Rug sizes and weights for young horses?

[_jetset_]

Troy is still classed as a yearling, and is almost 20 months.... how the time flies!!!

He has not had any rugs on really up until now, but with the weather suddenly becoming very cold I am starting to think about something to help keep him warm. He does have a fluffy coat, but it is no where near as thick as last year.

I put his lightweight 5' 9" on him yesterday (he last had it on when we first moved there about a month and a half ago) and it didn't even cover his bottom

It was also quite tight on the shoulders and generally looked awkward on him

I only have a 5' 6" stable rug (which I am guessing will not even cover his tummy now

) so I need to go and buy some cheapish rugs to last him this winter. However, I am unsure what weight would be best for him (light, medium???) and also what size?

Do I get a 6ft as logically that is the next size up? I worry that it will only last him this year whereas if I got a 6'3" that may last next winter too???

Any suggestions of some cheap rugs for my boy? Ideally I am looking for a turnout and a stable rug

 

[sallyf]

We use the Amigo rugs for the youngsters here as they seem to fit them really well.
Still in the medium weights at the moment and my two yearling boys are both in 6fts at the moment but will need 6ft 3 's before the winters out.
My filly who is daintier and full TB is in a 5ft 9.
The amigos are good though because you can get away with buying a bigger size as they are a good fit round the front so dont pull back on the withers.
What i mean is they fit quite high up the neck so it doesnt matter if they are a larger size
btw we pay £36.99 for the turnouts from cybercheckout

 

[The Original Kao]

I got my rugs here for my yearling
http://www.equestrianclearance.com/
She's living out 24/7 so I went for a MW and a HW.
I bought a MW pony turnout as she's just 5ft in rug size, and it just fits round her belly

I'm not sure about rug size as some makes can come up slightly bigger than others even tho they're the same size, supposedly.
I got a weatherbeeta orican and it seems roomy, but Kao is a petite girly.
This is also another place highly recommended on here
http://www.premierequine.co.uk/

 

[Foxfolly]

I bought our 'market purchase' who was probably just over 2yo a weatherbeeta half neck, got it in the rideaway sale and it was only about £45 and a med/heavy weight) it had the quick clip front which I think is great as there is a lot of adjustment, on the buckle and 2 different clips to attach to!
I also think the half necks do fit a bit better as they can't drop down too much on the shoulder, which is a problem when they are young they can be quite narrow through the chest so the rug sits in a funny place on their shoulder, but they expand as they grow up!

We got Charlie a 6' which was the size bigger than he needed, at the time, and it was fine on him just had everything on the tightest setting!! Actually we didn't rug him last year (As a 3yo) but I am pretty sure it should fit him this year, he's matured to about 15'3 but is still quite short in the back!
I'm hopefully clipping him soon so I'll find out before then if it still fits!!

Re weight, I only got a thick one for Charlie as it was a nice rug and cheap, Felix (The stallion) is still unclipped as he's got no fluff (Except his ears) and he is just in a 150g weatherbeeta stable rug, and he's got the top layer of his rambo duo in the day and he seems fine in that.. its more to stop him getting wet and cold and cos I've flattened his coat with a T/O rug I feel I ought to put a stable rug on just in case!!

Other chap who is fully clipped is in his rambo supreme T/O and when he's in he's got a Mark todd full neck under rug with a Weatherbeeta heavy stable rug on top... but he is a bit of a wimp in the cold, saying that it was -3 overnight last night!!

 

[Malibu]

Heidi has 5'9 Medium turnout on, has been bitterly cold here (snow 20 miles along the road) and put rug on at the weekend so as to get as much coat from her as possible.

You could always get a 6'3 and get a cheap 6ft quilt underneath to fill it out and would be extra cosy!

 

[Damien]

Ditto the amigo, fab value, really hold up, light weight but keeps them toasty and dry... they seem to fit everything too.