HOW TO USE AN EXERCISE RUG PROPERLY?

[pipper]

i hate the bl**dy things - used it for the first tiem this year - takes an age to get it on right. But my big problem is that i put the numnah on first then the rug then the saddle but however much i try the numnah is on the withers within 5 minutes - so i spend my time trying to yank it up or riding with my hand underneath to stop it rubbing the withers...
Any tips please??

 

[Archiepoo]

i had this exact problem so i swapped to a wrap around type and havnt had anymore trouble!

 

[3Beasties]

Easy solution to this, get a competition/wrap around/Cut away sheet like this -

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=co...art=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:6,s:0&tx=122&ty=87

No more sheets pulling down on withers!

 

[MissMincePie&Brandy]

I don't get on with ride on ones either, they add too much bulk under the saddle, and no ride on exercise rug takes into account the fit required for horses with high withers. Wrap round ones are far better IMO.

 

[ThePony]

also don't get on with ride on ones - I've not seen one shaped for the wither like you get with some saddle cloths, so I've given up on them and have a wrap around too now!

 

[forestfantasy]

another vote for a wrap around one, i use the mark todd one:

http://www.equitogs.co.uk/products/Mark-Todd-Fleece-Exercise-Sheet.html

but wear it like this:
http://www.countryfirstdirect.co.uk/product_desc.php?id=596

if that makes sense!

 

[mcrobbiena]

when riding out racehorses we put a towel (for easier washing) 1 or 2 pads (then i folded the towel back over them as well so it lifted off the withers then the exercise rug and fold the corners on the should up under the saddle. never slipped worked fine. I think it is when you dont lift the corners at the from under the saddle flaps that causes it to be pulled down.

 

[pipper]

when riding out racehorses we put a towel (for easier washing) 1 or 2 pads (then i folded the towel back over them as well so it lifted off the withers then the exercise rug and fold the corners on the should up under the saddle. never slipped worked fine. I think it is when you dont lift the corners at the from under the saddle flaps that causes it to be pulled down.

I started this morning with folding the corners up under the saddle - then got worried that it would rub where the edges were so got off and pulled them down - maybe i should stick with the edges folded.....

 

[mcrobbiena]

worth a try but if you are worried about corners on her skin, do you have a saddle pad instead of a numnah?that way it will be folded up and against that instead of her. Actually, just fold it between numnah and saddle?

 

[mudmonkey17]

I used to use a fleece lined sheet and just used saddle on top of it with no numnah. Worked fine and didn't press on withers.
Now use wraparound ones as fine them easier and can whip them off when schooling x

 

[Firewell]

You put the numnah on first?! *confused*

I put the blanket on, then the saddle with numnah attached, pull the rug and numnah up into the gullet of the saddle. Then I fold the front corners of the blanket back and up under the saddle flap and under the girth straps, then I do the girth up over it. Make sure the otherside is done and the girth is done up properly and then we are off! Keeps horse bottom warm and doesn't slip back .
I don't have a wrap around blanket I have a Witney exercise blanket with girth loops but obviously I don't use those or I find it slips back and rucks up .

 

[Aces_High]

I must admit the one thing that drives me insane is when people have their exercise sheets hanging over the top of the horses tail. They should finish at the top of the highest point on the horses rump. In racing yes we have a "rubber" (towel basically which soaks up the sweat and stops the pads getting wet and these are clean for every horse), then I have 2 x Poly Pads and then the exercise sheet and then my saddle. Everything is pulled up into the gullet of the saddle. I fold the excess sheet back in a straight line and then the flaps are folded up under the saddle flaps. I use a poly pad and a 1/2 sheep skin under my GP as and when I use it and I must admit, I do use the exercise sheet over the top of these. I can understand how some people find they slip on to the withers and if this is the case, there is no reason why you cannot have your pads on top of your exercise sheet. Just make sure it's not hanging over the top of your horses tail and that you have everything off the wither and folded in nice straight need lines! Not that I am really fussy or anything

 

[tinap]

I'm with you firewall!! Was feeling a bit thick reading putting numnah on first !!

