnout rug I have for him tends to be tight on his shoulders when i bring him in
 
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