rug for foal

[bugbee717]

I get my foal in 5 weeks so i am trying to sort out some bits.
I know he does not need a rug, but I will feel quite evil if I turn my other 4 out with rugs on and he has nothing. They all have lightweights just to keep them dry.

he is about 12.3hh plus at the moment, sounds stupid but how do I measure him for a rug.

or has it been along day with other peoples kids, and nothing is making any sence.

 

[Tanta]

It would be well worth talking to someone knowledgeable at a stud about rugs for foals and their dangers, cute as your foal would look in one. I know that with the 2 TB foals we bred and kept at the stud, they never had a rug on until they were 4 due to the dangers of them injuring themselves. And that was in Cumbria - so shows that as long as they are fed well there is no reason a foal or youngster should need a rug - unless they are ill of course and you are advised to put one on by your vet. Sorry, dont mean to sound unhelpful - but I'm sure plenty of people can tell you horror stories of foals playing with each other when one has a rug on and getting badly hurt.

 

[Enfys]

It depends how the rug is measured.

In the UK it tends to be from the centre of the chest to the point of buttock.

If it is a North American style/brand (Europe too sometimes I think) then it may be measured from the wither to the tail.

Take both measurements.

 

[kerilli]

i have never rugged up a foal... only English weather to contend with though.
i am always far more worried about them strangling themselves, hooking up legs or whatever, than i am about them getting a bit wet or cold and having to run around. lots of food, lots of good shelter, no rugs is my motto for foals. i first rug them up when they're about 3 yrs old tbh.

 

[siani1989]

bugbee717 Pm me if your interested if i can remember where i put them i have rugs from 4 ft to 5ft 9's all used for my foals so if you find out what size you can have a few

 

[Donkeymad]

The best horse woman I know, with sense and knowledge and experience to outstrip most, is happy to rug foals and has never, in over forty years of breeding had any problems. Care obviously needs to be taken, but that applies to rugging adults too.