Most useful rugs?

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trundle

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I'm just doing a bit of thinking about rugs, and i wondered what would be considered a good "starter set" of rugs. A fleece, a stable rug or two (and what's the most practical weight?) and a turnout or two?

Is it a good idea to buy those combo rugs, like the Rambo Duo, so that you can adapt the weight of the rug, or is it better to get a couple of "normal" rugs and just layer them up? Are the Duos and their like worth the money?

Also, what brands of rug are good for solid TBxID types with quite broad chests? She is a bit prone to rug rubs on her shoulders, so I'd like to avoid that as far as possible.

All help and advice gratefully received !
 
My TBxID chap did very well in Mark Todd rugs and OK in Shires rungs as long as I bought them a size bigger.

The combo rugs seem so expensive I've never used them but others do like them.

For me it has to be a good light weight and heavy weight NZ and the same in Stable rugs. Plus a fleece.

That's the basic starter set I got for Atty and we're doing all OK so far. The heavy weight NZ has a neck and the lightweight one has a detachable neck. The fleece has a neck so I can use that under the stable rugs when needed.


Rugs are tircky some Masta rugs are terrible for bigger horses but other models of Masta rugs fit them really nicely so it's a bit of a lottery.

Starting out I got mine from the local tack shop as although more expensive than the web I could take them back and change them when they didn't fit.

Now I have a better idea of what fits I can get them over the internet.
 
i personlly think a basic set of rugs is more like

1x Fleece cooler
1x mw stable rug
1x lw turnout
1x mw turnout
1x under rug

using different combinations of these rugs will allow for different weights and warmths giving lots of flexibility.

Id recommend weatherbeeta rugs for a fairly broad chest, the fairly inexpensive and of excellent quailty.

For weatherbeeta rugs check out
equestrain clearance
 
So many of the turnout rugs nowadays are breathable I very rarely use a stable rug. Start off with a good one of those in a medium type weight and get a liner for when it's a bit colder - and I agree Weatherbeeta are great!
 
Polly is hunterclipped and curently living in 24/7. Until recently she was hunterclipped and out 24/7 though so I've had to buy rugs for both situations. I try as much as possible to keep rugs to a minimum (ha ha, good luck with this one). I have

> one medium weight stable rug
> one medium weight under rug with neck.
Find this is enough for winter and will just add some fleeces if it gets really cold.

> One lightweigh T/O
> One mediumweight T/O
> One heavyweight T/O with neck
Last year I managed without the mediumweight T/O, I think it is a bit of a luxury, just two T/Os is probably enough.

> Various fleece coolers for shows/travelling/extra layers (TBH I probably only need one fleece but I seem to collect them
smile.gif
)

> I've got a fly rug for summer (for sweet itch) and an exercise sheet that I never use as well.

I can't really help with brands cos I tend to buy according to price and what is on Ebay but I wouldn't recomend Gallop rugs, I bought one this year and the front clip broke within about 2 weeks. this also happened to a friend with the same rug.
 
I got a set of rugs from weatherbeeta as my 'starter kit' - it had a fleece, lw stable rug, and mw t/o rug and they did me the first winter with an extra mw nz for when one got wet.

I've found horseware rugs fit broad chests very well, and weatherbeeta for a cheaper option.

What rugs you'll need depends on how much turnout you have, how sheltered your stables are, and if your horse is clipped at all!

I've found I need the following as my essential set:

1 fleece
1 mw stable
1 lw turnout
2 mw turnouts
 
I've got a duo and love it. yes, it is expensive but i think it's definitely worth it. when you add up how much it would cost for you to have a lw TO, hw TO, 1-2 neck covers for these and a stable under rug, all of a high quality the duo probably comes out cheaper. well, that's how i looked at it. the under rug from the duo can easily be used as a stable under rug.
if you are trying to keep costs down- don't forget blankets and old duvets work a treat!
 
Our horses are very chunky across the chest and shoulders. We use the FAL silver lined rugs. They are superb, never slip, never rub, never leak and are dual purpose so can be used inside and out. We always take them off morning and night in any event, and either put the same one back on or replace it with a different weight one if needed.

They are pricey but IMHO well worth the money. And saves a lot of space too!
 
I personally dont like my Rambo Duo. Spent a bloody fortune on it and I wish Id bought another Weatherbeeta! I doubt the neck would fit a chunky horse, its quite tight on my very slim built horse! I wouldnt even be able to do it up on my welsh cob. Great idea, but the outer rug just isnt genereous enough (ie. neck cover is far too minimal and short, and there's a big diamond shape on th chest left open to the cold etc). IMO Weatherbeeta Oricans and Arions are the best. Dont like the Landa though as it leaks! But the other ones have been brilliant, my chunky (broad chested like yours) is comfy in his WB Orican standard neck (with choice of neck when he needs it).

Id get a fleece or thermatex, a full neck HW stable rug (350g / 400g), an under rug (200g) which goes under any rug for really cold days or use on its own and 3 turnouts - Id probably choose a WB Arion (HW), a lighter weight one (I have a 200g Fal) and a waterproof unlined turnout for summer use if need be (Amigo is excellent).
 
Weatherbeeta rugs are great quality (Oricans are the best) and reasonably priced especially if you shop around on the internet. As long as you get breathable rugs you can use them in the stable as well.

I would suggest:
A fleece
LW turnout
MW turnout
HW turnout &
an under rug

Make sure you go for turnouts with at least a 1200 denier ripstop outer as they should last longer.
I also like Fal, Mark Todd & Shires rugs, they fit my pony and horse well and are nice and deep with enough room around the shoulders to prevent rubbing.
 
I find the weatherbeeta and horseware rugs are just not broad enough for my horses - and I have a IDXconn, a TBxDWB and a TB. All of mine are in FAL. I have tried just about every make of rug over the years and now just stick to Bucas or FAL.

I would suggest:

1 fleece
1 light weight turnout.
1 medium weight turnout with neck
1 Heavy weight turnout.

If you buy Fals you don't need to buy stable rugs as you can leave them on and the rugs last for years - some of mine are 8 years old.
 
I have already managed to get a decent selection of rugs with my horse who has only been with me about 2 1/2 weeks! He is fine for stable rugs, but I am confused about turnouts. I should probably get another MW/HW one for when his gets dry, but am hoping to find one cheap in a sale somewhere. What does everyone do about necks? When I was last in the horse world, we didn't have full necks on rugs (old fashioned NZ rugs were all we had, ugh!) and I'm not sure whether I should look for rugs with necks. What would people recommend? He's a hairy Shire/TB who is going to be clipped (but not a full clip) next week. Should I get him a full neck turnout, and would a under rug with a full neck be enough for under his stable rug?

Isabelle
 
I seem to recall that Derby House do a very reasonably priced 'starter set' of rugs. Iw ould go for outdoor rugs first as they can be doubled up as stable rugs if you are on a budget. Also look at lighter and middle weight indoors first as they can be layered or have an old duvet added to make them warmer.
Personally I don't like Mastas as they all tend to tear on the 'MASTA' seam. Weatherbeeta are good, as is the William funnel range but I must say for the price I can't fault the DH rugs I've had. I bouhgt a MW NZ for £35 and horse wore it whenever needed from Feb to Sept (remember it was wet cold and nasty!!) and never had rubbing, leaking (other than seeping in at the neck) or breakage!!
 
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