Rug help!

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casinosolo

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I'm now the proud owner of my lovely new horse (thanks to all those who helped me in my search :D) and have inherited a plethora of rugs with him as well!

I'm the first to admit my ignorance when it comes to rug knowledge (in my day it was a NZ rug if it was baltic and that was about it).

So, I've googled them and it appears I have the following:

Amigo Mio Fly Rug
Equii Theme Fleece Show Rug/ Cooler
Rambo Newmarket Stable Rug
Masta Stable Rug
Another (as yet unidentified) fleecey rug
Kingshead Combo Turnout
Another heavy weight turnout (still in bag so not got it out yet)

Some pics here if it helps (I know they need cleaning): http://www.flickr.com/photos/73312171@N02/

So... what do I use them all for!? And when? I know you can't tell me EXACTLY what to do with rugging but any hints and tips would be appreciated. He's a clipped IDXTB who is slightly overweight if that helps!

Thanks! :D
 
Fly rug - hot, flies around
Fleece - drying after a bath/washing off after work.
Thin stable rugs - warm days (early autumn) or as under rug
Thick stable rugs - cold days (post clipping)
Thin & thick turnouts - ditto above!

I usually layer my rugs, so tend to have a LW, MW & HW of each type, and pop a LW under a HW or even a MW under a HW when it is very cold.

Some horses are warmer than others - My two riddens are very different, one is happy in her HW turnout for most of the winter, even clipped, the other will shiver and drop weight in a HW in October, and wears something else underneath too.

Do the 'base of ear' test, if they are warm, the horse is warm. If they are cold, you got it wrong with the rugs!
 
CrazyMare said:
Fly rug - hot, flies around
Fleece - drying after a bath/washing off after work.
Thin stable rugs - warm days (early autumn) or as under rug
Thick stable rugs - cold days (post clipping)
Thin & thick turnouts - ditto above!

I usually layer my rugs, so tend to have a LW, MW & HW of each type, and pop a LW under a HW or even a MW under a HW when it is very cold.

Some horses are warmer than others - My two riddens are very different, one is happy in her HW turnout for most of the winter, even clipped, the other will shiver and drop weight in a HW in October, and wears something else underneath too.

Do the 'base of ear' test, if they are warm, the horse is warm. If they are cold, you got it wrong with the rugs!
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Thank you so much! Advice very much appreciated :)
 
The advice above is how I use rugs, more common sense than anything else and getting to know the individual.

You say the horse is clipped out already, if it is it should really be protected from the rain as it will have little natural protection and the weather has been very bad recently so maybe invest in a light turnout to use through the rest of the summer, you are at risk of rain scald if not.
 
be positive said:
The advice above is how I use rugs, more common sense than anything else and getting to know the individual.

You say the horse is clipped out already, if it is it should really be protected from the rain as it will have little natural protection and the weather has been very bad recently so maybe invest in a light turnout to use through the rest of the summer, you are at risk of rain scald if not.
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Ok, thanks - will do :)
 
His old owner also said one was an 'in' or 'out' rug but can't remember which one she pointed out and none of these seem suitable for that?
 
Ooh I like the stripey ones! Welcome to the world of rug induced stress.

And - where the bleedy heck are the pics of the new horse then? Cough em up along with details!x
 
Congrats on the new horse :) Mine is unrugged until the winter when half clipped and then wear a fleece as a stable rug and a light weight or medium weight turnout rug depending on how cold it is. Almost all modern turnout rugs are breathable which makes them suitable for stable or field. Rugging is as easy or complicated as you make it. I agree with Be Positive about the light weight turnout for this year. What you do next year is up to you, depends a lot on if you clip or not. Perhaps he was clipped due to getting too hot under the fly rug, which he maybe needs.
 
Emilieu said:
Ooh I like the stripey ones! Welcome to the world of rug induced stress.

