Rug Suggestions for Big Shoulder, Deep Neck, Short Backed TB

Taliesan

Taliesan

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I'm having a rug fitting dilemma with Apollo. Last year he was in a 6'3 Rambo optimo and it fitted him absolutely fine.

In the past year he's filled out and the 6'3 optimo, whilst it fits him perfectly in the back, is far too small in the shoulders. The seam for the shoulder gusset is on top of his withers, rather than behind them, and when he puts his neck down the pressure from the buckles at the base of his throat are extreme.

So. I tried on my 6'6 optimo and it fits him perfectly in the shoulders and neck but is far too long in the back:

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He's got quite steeply angled shoulders, a deep set neck and a short back. He is normally a 6'6 in rugs. Not the best photo, but it is the only one I have to give a rough idea of his build:

Resize_20250921_180200_0479.jpg

One thing I will say is I'm mega picky with rugs and pressure points. I've never been impressed with PE rugs on pretty much any horse I've seen them on. This is because the buckles at the front are not angled and put excess pressure at the base of the neck when they graze. The shoulder gussets are also not really adequate for the shoulder movement I like my horses to have.

The LeMieux Kudos fitted my other TB superbly, but they don't appear to suit Apollo's shoulders or neck depth.

What I really want is an optimo with the shoulders of a 6'6 and the back length of a 6'3...

So if anyone knows of anything that they think would suit him then please say. I'm going round in circles on the same sites at the moment and an no further forward on finding something for him.
 
Taliesan said:
I'm having a rug fitting dilemma with Apollo. Last year he was in a 6'3 Rambo optimo and it fitted him absolutely fine.

In the past year he's filled out and the 6'3 optimo, whilst it fits him perfectly in the back, is far too small in the shoulders. The seam for the shoulder gusset is on top of his withers, rather than behind them, and when he puts his neck down the pressure from the buckles at the base of his throat are extreme.

So. I tried on my 6'6 optimo and it fits him perfectly in the shoulders and neck but is far too long in the back:

View attachment 166860
View attachment 166861

He's got quite steeply angled shoulders, a deep set neck and a short back. He is normally a 6'6 in rugs. Not the best photo, but it is the only one I have to give a rough idea of his build:

View attachment 166862

One thing I will say is I'm mega picky with rugs and pressure points. I've never been impressed with PE rugs on pretty much any horse I've seen them on. This is because the buckles at the front are not angled and put excess pressure at the base of the neck when they graze. The shoulder gussets are also not really adequate for the shoulder movement I like my horses to have.

The LeMieux Kudos fitted my other TB superbly, but they don't appear to suit Apollo's shoulders or neck depth.

What I really want is an optimo with the shoulders of a 6'6 and the back length of a 6'3...

So if anyone knows of anything that they think would suit him then please say. I'm going round in circles on the same sites at the moment and an no further forward on finding something for him.
Click to expand...
To me, that rug looks rather more than 3inches too long, but if you are entirely happy with the front end and you really like how it fits at the wither - why don’t you get the rug washed, take it to a saddler to shorten (the rear edge, remembering darts), re attach the tail flap, then have it reproofed?
It’s not a difficult job, but the thickness of the fabric will be too much for a domestic sewing machine. Then you have exactly what you want!
 
My big shoulder tb always had weatherbeeta, the more expensive models. However this was 15 years ago and I don't know the equivalent models today. I've still got some of those rugs now though the original TB is no longer with us.

I also liked the fit of the half neck/high neck models for fit over higher withers
 
rextherobber said:
Weatherbeata comfitec ultra cozi? Fits my big shouldered, thick neck one very well. Don't know about back length though...
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I just had a look at those and, although they look nice, I don't like the straight buckles at the front and I think the shoulders will not allow him enough movement. He is quite big striding.

AShetlandBitMeOnce said:
I would get a chest expander rather than spend £££££ on buying a whole kit of new rugs, especially if you have nice Rambos already
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A chest expander is a really good idea, and not something I had thought of. However, I am not sure that would fix the issue of the front strap placement being too high up and strangling him everytime he puts his head down? I can certainly do some googling though and see what is out there that might work.

