Rugs rugging - any solutions?

PolarSkye

PolarSkye

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Kali has an extensive wardrobe of rugs - some he came with, some he has (ahem) acquired - all different brands and weights and ALL of them rub - without exception :(. We have tried a wide variety of anti-rub vests and the only one that seems to help at all (and even that isn't 100%) is the Shires. On the recommendation of YO I have also painted his rubbed areas with surgical spirit - supposed to toughen up the skin? He gets rubs on his shoulders, his wither (although that's not particularly high) and the points of his hips . . . what else can I do?

He is very fine-coated and marks really easily (sensitive little soul, bless him) . . . can feed promote hair growth (daft question, I know)? Anyone else with a similar problem/horse and, if so, how did you solve it?

P

Obviously that should say rugs RUBBING! Sigh.
 
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I had some problem with daughters show pony. Solved by sewing nylon lining material on inside the rug on the areas that rubbed. Doesnt have too be to neat as long as it keeps on and you dont go through the outer layer of the rug.
 
Wagtail said:
Something like this http://www.equestrianclearance.com/matchmakers/new-masta-lycra-body-suit/index.html would probably help?
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Sorry, but that made me LOL! I can just imagine yard staff having to zip him into that :D. They wouldn't thank me (and neither would he).

I guess my real problem with this as a solution is that the lycra shoulder guards didn't help at all so why would this? If anything the lycra vests rubbed more - not to mention creating all sorts of static electricity.

Great suggestion though . . . many thanks :).

P
 
rossiroo said:
I had some problem with daughters show pony. Solved by sewing nylon lining material on inside the rug on the areas that rubbed. Doesnt have too be to neat as long as it keeps on and you dont go through the outer layer of the rug.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestion - but many of his rugs already have nylon linings and they still rub :(.

P
 
I have the same issue with my big mare :( I was told a few years ago to rub coconut oil (you can buy it in a lard like form) onto her bald patches up her mane, would love to say it worked but I lost the tub after 2 days and haven't replaced it!
 
Have you tried Bossy's Bibs? I have found them to be the best anti-rub bib.

Also what makes of rug have you tried and how well did they fit him?

I have found with my fine-skinned mare that she is better in a rug the next size up (although not so that it swamps her ;) ), has to have a nylon lining and it must be light even if it is a heavyweight/winter rug. I have also found which makes fit her build, other makes - particually if they are generous around the neck and shoulders - rub like a biatch.
 
Faracat said:
Have you tried Bossy's Bibs? I have found them to be the best anti-rub bib.

Also what makes of rug have you tried and how well did they fit him?

I have found with my fine-skinned mare that she is better in a rug the next size up (although not so that it swamps her ;) ), has to have a nylon lining and it must be light even if it is a heavyweight/winter rug. I have also found which makes fit her build, other makes - particually if they are generous around the neck and shoulders - rub like a biatch.
Click to expand...

I haven't tried bossy's bibs yet - that may be my next port of call.

He has so many different makes of rug . . . and ALL rub him . . . Rambo, Shires, Mark Todd, Masta, FAL, Rhino/Amigo . . . and I have taken to buying them big (he has rugs varying from 6 foot to 6 foot 9). Because he's so big in the shoulders, it's tough finding rugs that aren't generous (and ergo rub). The other problem we have is that he's quite short-coupled . . . so rugs that fit him length-wise are too snug around his shoulders . . . and rugs that fit around his shoulders are too roomy everywhere else. Made to measure anyone?

P
 
Weatherbeeta?

I have a WB Taka (traditional style, not the freestyle) and it is huge around the neck and shoulders. I have heard good reports of the freestyle Taka and big shouldered horses too.

Also, how about the Rambo XL or the Bucas XL. I have often seen these cheap on ebay, although I understand that it's still a lot of money on yet another rug that might rub. :( Have you tried the Shires Stormcheeta? It has a very adjustable, generous neck. Premier Equine?

The other thing that I found with my mare, was to use standard neck rugs. No, combos and no neck rugs as they all rub. I too have spent a small fortune. Luckily for her, the Rambo Duo in the next size up (without the neck cover ;) ) does not rub her.

I really hope that you find the right rug soon, do get the Bossy's Bib, they really are the best. :)

http://www.bossysbibs.com/sizesandcolours.html
 
Silk......

Go & shop in 'vintage' shops or jumble sales - find silk from old sheets or dresses - or even coat linings (but ensure its silk).
Carefully remove it & get it fixed inside the rugs where they rub.
Or even better: completely line 2 well fitting summer sheets and use these in rotation under whatever animal is wearing. Remember to not just line them but also roll the material over the pressure points of withers & shoulders etc. Won't look pretty but does help.

Did this for 1 x 12.2 show pony we had in 1 winter & it was the only thing that did the trick.
 
Faracat said:
Have you tried Bossy's Bibs? I have found them to be the best anti-rub bib.

Also what makes of rug have you tried and how well did they fit him?

I have found with my fine-skinned mare that she is better in a rug the next size up (although not so that it swamps her ;) ), has to have a nylon lining and it must be light even if it is a heavyweight/winter rug. I have also found which makes fit her build, other makes - particually if they are generous around the neck and shoulders - rub like a biatch.
Click to expand...