 

[Miss L Toe]

when riding out racehorses we put a towel (for easier washing) 1 or 2 pads (then i folded the towel back over them as well so it lifted off the withers then the exercise rug and fold the corners on the should up under the saddle. never slipped worked fine. I think it is when you dont lift the corners at the from under the saddle flaps that causes it to be pulled down.

correct, but the legendary trainer Tom Jones would send you back to re-tack if the back edge was not on the top of the croup

 

[mcrobbiena]

I usually found they ended there anyway?! Except for 2 wee ones then I folded it at the front so the back finished in the right place.

 

[Orangehorse]

I have a fleece fluorescent yellow, and I just sit on top of it and don't try to put it under the saddle with all the faff. I put an elastic sursingle over the top of the rug/over the saddle and through the breastplate so it doesn't slip back. Since the rug is slightly too long I also have a take inside which I tie to the ring at the back of the saddle (I had one fitted for Trec, but not everyone has a ring at the back).

The only thing I have to watch is what to do with the stirrup irons and doing the girth up, but I mange OK.

 

[hobgoblin]

Tack up as normal sheet goes on top of the saddle with corners folded back and secured with an overgirth a) easy to remove b) air space between horse and sheet adds warmth c) can tack tack off and fold rug back over saddle area if that makes sense! d ) nice warm rug to sit on!!

 

[Aces_High]

correct, but the legendary trainer Tom Jones would send you back to re-tack if the back edge was not on the top of the croup

So I am not the only one who has a complete thing about the sheet finishing on the point of croup!! It really drives me loopy!

Sorry MrsD - comparing myself to you not the legend Tom Jones!

 

[Cuppatea]

So I am not the only one who has a complete thing about the sheet finishing on the point of croup!! It really drives me loopy!
!

nope, does my swede in too.....

I have amongst others an exercise sheet that doesnt go under the saddle at all but attaches to the girth straps so only goes from tail to back of saddle Its a masta i think, will toddle off to search for it.....

 

[Cuppatea]

http://www.equestrianclearance.com/matchmakers/masta_exercise_sheets_rugs/index.html#placeholder
here we go, its the 'quarter sheet' if you click on 'more images' its shown in a flourescent yellow. Comes with a battery powered light too!

 

[Dirty_D]

here we go, its the 'quarter sheet' if you click on 'more images' its shown in a flourescent yellow. Comes with a battery powered light too!

I have a quarter sheet now too, mines never clipped out though and sometimes he gets to warm and i want to whip it off without taking everything off like i had to with my exercise rug

 

[Ibblebibble]

had one for my TB and never liked the bloomin thing, do make great boot liners though for when i have to carry the big hound in the car

 

[Luci07]

I don't put a numnah on my horses when they wear theirs - put it on slightly forward, pulled well into the gullet of the saddle, fold it under the girth straps and put the girth through the girth strap on it. Have no problems then. The problem with wrap around (I find) is that they don't stay on so use them only when going in the school and need to remove. I have now invested in some thermatex quarter sheets which actually solves the problem anyway!

 

[foraday]

I don't use a numnah over winter - just fold the front of the exercise sheet under the girth straps. Never seems to move and I have a high withered horse.

 

[Elsbells]

I have a wrap around aerborn woolen rug.

Last year I had a dress maker line it with contrasting and slippy thin nylon so it doesn't snag on clipped hair. When out on a long hack and cold wind, I can undo it at the wither and wrap the ends around my legs. Mmmmmm, toasty!

 

[Maesfen]

You put the numnah on first?! *confused*

I put the blanket on, then the saddle with numnah attached, pull the rug and numnah up into the gullet of the saddle. Then I fold the front corners of the blanket back and up under the saddle flap and under the girth straps, then I do the girth up over it. Make sure the otherside is done and the girth is done up properly and then we are off! Keeps horse bottom warm and doesn't slip back .
I don't have a wrap around blanket I have a Witney exercise blanket with girth loops but obviously I don't use those or I find it slips back and rucks up .

Hurrah, someone who knows how they should be done.
FWIW, those loops should only be used when it's being used as a paddock sheet for the roller to go through and as many of you won't ever use it as such, why not chop them off, they have no purpose?