On from the rugs post!

[jen1]

I have a couple of rugs which I use with neck covers, why can't they design them so that they don't get blown up in the wind so the horse gets a gap between the rug and the bottom of the neck cover? OK so you may say get a rug with a full neck but don't always need a neck on it when weather is fine and really don't want to end up with more rugs, not enough storage space at yard!

Also have 1 rug which has trigger clips at the front, this is much easier to do up/undo than the traditional ones that you twist to fasten/unfasten.
Anyone else agree??!!

 

[RachelB]

I agree that the Weatherbeeta/ Mark Todd style neck covers could be better designed. The Fal and Horseware (they use zips and velcro respectively) are much better although still flip up a bit, although there's much less material there to catch the wind. I'm a total Horseware convert, having always thought they can't be worth the extra money over a Masta/ Shires/ etc. I now would really quite like a whole wardrobe of Horseware!
I also hate the surcingle-style front fastenings, very awkward when you're in a hurry (I work on a yard so I know about rushing around horses!), and the buckle ones aren't much better. The clips like the Horseware and Mark Todd rugs are far better IMO.
Just a little rant! I am a bit of a rug queen, and I work in a tack shop as well as on a yard so I have a bit of "rug experience"!

 

[charlyan]

It's annoying, isn't it?
I tried Masta and shires hoods and felt they served no real purpose as his neck and chest always got drenched so have now moved to Premier Equine and Horseware rugs as they have wide double sided velcro strips on their detachable necks and they are fab- don't lift at all in the wind and I live on a very windy island! Can't recommend them highly enough

 

[brightmount]

Agreed, I have a wardrobe of Fals, which have detachable necks that fix on with a zip, and then the trim fastens over the zip with velcro. Rug manufacturers often overlook the fact that horses generally have their heads down in the field, and that also goes for a lot of rugs that are too tight round the neck or pull on the withers when the horse is grazing.

Trigger clips are good on the front, but make sure you do them up with the trigger on the inside or they can accidentally attach to wire fencing etc.

 

[Cop-Pop]

It does make me wonder why I bought one sometimes. Mind u had a funny moment with one at my old yard - put the rug on and neck cover and left horse in the stable for a few moments. Went back in the there was a moving lump on her neck and a tail sticking out from the gap by her withers!!! The yard cat had crawled in for some warmth