You name it, we've tried it. Lined or not lined - both rub. His rugs range in size from 6 foot to 6 foot 9! Some have built-in neck covers, some detachable. Rambo, Mark Todd, Weatherbeeta, Horseware Ireland, Fal Pro, Masta, Rhino, Amigo. None are too tight across the chest . . . I don't see a discernible pattern to show which ones rub more than others - but he always has rubs (even from fly rugs). Haven't tried Bucas but I think OH would have a coronary if I spent that much on a rug.

I think part of the problem is that while he's tall, he's narrow and short in the back - and his shoulders are large but they're also quite upright and he (bizarrely) has quite big strides . . . so all rugs move about in the wrong places - combine that with very sensitive/thin skin and you get rubs :(.

Will certainly see if I can keep a rug diary - to see if there's a correlation b/w the severity of the rubs and the rugs he's wearing.

Thanks.

P
 
The Fuzzy Furry said:
Silk......

Go & shop in 'vintage' shops or jumble sales - find silk from old sheets or dresses - or even coat linings (but ensure its silk).
Carefully remove it & get it fixed inside the rugs where they rub.
Or even better: completely line 2 well fitting summer sheets and use these in rotation under whatever animal is wearing. Remember to not just line them but also roll the material over the pressure points of withers & shoulders etc. Won't look pretty but does help.

Did this for 1 x 12.2 show pony we had in 1 winter & it was the only thing that did the trick.
Click to expand...

Might have to try this - wouldn't making him a silk vest have a similar benefit?

P
 
Get a rug made to measure... there used to be a lady in Cornwall who made Goldson rugs... not sure she is still around but there must be plenty of people out there who could make to measure...

Or, radical suggestion, leave him unrugged!!!
 
PolarSkye said:
Thanks Martlin :).

Will look out some bio oil for sure - can't hurt surely?

Re the supplement - as he's already getting hoof/keratin support in his feed, shouldn't that be doing the trick?

P
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http://www.discount-equestrian.co.uk/shop-by-brand/leovet/leovet-bio-skin-oil-500ml.html - there you go, or try Leovet Hautbalsam :)
as to the supplement, I linked to Equistro Kerabol, because I have never found anything that does work better, I'm sure there is a lot of science behind it, but for me it was trial and error ;) As far as I understand it, it's not only what ingredients, but also in what combination that makes the difference between skin supplement working and not working, also the quality of the raw ingredient.
 
Polotash said:
Get a rug made to measure... there used to be a lady in Cornwall who made Goldson rugs... not sure she is still around but there must be plenty of people out there who could make to measure...

Or, radical suggestion, leave him unrugged!!!
Click to expand...

Thanks - the made to measure route is something to consider. Will ask around.

Perhaps I'm being too soft but I just don't think I can leave him out unrugged . . . he's out at night (for a good 18 hours) when it's generally much cooler, he doesn't grow much of a coat (although I suppose he might grow more of one if I didn't put a rug on him!), he doesn't hold condition well and is a bit of a wuss when it comes to getting cold and wet (he shivers). If he were a hardy native type, I'd certainly be turning him out unrugged (did it with the two cob mares we had - they actually needed to go out rugless b/c they were such good doers they needed to use up calories) - being a thin-skinned nancy boy he gets rugged up (otherwise we spend a fortune shoving calories into him to keep weight/condition on him).
 
martlin said:
http://www.discount-equestrian.co.uk/shop-by-brand/leovet/leovet-bio-skin-oil-500ml.html - there you go, or try Leovet Hautbalsam :)
as to the supplement, I linked to Equistro Kerabol, because I have never found anything that does work better, I'm sure there is a lot of science behind it, but for me it was trial and error ;) As far as I understand it, it's not only what ingredients, but also in what combination that makes the difference between skin supplement working and not working, also the quality of the raw ingredient.
Click to expand...

Thanks Martlin - off to buy some of the bio oil. Re the Equistro - may well give it a go - off to look into it - if it's good for his coat, it'll be good for his feet too and if you read my other thread you'll see that this is something we've been struggling with :).

P
 
Have looked with interest at all replies here!

I have found bossy bibs to be useful, but also try spraying COAT GLOSS on the areas that rub, as it is the friction between rug and hair that causes the rubs. This also takes out the static between coat and lycra.

Quick tip too - if your horse likes to plaster his face with mud, put some coat gloss before turn out much easier to chip the mud off when he comes in, and lasts for a few days at a time!:D
 
PolarSkye said:
I haven't tried bossy's bibs yet - that may be my next port of call.

He has so many different makes of rug . . . and ALL rub him . . . Rambo, Shires, Mark Todd, Masta, FAL, Rhino/Amigo . . . and I have taken to buying them big (he has rugs varying from 6 foot to 6 foot 9). Because he's so big in the shoulders, it's tough finding rugs that aren't generous (and ergo rub). The other problem we have is that he's quite short-coupled . . . so rugs that fit him length-wise are too snug around his shoulders . . . and rugs that fit around his shoulders are too roomy everywhere else. Made to measure anyone?

P
Click to expand...

My yard owner makes made to measure rugs and they're amazing dont rub etc... she mainly caters for small ponies but i have known her to make a rug for an 18hh shire... PM if you want details....
 
Many thanks Peeps - you've been so helpful :).

Bossy bib and bio oil it is . . . and they're working! The hair on his shoulders is growing back. Now we have a problem with rubs on his side - from our legs. Sigh. Will keep applying the bio oil and hope that helps. At least we know we have our legs in the right place!

Bless his little sensitive-skinned self.

P
 
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