Exasperated said:
To me, that rug looks rather more than 3inches too long, but if you are entirely happy with the front end and you really like how it fits at the wither - why don’t you get the rug washed, take it to a saddler to shorten (the rear edge, remembering darts), re attach the tail flap, then have it reproofed?
It’s not a difficult job, but the thickness of the fabric will be too much for a domestic sewing machine. Then you have exactly what you want!
Click to expand...
I can't get this rug altered as it is actually for my other TB. However, I could definitely keep an eye out for a second hand one going cheap and then look to get that altered for Apollo. That might be the best way forwards and a much cheaper option too. Assuming I can find a 6'6 second hand at a reasonable price.

criso said:
My big shoulder tb always had weatherbeeta, the more expensive models. However this was 15 years ago and I don't know the equivalent models today. I've still got some of those rugs now though the original TB is no longer with us.

I also liked the fit of the half neck/high neck models for fit over higher withers
Click to expand...
I've just been looking through the Weatherbeeta rugs and my gut feeling is that none of them would quite suit his build, allow him enough movement and fit the angle of his shoulder. A shame, as they look like nice rugs.
 
Taliesan said:
A chest expander is a really good idea, and not something I had thought of. However, I am not sure that would fix the issue of the front strap placement being too high up and strangling him everytime he puts his head down? I can certainly do some googling though and see what is out there that might work.
Click to expand...
Because you have the additional room in the front, and I can see the rug is slightly long on him too, you can just put them on further forward than you usually would and it gives them more room. Weirdly I find they don't tend to slip back (unless you make their coat slippy with a spray or something) as they continually graze so keep it pulled forward to where it's comfortable
 
Pearlsasinger said:
My Westphalian Kaltblut was built like an oversized Shetland pony, massive shoulders, thick neck, short back, very wide barrel, liked a neck rug, as she hated rain and fitted perfectly into Gallop rugs.
Click to expand...

My Friesian also had Gallop rugs. They are cheap and cheerful, but they fitted her well and were waterproof. Because of the cost saving, she had one in every weight.
 
Taliesan said:
I just had a look at those and, although they look nice, I don't like the straight buckles at the front and I think the shoulders will not allow him enough movement. He is quite big striding.


A chest expander is a really good idea, and not something I had thought of. However, I am not sure that would fix the issue of the front strap placement being too high up and strangling him everytime he puts his head down? I can certainly do some googling though and see what is out there that might work.


I can't get this rug altered as it is actually for my other TB. However, I could definitely keep an eye out for a second hand one going cheap and then look to get that altered for Apollo. That might be the best way forwards and a much cheaper option too. Assuming I can find a 6'6 second hand at a reasonable price.


I've just been looking through the Weatherbeeta rugs and my gut feeling is that none of them would quite suit his build, allow him enough movement and fit the angle of his shoulder. A shame, as they look like nice rugs.
Click to expand...
Good luck!
I tend to agree with Criso that part-neck / wug Type necklines help with high withers, although maybe not if there’s decent breadth and heartroom too?
Ours have huge fronts and big, baroque necks, esp the stallion, so a saddler recently said have a look at Bridleways Ontario when next needing rugs ( following all the crap with S. Highlanders) -
- don’t know anything about these: apparently made by Shires, a budget range with lower denier exteriors, his customers had found them roomy / deep, but not ‘gappy’ (as in hanging too low, below shoulder line) like some Gallops apparently do.
Looked on line, and they aren’t expensive, so you could probably take a risk.
 
With horses that have the issue of the top chest buckle being too tight, I tend to do it up a hole or 2 looser than the bottom chest strap. Not perfect but seems to work.
Depending on fit a chest expander done up similarly may help?

I also hate rugs that look great when horse is posed for sale
photos but dig into their necks when grazing.

I was window shopping Kramer rugs in their catalogue and they have a high neck rug with stretch panels in the neckline for comfort which looked like a good idea. No idea of robustness though.
 
Exasperated said:
I tend to agree with Criso that part-neck / wug Type necklines help with high withers, although maybe not if there’s decent breadth and heartroom too?
Click to expand...
I have ones that are weatherbeeta takas and have the freestyle vents so were generous across the front too but it's not a model that's been made for 15 yeara I think.

I found the Gallops very tight but it was a cheap one a long time ago.

I've got high neck rhino wugs too which are ok but aren't as generous.



That's the tb they fitted.

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