Rug weight help please!

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Ellietotz

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To start briefly from the beginning, my mare who needs to be kept warm due to PSSM was in a 100g rug (she lives outs 24/7 unclipped) which was keeping her warm during temperatures close to 0 degrees for about 3 weeks or so. It has since gone to about 10 degrees with nonstop rain in the last week and her 100g was no longer feeling warm enough for some reason despite it not being as cold so I changed it to a 150g. This kept her warm for a few days and now she isn't as warm as I feel she should be so I put on her heavyweight last night thinking it wasn't quite as heavy as it was, upon googling it turned out to be 360g instead of what I thought it was at 260g but it was the only other rug I had. Anyway, I kept it on and checked a few times before leaving for the day and she felt toasty under it. This morning when I checked, she was still very warm but not boiling although warmer than I'd like. I find it slightly unusual that every time I put a heavier rug on her, she seems to adapt and it stops being warm enough, is that normal? When it snowed last year, the heavyweight rug kept her lovely and warm and now it seems to be almost right in 10 degrees so at this rate, if it snows, she's going to need a very heavy rug!
I know when she isn't warm enough because her muscles start feeling less spongey so I know when it isn't enough despite having others tell me she shouldn't be in that weight when it is so mild! I can't risk her ceasing up and being in pain again.
My main question is, would getting a 200g be enough? I'm not sure if another 50g would make an awful lot of difference from the 150g I already have. Or should I go for a 220g or 250g?
The only rugs I have are no fill, 50g, 100g, 150g, 360g.

Thanks!
 
bouncing_ball said:
Liners?
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Was going to suggest this as well- Amigo do liners of different weights. Be careful though over rugging if she's very warm then she will be too hot. Being too hot for a horse is actually dangerous and they fret and it can cause colic. Here in the south we are having temperatures of 13 degrees on Wednesday!!!! balmy!
 
paddy555 said:
my PSSM is in a 450g rug for the winter. Anything less would be insufficient.
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Mine would definitely cook in that weight but they are all different. I'd like her warmer than she is in the 150g though, her coat doesn't feel warm under it and her muscles are less spongey because of it. Do you think an extra 50g would make much difference or should I go up by 100g instead?
 
theres so much hype around not over rugging these days, but many more people i know layer up, than have horses wintering out in MW....

currently have 2 native ponies, one fully clipped and one still in summer coat in 350g + 50g liner.......as the temp drops the liners increase gradually and on the coldest days 2 winters ago they had 350G + 300g liners.

you know her best, just keep her warm.
 
I just bought some shires 50g turnouts and they have attachments for there liners, they are only £35 and although I haven't bought liners yet they look secure with the fittings, they come as 100g liners so you could put 2 on if necessary.
 
Thing is I find with unclipped coats the surface will feel cold you have to put your hand right into the hair, or feel on a less hairy bit like the front armpit I find that gives an indication of how warm they are, my unclipped horse feels cold on the surface but his not it's just that the warmth can't escape because of the hair so you don't feel it, I am assuming your horse is unclipped though so will be totally irrelevant!
 
Ellietotz said:
Mine would definitely cook in that weight but they are all different. I'd like her warmer than she is in the 150g though, her coat doesn't feel warm under it and her muscles are less spongey because of it. Do you think an extra 50g would make much difference or should I go up by 100g instead?
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I don't like liners, I find they are heavier and bulkier than an actual rug of whatever weight.
I also find they don't let the horse breathe as much. Mine may be 450g but it allows the horse to breathe very well and avoids the sweating that a heavy weight rug may suggest.

I go by the muscles not the warmth. If they are less spongey to me the horse would need another 100g. at least.
 
I'd be looking at at least 100gms heavier and ideally one of the Rambo rugs with the varilayer. It has most of the warmth over the back and looks like it was designed for PSSM.

Mines weird, shes a hot horse and will rip rugs off if shes too warm, but shes also hysterical if shes cold. Shes fully clipped and in a 300gm liner and a full face hood. I've never ever had a horse that needs that level of rugging, but she does, so that's that. Rug whats in front of you.
 
