Rug chest straps

[Fools Motto]

Is it just me, but I do up all rugs on the tightest setting possible, in order to prevent the rug slipping back.
Many people I work with, and have seen photos of, their horses rugs are 'just done up', and could be on the biggest setting.

Which made me think - Is there actually a correct way to fit the chest straps of a rug?

 

[poiuytrewq]

I always do up as tight as possible. I hate it when rugs are on the last hole and have gaping chests and as you say ride back at the wither. At one of the yards I work at someone doesn’t even push the strap back through the buckle 😳

 

[abbijay]

Is it just me, but I do up all rugs on the tightest setting possible, in order to prevent the rug slipping back.
Many people I work with, and have seen photos of, their horses rugs are 'just done up', and could be on the biggest setting.

Which made me think - Is there actually a correct way to fit the chest straps of a rug?

That's all well and good when rugs are a perfect fit but for my horse, with his big wide chest, I cannot fasten any of his rugs that tightly or he gets rubs. It drives me nuts when yard staff overtighten rugs despite there being obviously worn holes to fasten on.

 

[meleeka]

That's all well and good when rugs are a perfect fit but for my horse, with his big wide chest, I cannot fasten any of his rugs that tightly or he gets rubs. It drives me nuts when yard staff overtighten rugs despite there being obviously worn holes to fasten on.

Same here. Mine has never had a rug on the tightest hole and if it was it would be halfway up his neck! I also dislike the circingle clip types at the front on most rugs as they don’t go tight enough for my other slim shouldered pony.

 

[hattie2525]

I always do the top of the two straps a hole or two loser then the bottom one to they can lower their heads with out the rug digging in or rubbing a massive patch of hair out, but I like to use an anti rub vest underneath which stops any drafts. Used to get a few funny looks when I worked on livery yards but it seemed to catch on and everyone did it in the end!