And - where the bleedy heck are the pics of the new horse then? Cough em up along with details!x
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Yes sorry I'm still catching up with myself at the mo! Will post some pics/ details asap :)
 
Sugar_and_Spice said:
Congrats on the new horse :) Mine is unrugged until the winter when half clipped and then wear a fleece as a stable rug and a light weight or medium weight turnout rug depending on how cold it is. Almost all modern turnout rugs are breathable which makes them suitable for stable or field. Rugging is as easy or complicated as you make it. I agree with Be Positive about the light weight turnout for this year. What you do next year is up to you, depends a lot on if you clip or not. Perhaps he was clipped due to getting too hot under the fly rug, which he maybe needs.
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Thanks for the advice :) Will sort him out with a lightweight turnout for now.
 
Emilieu said:
Ooh I like the stripey ones! Welcome to the world of rug induced stress.

And - where the bleedy heck are the pics of the new horse then? Cough em up along with details!x
Click to expand...

Meet Lewis - he's a 13 yr old IDX TB. Some pics here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/73312171@N02/with/7896165512/#photo_7896165512

He's not been ridden much lately so is overweight and unfit, but other than that vet passed him on 5 stage vetting with flying colours :) I've only had him two days but we are very much enjoying getting to know each other!
 
HE'S GINGE!! I love him, genuinely I do. I have many similar pictures of the back of ginger ears :D love his big blaze. Here's to the start of a great partnership xx
 
Emilieu said:
HE'S GINGE!! I love him, genuinely I do. I have many similar pictures of the back of ginger ears :D love his big blaze. Here's to the start of a great partnership xx
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Thank you :) Yep, I love the ginge! I'm not really keen on his name though but have been talked out of changing it as it's bad luck :/
 
He's a lovely looking horse, looks very sweet. Looks like you have some decent rugs there. If you want a good turnout rug which is very versatile take a look at the Rambo Duo. I have 1 for each of my horses. They work on a layer system and i use the liners with stable rugs too when its really cold. I love my rugs and being Rambo they last forever and wash up like new every year. I personally dont like fleeces under other rugs as find they slip back and dig in at the withers. Also dont like too many belly straps in case of accidents.

Have fun with your new horse. One piece of rug advice I will say is dont buy cheap or you end up buying twice. Also look around well before you buy as you will end up with an extensive rug wardrobe - unintentionally! There are so many nice things around, its easy to end up being a rugaholic!
 
Izzwizz said:
He's a lovely looking horse, looks very sweet. Looks like you have some decent rugs there. If you want a good turnout rug which is very versatile take a look at the Rambo Duo. I have 1 for each of my horses. They work on a layer system and i use the liners with stable rugs too when its really cold. I love my rugs and being Rambo they last forever and wash up like new every year. I personally dont like fleeces under other rugs as find they slip back and dig in at the withers. Also dont like too many belly straps in case of accidents.

Have fun with your new horse. One piece of rug advice I will say is dont buy cheap or you end up buying twice. Also look around well before you buy as you will end up with an extensive rug wardrobe - unintentionally! There are so many nice things around, its easy to end up being a rugaholic!
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Lol, thank you! Yes, I've seen loads when looking for a light weight turnout and had to stop myself buying them all :/ Anyway, his old owner got in touch and said she'd found his lightweight turnout and as she lives locally I was able to pick it up. I need to resist the voice in my head telling me everything has to be the same colour so he can be 'matchy matchy' :D
 
casinosolo said:
Lol, thank you! Yes, I've seen loads when looking for a light weight turnout and had to stop myself buying them all :/ Anyway, his old owner got in touch and said she'd found his lightweight turnout and as she lives locally I was able to pick it up. I need to resist the voice in my head telling me everything has to be the same colour so he can be 'matchy matchy' :D
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Haha I can relate to the "matchy matchy". My boy has the Rambo Duo in brown/cream and has brown tack with the Mark Todd range of brown/cream/gold trim - now they are a nice range of rugs too.! He also has the brown Nuumed numnahs and I have my eye on the lovely Le Mieux numnahs but will have to save the pennies for one. He is tri-coloured so the colour scheme really suits him.
 
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