Leo Walker said:
I'd be looking at at least 100gms heavier and ideally one of the Rambo rugs with the varilayer. It has most of the warmth over the back and looks like it was designed for PSSM.

Rug whats in front of you.
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Mine is a varilayer. I had never thought of it like that but it could have been designed for PSSM it is so efficient.

re your last line, absolutely. It doesn't matter what someone on a forum or your livery yard says. Ask the horse.
 
Thank you all. I'll look at getting a 250g instead. I couldn't afford a rambo one at the moment sadly so I'm assuming another rug instead of an under rug will be my best bet?
 
Eillen douglas is selling the Amigo Horseware 150 g and it comes with a free liner of 200g. £99 I have used the liner recently under as was -2 and horse newly clipped. It didn't slip at all. They sell liners as well in all different weight at £50 each. Might be better for you as you can take off and add as you like!
 
I'm not sure whether to get a liner or just another rug... I could get a 100g under rug/stable rug as it has the straps so it won't slip or I could just get a 250g turnout rug? I can't afford to get another rug to fit lots of different liners at the moment due to job changes etc as much as I'd love to so just one will do for now, just not sure which to go for!
 
IME, the Shires liners seem to fit under pretty much any rug. So long as you attach them at the back, not using the loops at the front doesn’t seem to matter - they still stay exactly where they’re supposed to.
 
Funny you've posted this. Mine was out in her 100g today (also PSSM & unclipped) because it was warm. Has come in with muscles solid and in a grump - back to a warmer rug tomorrow then.
 
JJS said:
IME, the Shires liners seem to fit under pretty much any rug. So long as you attach them at the back, not using the loops at the front doesn’t seem to matter - they still stay exactly where they’re supposed to.
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Sorry, what do you mean attach them at the back?
 
Ellietotz said:
Sorry, what do you mean attach them at the back?
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They have clips at the back of the liner that you clip on where the fillet string attaches on the outer rug. I also use liners under rugs that don't have the neck loops and as long as they're clipped in at the back they don't move anywhere
 
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paddy555 said:
I don't like liners, I find they are heavier and bulkier than an actual rug of whatever weight.
I also find they don't let the horse breathe as much.
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Modern liners are very breatheable, light weight, silky anti rub, polish coat, antibacterial. They are easy to wash and dry super fast. Weigh very little and attach securely to most rugs.

The early ones weren’t breathable
 
bouncing_ball said:
Modern liners are very breatheable, light weight, silky anti rub, polish coat, antibacterial. They are easy to wash and dry super fast. Weigh very little and attach securely to most rugs.

The early ones weren’t breathable
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I got later ones and whilst they attach well, dry well etc etc I don't find then very breatheable when I am using such a heavy weight of rug. I also find single thickness rugs much easier to put on without liners drooping everywhere. Otherwise it is time consuming clipping liners in and out. Just my personal opinion. I am sure liners are well liked by many.
 
paddy555 said:
I got later ones and whilst they attach well, dry well etc etc I don't find then very breatheable when I am using such a heavy weight of rug. I also find single thickness rugs much easier to put on without liners drooping everywhere. Otherwise it is time consuming clipping liners in and out. Just my personal opinion. I am sure liners are well liked by many.
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Now I'm not sure what to go for even more 😂
 
Yup, I love mine. They dont move or slip, and sit neatly inside the rug the same as a lining wouold. I can change them as quickly as you'd change a rug, so no hassle. They fit in the washing machine so I can keep them and the pony clean. I also find them really light and easy to use.

However the only underrug I've ever used, complete with cross surcingles and neck, slid about all over the place and caused the rug on top to slide as well. But otherwise I'd never, ever go back to having millions of heavy rugs hanging about, when I can manage with a rug and liners.
 
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I am a fan of the liner system too so I would buy a 100g liner. There are quite a few on ebay at the moment so might be worth a look. I managed to get one for £15 in nearly new condition.
 
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