rug fitting help needed

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Iberian girl

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Help please! Had my Andalusian a month now and spent today trying on most of the rugs they'd accumulated at the large yard where he lives to try to work out what size to buy... nothing fitted!

The problem is mainly his shoulder blades but also his large base of neck (late gelded so got a full stallion's neck). 5'9" rugs fitted him lovely from withers to bum but had to be on last hole of the buckle (if there was a buckle and not just a clip) to get round his neck and they were tight over his shoulder blades. 6' rugs were baggy along his back (he is a touch banana backed - high withers then dips) but, as they could come a bit further up his neck, they fastened easier round it. However, they were still tight across his shoulder blades and felt like they would rub as he walked around a field. If the rug had leg vents these were too far back to be of any help.

Now I don't know what to do except buy every rug available in two sizes, hope one fits and that I can return the rest!

Any ideas gratefully received...
 
Have you tried Shires rugs? They are generous around the neck (I have a Shires Typhoon). Also Horseware and Bucas do 'big neck' versions of their rugs eg the Amigo XL.
 
I think we tried a Shires (we were raiding everyone's rug boxes by the end!) but good to hear about the big neck versions of the others - will help narrow my search if I resort to buying/returning en masse!

However, tightness round the shoulders worries me more as a fitting issue... am concerned he's just a weird shape and nothing will fit!
 
Another vote for Shires - I have them for my PRE late cut gelding
You may also want to look at the rug survey they have published on the BAPSH website. There is also a good group on FB (apologies if you know of these already)
 
Thanks both. Herts05 thanks for the tip about the BAPSH - I have just joined (and am in the process of trying to change my boy from being an illegal immigrant with their help as the person who imported him a year ago didn't register him!) but hadn't thought about checking their resources.
 
Get an over sized rug and get your local Saddler to adjust it, I used to put darts in and move surcingles etc on rugs to make them fit properly. If you can mark it up with chalk where it needs to be adjusted then the saddler can do it in the workshop, I had my machine with me on site at stables allowing me to do it there and then but I doubt you'll find a saddler who does this now, Oz
 
I use Premier Equine rugs on my stallion and gelding both PRE's. They are very deep and great for their big shoulders and necks.
Also in other makes I go up a size so it is more generous around the neck (so does not rub their big manes).

We need pictures of your new horse :)

I just love them, such an amazing breed.

Check out the BAPSH page on facebook - it is very active and friendly.

:)
 
If you have a problem with sizes there are some companies that do sell rugs with larger neck holes but normally these are the very expensive manufacturers & the rugs sell at premium prices. Somesone has mantioned buying a 5'09" rug & the using an extender panel. This would probably be a cheaper alternative for you.

This is the kind of thing you'll need:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rug-Exten...t=UK_Horse_Wear_Equipment&hash=item4173963e65
 
Thanks again for being so helpful to this new owner! This is why I love horses - not just the horses are great but the people too. Everyone at his yard is so helpful aswell.

Struggling and failing to attach/embed a picture of him... my profile pic is supposed to be one of him too but it doesn't show (maybe because I'm a new poster?) Will keep trying!

It's my dream come true to have an PRE and he is living up to my every expectation (even when he's pretending the lambs in the field are too scary to walk past - he's bred for bull-fighting for crying out loud!)
 
If you upload photos to Photobucket (or similar) you can post the IMG code in the H&H reply box and the photo will show when you post it. :)
 
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