High withered TB - Rug recommendations

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Ginn

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I have a high withered TB who has unfortunately developed a big pressure sore on the highest part of her wither, approx 2inch long. Now obvious rub marks and then a great big chunk of dead skin dropped off yesterday leaving a nice open sore behind. Anyway - think we have treatment of that sorted!

So, we have identified what has caused the sore and it looks to be the result of her rugs pulling down on her wither whenever she purts her head down, the main culprit being a Weatherbeeta Joules Combo stable rug (which has also doubled up as an under rug all winter.

She has always worn weatherbeeta rugs as on the whole they fit her nicely but she has changed shape this year and has been in layered rugs (the above rug under a medweight WB landa combo) all winter which we think has compounded the problem...

I am going to have to replace a few rugs anyway so wondered what other people use on their high withered TBs, key factors being that she has a very high, wide wither and is VERY deep from wither to chest.

Looking online the rugs with a V front rather than going srtaight across at the front *should* be better as when she lowers her head (she is alway very giraffe like with her neck and leg length!) her neck will not push into the chest and thus shouldn't pull too much on the wither... Is this the case? Equally, the rug needs to be cut deep enough and loose enough to accomodate the wither...

Any ideas???
 
I can't post a picture as I'm on my phone but I can honestly say in 35 yrs of working with/owning tb's I now own one with the worlds highest wither
 
My saddle fitter describes it as a shark fin! I've always had success with Rambo rugs however I swapped to premier equine when he needed some new rugs a couple of years ago and havnt had a problem with those either ( he's been much warmer too as the are a lovely deep cut and the neck covers actually cover the whole neck, my main bugbear with Rambo) I do find though that for any horse that's suffers with rug rubs that you do need to take off and adjust the rug/s at least once preferably twice a day, try getting some foam sheets and cutting a hole in the middle to offer some wither relief
 
Wither relief is fortunately temporarily sorted thanks to an incredibly useful mother, a dad whos a Dr and some sponges courtesy of TESCO!

However, the main offending rug is simply too tight so need to replace it ASAP as she is cold (and tucked up slightly due to it) in the temporary solution so need to buy another warm one.

Will look at the Rambos - I think the V closure on the front should help - but have had a friend with a similar issue and she found they rubbed more so don't want to throw money away if not right. Have also looked at PE rugs (and not ruled out) but concerned about the front not allowing enough when she puts her head down... That said, they are half the price so maybe worth a try!

I think its not *just* the wither, its the facts she's like a bloomin giraffe that is the problem. I'll see if I can link to a pic...

You can see both the wither and how low on her chest/front of neck she bends from when putting her head down - bigger chests just result in rugs slipping back and rubbing wither and shoulders raw...

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I adore premier equine however my tb is high withered and his PE rug has rubbed his wither, which sucks.

The cut on his horse ware amigo is great though and has never rubbed.
 
My boy has v high withers too and I've found Shires rugs fit him pefectly, he's quite broad across the shoulders and deep from wither to chest and he's never been rubbed by them, no mane rubbed away either. All his rugs are Shires, he has combos, half necks and no necks and they're all fab. Oh and not ridiculously priced either :-)
 
Have you tried buying a rug in the next size up? This is what I always do as I can't stand rugs pulling back on the shoulders, I think you will find the PE are very generously cut around the shoulder much more so than rambo's IMO however I always use a lightweight rain sheet over his turnout if it's very wet as when wet it weighs a ton which I don't think is very good for the sticky up withers
 
Shires are a no no as they gape at the front, rub her shoulders raw and slip backwards unfortunately :( will look at the amigos
 
Yep, tried a size bigger and no improvement. It's not so much being generously cut on the shoulder (she is very narrow so often this is counter productive) but having the depth through the fastenings that she doesn't lean into the rug causing it to pull on the wither when she puts her head down. You can see in the pic what I mean I think.
 
My advice would be to stop using combos/full neck covers completely, even if this means that you can only do a trace clip (or other style that doesn't take all the fur off the neck) in the winter.

I would look at Horseware rugs (Rambo/Rhino/Amigo) because they are not as heavy as many makes and fit slim shouldered horses very well.

I would consider a Wug/half neck style, as they don't go tight when the horse puts it's head down to graze.
 
I've got a shark fin TB too! I find that Rambo and Premier Equine are good, although she is currently in a Derby House turnout and that's also a really good fit and no rubbing at the wither, or across the chest!
 
Thanks for all suggestions, looks like horseware are coming out on top.

Ghostie and Hollyhocks - unfortunately the problem isn't rubbing its pressure but will definitely look at your suggestions.

Faracat
 
Faracat unfortunately she has an unusual sweat allergy (think throwing herself on the floor and needing antihistamines from the vet) so has to be completely clipped out if she is to do any work come winter coat growth... Half/no necks 24/7 are not an option due to this though quite happy to keep necks for turnout only as no wind and rain in the stable ;)
 
I have a TB with high withers and haven't had any rubbing with her Rambo and Amigo rugs. I tried a few other brands before which all rubbed her really badly but now stick to Horseware for all stable, turnout and fly rugs and haven't had any problems.
 
Have opted for an Amigo for the stable, still pondering what to do for turnout but have a few ideas and depending on how the new Amigo works may go for the same as a turnout. Had great fun in the tack shop this morning looking at every rug they had available! Haha! Have dug out an old weatherbeeta turnout to swap her into and will try that for the moment so need to do a few repairs tonight... If I can hang on till badminton then that will be great as can look at just about every choice under the sun, bring home, try on and return what doesn't fit the next day.

GM - thank you, think we have come up with a solution involving a bib and some dense sponges but will keep that in mind.
 
If you can find one a FAL - Long Melford Saddlery sell them.

They are very light and so warm. I still have some high necks bought a few years ago and bought a 6.0' in the LM saddlery on sale. they do mail order
 
I adore amigo / rambo and have a very high withered horse and they have never caused any problem. I always go a size up though (partially also due to how amigo tends to be a snug fit and I always under rug so need the room) but have never had issues with them.

ClippedWinnie.jpg


Not the most helpful but the only one with me not on him - you can see his withers just go up into the sky! My saddler calls them skyscraper withers haha.
 
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