Taking rugs on and off in field..

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caitlin95uk

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I was just wondering, as I have seen many post on here about when you take horses rugs off in the field, you need to undo certain straps first then second then last.
And its also different for putting them on.
I'm guessing its to do with them running off and getting stuck etc.
But what is the order and why?
Sorry if its a stupid question :D
 
I don't DO leg straps but if I did I would undo them first, then surcingles, then front straps. That way if they do a runner you aren't left with broncing tangled horse with straps round it's hind legs etc
 
I always undo the hind leg straps/tail fillet first. It's very unusual, except perhaps in a full gale, for a rug to be blown over a horse's head, but it's very easy to have a horse shift suddenly when you have only got round to undoing the chest fastening and surcingles, and suddenly you have a bucking bronco with hind legs all wound up in straps, rug etc.
 
I would not even attempt to change a rug in the field. Firstly, it is highly dangerous, if they run off they could tangle the rug up and do damage and secondly mine is in a 14 acre field. I always take him out of the field to do so, where I have more control. I also always ensure that I have at least a headcollar on as well.
 
As above
My horses have 50 acres so if one is over or under rugged I tend to just traipse up there with rug to look for the horse/or remove it up there and drag it back down. Horses tend to not even notice me. there's grass to be eaten, you see.
 
Either way has its problems as mentioned dangling leg straps or a horse running off with rug wrapped neck and tripping over etc best to bring in and alter/straighten or change even a quiet horse/pony can get spooked.
 
helencharlie said:
I would not even attempt to change a rug in the field. Firstly, it is highly dangerous, if they run off they could tangle the rug up and do damage and secondly mine is in a 14 acre field. I always take him out of the field to do so, where I have more control. I also always ensure that I have at least a headcollar on as well.
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Well mine are on full turnout so they always get rug changes in the field ;)

However I do always have a headcollar one Samba, and sometimes just a rope round Toffee. I tend to take off with them just stood there. I dont do leg straps either. When I had leg straps though I always took them off and clipped them back on, thts how I was taught.
 
The horse should at no point only have the neck straps done up as if it spooks/ runs off it could end up wearing it bib fashion & end up tripping, falling & completely trashing the rug. Having said that, a lot of under rugs only have neck straps.

Start by doing surcingles as if they clear off they can fairly easily kick free of the rug without too much damage being caused.

Whichever way you choose has potential problems. I do x-surcingles, then neck, then leg straps & reverse that when removing the rug.
 
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to take off, you should undo (well ive been taught) in this order:

neck
hind leg straps
surcingles
front straps

Then reverse to put back on :)
 
When I was doing B test we was taught, to take off:
Front
Back
Middle

And to put on:
Middle
Back
Front

By doing it this way, if your horse galloped off the rug would slip backwards and horse would get it off, by doing it the way many other people have stated and the horse ran off the rug would slip round to the front and trip the horse up. I have seen a horse break its leg because of this!
 
The safest way is probably leg straps then front fastening then surcingles but tbh I rarely end up doing this. Usually it's leg straps, surcingles then front straps and rug off but occasionally I do it front - to back which is probably not the most sensible! In my defence I know my chap very well and he's not the type to panic if a rug flaps about - I've put rugs on him in the field in gale force winds before which involves me rolling up the rug as best I can, flinging it round his neck to fasten the front, dragging it down with my weight to stop it flying over his head and hanging under his belly to fasten the surcingles..! :o Obviously, with an unknown horse I would be much more cautious. Our lot are used to me doing stupid things though - I reckon it makes them much more amenable! :D
 
Putting on, I always do:
1) Velcro on chest (it holds rug secure but will come undone if they bog off and step on rug).
2) Cross surcingles
3) Chest straps
4) Leg straps if fitted.

Reverse for taking off.
 
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