Settle a (friendly) argument: How to measure a rug.

[FlorrieBrown]

It is now the time of year when I get all my (many!!!) rugs out and decide what my horse needs for the winter, what needs to be cleaned/repaired, and what has had its day and needs to be taken to the tip.

I have a big collection of rugs, some of which belong to my older, retired horse and some to my younger riding horse. They are similar sizes and I could swap them over if needed. But, of course, I have no idea what belongs to who, and I have not seen them for months, so I got out a tape measure and checked sizes. Enter Mrs Cleverclogs livery - the one who knows it all - and told me I was measuring them all wrong.

I was laying them out on the floor and measuring along the bottom edge to get the size in feet and inches. Mrs CC informed me I should take 3 inches off each measurement to account for the overlap when they are fastened across the horse's chest - so a rug which measures 6'6" is actually a 6'3" etc.

So who's right? (Putting on my hard hat and hiding behind the stable door )

 

[Lady Jane]

Mmm - good point, don't know but interested. The overlap varies from almost nothing to over 3". I measure as you have. Let's see what others think

 

[Abacus]

I believe this is correct. I think you measure for a rug from chest to the point of the rump, but as if the horse is in profile - not measuring around the chest to the buckles.

 

[KittenInTheTree]

I think the other livery may be confusing how to measure a rug with how when you measure a horse for a rug you need to allow an extra foot or so for the width. In my opinion, you're right to measure the entire length of the rug, as this includes the material needed to allow for the horse's width.

 

[Jenko109]

I have never measured a rug in my life.

If it fits, on the horse it sits.

 

[Nonjumper]

Don't any of your rugs have their sewn in size labels?

It always was that you measure a horse from the centre of it's chest to the point of the buttock to get the rug size required. So if you measure the horse, then measure along the bottom of the rug, those measurements should be as close as possible to ensue a good fit (I tended to round up rather than down). I've honestly never heard of giving 3" 'for the overlap'.

 

[TPO]

I think youre both sort of right.

You measure FOR a rug from the middle of the chest to the drop line from the top of the tail.

So when measuring a rug I'd do as you have and just round down to the nearest rug size to account for the overlap when fastening.

You could always measure along the top of the rug in cm, wither to tail seam, and that gives you the European size then convert it to uk.

 

[Fluffypiglet]

I guess based on previously owned rugs/ look of the horse and keep my fingers crossed. I then have to sell rugs where I’ve got it wrong and lose money so I probably should give it a go! I’ve only ever had a tape measure to my horse when I was looking to buy a trailer and wanted to make sure he would fit (he’s long!) I’m not good at measuring, we had to get a shelf put at the end of the bath as despite measuring several times the tub I ordered was too short. Better than the other way round though!

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

I would find a newer one with a size tag in it, then measure it how you were and see if it matches.. I have to be honest, I've never given it much thought

 

[FlorrieBrown]

Thank you for all the replies.

I am beginning to think that the best way is to get both horses side by side and just chuck them on until I find ones that fit regardless of actual measured size. They are both chunky types. Also, different brands tend to come up bigger or smaller due to the cut or design, so it's all bit of lottery really.

 

[Andie02]

You are measuring correct @FlorrieBrown.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Most have labels somewhere inside and I tend to buy my horses the same rugs so I write there names on the label.

 

[Skib]

In my first year of lessons, I measured my RS horse for a rug using a tape measure and then a length of string. Both the tape and the string terrified the horse, possibly they were too like a snake? So the next day I went back with a reel of cotton and measured with that.

 

[Bobthecob15]

I have never measured a rug in my life.

If it fits, on the horse it sits.

Yes same here and thereafter I go by that size and hope each brand is the same (although rarely is!)

 

[MrsMozartleto]

This is where I'm lazy - I just look at the horse and think "Hm, yes a 6'3" should do him/her" and usually get it about right.

I am about to tackle a huge pile of rugs I found in the lorry the other week. I'm hoping they're all labeled by the manufacturer...

 

[Greylegs]

Most of mine do have size labels but in most cases the writing has worn off or become illegible. Also, some of them have been washed and they can and do sometimes shrink a bit as a result, so measuring can be helpful - a rug which has shrunk a bit in the wash now fits the smaller horse …. Maybe keep a permanent marker to hand and write the size (or horse name) in the lining.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I think to myself what horses I have had in the past and what height and build they were and guess
16hh-16.2 generally between a 6’3 and 6’6
Orbi is 17.1 and in 7’0 rugs

 

[tda]

My friend laughs because all the rugs I own are 6ft. Ponies range from 13.2hh to 15hh. They all fit tho

 

[sportsmansB]

I have never measured either
Ours are all big ish event horses so we put a 6'3 on the small ones, a 6'6 on the middle ones and a 6'9 on the big ones lol. We do have one who is big all over who takes either the generous 6'9 (PE etc) or a 7'
Thats as scientific as it gets around here.
My companion pony is a nightmare as shes built like a dachsund and has very short legs and a long back so I have to try and find ones that aren't too deep but don't result in a drafty arse ...

 

[Annagain]

I just make fitting in 6'9" rugs, a 17.5" wide saddle, a full sized bridle and 5 1/2" bits, a requirement during my horse searches so I never have to measure anything or buy anything new.*



*I'm only half joking. I certainly have a type and it has saved me a lot of money over the last 4 horses.

 

[Squeak]

Another one who has to admit to never having measured a rug in my life. In your position OP I think I'd be doing as you suggested and trying the rugs on instead! Far easier!

 

[supagran]

Would you be able to find a rug that hasn't had the size label cut off/faded - measure that one both ways and see what the difference is?
This has peaked my interested and I'm going to try it when I go to the yard later!