Shetlands and turnout rugs

Box_Of_Frogs

Box_Of_Frogs

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Anyone found a make of shetland pony rug that actually fits? I know some will be saying shetlands don't need any rugs, but my 2 are solid little souls and have table top backs so the rain gathers there and they get rain scald at the drop of a hat. In addition, they may be quite ABLE to cope with foul weather but it doesn't mean they have to like it! Anyway, I bought Dinky Rugs no fill turnout rugs last year and even though they are the right size as measured correctly, a round belly and deep chest means that the rugs slide back and almost choke off the blood supply to the ponies' brains. If I get a smaller size so that the neck opening is smaller so the rug doesn't slide back, then the tail flap sits neatly across their hips. I really, really, really don't want to have to do DIY alterations!
 
My mums neighbour who breeds shetlands has to alter all of their rugs before they can be worn, I think she's given up finding ones that fit.
 
Thing is, if you buy a rug with no fill, it will flatten the coat so they'll actually be colder as there is no trapped warm air to provide insulation.

I would get a decently filled t/o for your dinkies or layer with an old quilt. Can't suggest any makers of decent mini-rugs...
 
I have horseware rugs for mine. (dont work for them or with them) I have a couple of amigo 600d's, a 1200d, and a rhino lite. I have a couple of rugs which I can stick under for warmth as he'll be fully clipped this year. They're a decent fit, altho I did order one size up so I can get rugs under the turnouts x
 
Our's are minis but are rugged as they're clipped out for driving, but live out. We found Robinsons Petite Ponies ones fit the best, but also have a couple of old Shires ones which fit well.
 
We also found the Robinsons petite pony range fits best. Surprisingly, it's stayed waterproof for over a year too!

She only wears it in summer mind when she has no coat.
 
Our 36 inch shettie has an Amigo one which fits along the back and chest but the straps have to be lengthened for her tum, and a Weatherbeeta which is a good fit but comes down to her knees (not a problem as it's a medium-weight and used in very wet cold conditions).

Just because a shettie can survive on top of a mountain with the odd sprig of gorse to munch, it doesn't mean that they want to:D
 
Thanks all - should have said Lady is 7.2hh and takes a 4ft, Molly is 8hh and takes a 4ft 3in/4ft 6in. Most manufacturers stop before they go that small. And yes, any rug does flatten their super-thick coats but the alternative of rainscald for 6 months isn't really an option. Lots of info for me to explore here - thanks again everyone x
 
Box_Of_Frogs said:
Anyone found a make of shetland pony rug that actually fits? I know some will be saying shetlands don't need any rugs, but my 2 are solid little souls and have table top backs so the rain gathers there and they get rain scald at the drop of a hat. In addition, they may be quite ABLE to cope with foul weather but it doesn't mean they have to like it! Anyway, I bought Dinky Rugs no fill turnout rugs last year and even though they are the right size as measured correctly, a round belly and deep chest means that the rugs slide back and almost choke off the blood supply to the ponies' brains. If I get a smaller size so that the neck opening is smaller so the rug doesn't slide back, then the tail flap sits neatly across their hips. I really, really, really don't want to have to do DIY alterations!
Click to expand...

I bought rugs for my shetland (4'3) and had to have a dart put in each side of the neck in order to get them to fit as just like you describe they slip back, rub at the wither and shoulders. Problem solved with the darts BUT......... after getting her these rugs she let me know that she didn't want to be rugged. She would pull the most dreadful faces at me when I approached her with a rug so now both of my old girls are rugless.

Holly suffers rainscald just as you describe but if you rub in sudcream, hey presto problem solved. I've even started to do this with my ID mare with a dippy back as she got rainscald for the first tome last winter. I couldn't rug her as it was far too warm but rub some sudocream in and problem totally solved.

Obviously you need to use the cream before they get rainscald.......;)
 
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