urgent opinions needed-summer sheet with ONLY chest straps+leg straps-

It would probably stay put - I had an old canvas NZ that only had chest and leg straps and that was fine - depends how much your horse wriggles I suppose! You could always get x surcingles added later on if it was a problem.
 
I wouldn't. It can't stay in place without a surcingle of some form. Unless you are absolutely sure that your ned does not lie down or roll at all at night then it wouldn't be safe.

But you can buy elasticated surcingles from any tack shop. The just fit around the belly to hold the rug in place. They're not as comfortable as cross straps IMO (depite apprearences I am not a horse though so that is an anthropomophic view!) but they would certainly keep the rug in place better and are cheaper than a new rug!
 
Agree with above, I had one like this years ago and always used an elastic surcingle with it to be sure it would stay put.
 
bums.....despite me adjusting the X surcingles/single belly strap pretty snugly my 5yo is managing to get a foot (no idea if front or hind) caught in them whist rolling and has so far trashed 5 summer sheets last year and 2 this year! im assuming that he does it to his other rugs too but they are just tougher and dont rip as easily as cotton sheets.
hence i wondered if just the leg straps would keep it in place.

might have to be an elastic roller instead then as theres no way he could get a toe in that!

thanks :)
 
He's bay right? Then why does he need a summer sheet in the first place....I would be concerned about broken legs.
 
I'm old enough to remember when lots of rugs were like this. We used to turn out in heavy pold canvas rugs with just leg straps and no surcingles. They did stay on but did have a tendency to slip to the side rather badly
 
I used to have a fantastic wax turnout rug with only a single chest fastening and leg straps, the leg straps were elastic and you didn't twist them through each other as they fitted snuggly to each leg. No idea how it stayed on but it did and it very rarely slipped or moved, it did however weigh about a ton so maybe that is what kept it in place!
Might be worth trying the summer sheet and then as you say use an elastic surcingle if when you try it on it doesn't look like it will stay put.
 
yes he's bay but he needs a sheet overnight to keep the chill off,sorry i dont like leaving them totally naked except on the hottest nights if they cant move round to warm up, and yes he has to be stabled over night.
i AM worried about injuries-i thought id solved the issue as shelled out for a thermatex summer sheet with only the belly strap and he has been fine in that, but clearly it wasnt the final solution as thats now on the great rug rack in the sky too!

i think it might be worth a shot, and whats the worst that could happen....another wrecked rug and wasted £30, sigh........
 
Genius!
iv even got a mark todd fly rug going spare as mine finds it too hot as well!!!

thank you thank you thank you! i think that will work as the straps are on velcro so if he did(through a freak contortion) get a toe in the belly pad, it would just come undone and not rip.
sorted!!!!!
 
Bloss went through 3 MT fly rugs one year, they arent very strong at all IMO! Shes a devil with fly rugs though, she has to go without now.

I would buy a sheet without cross surcingles (or take them off) and get an elastic surcingle to put over the top.
 
The one big surcingle that goes all the way around the belly is great! it is skin tight (elasticated) and the rug doesn't move at all (well it shouldn't depends how riggly your horse is :P)! Well worth trying !
 
oh double bum, well, i think im going to try that first as it doesnt involve buying anything and the MT rug is a spare anyway, and if he joins Bloss's clube will try an elastic surcingle, and if all else fails i will try the leg straps and after that im going to BBQ the horse!
 
BBQ! Brill :D

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Tempi, some of the MT fly rugs are made of light material but the one I mentioned seems very strong. Mine has taken a fair bit of abuse but looks none the worse for wear.
 
i have an old style new zealand with front strap, chest straps and hind leg straps, its gone on many a hyper horse and not budged in the field despite galloping / rolling / messing about etc.
 
Well personally I'd rather naked than potentially injured :S but your horse!
Mine all manage to cope from may on without any rugs, thoroughbred types and all...
 
Well, variety is the spice of life as they say... And all horses are different so you should treat according to your horse - they are individuals.

My horse has been naked since mid April but there are others on the yard who still have some form of rug on at night because they feel the chill/owners don't want them to lose condition etc. These are a mixture of racehorses, competition horses (eventers and dressage) and happy hackers.

But to answer the original post - I have used an old canvas NZ with a chest strap and just leg straps and it worked fine and never slipped. Might be inclined to add an elastic surcingle in the stable though if they are lying down etc.
 
Is that the zilco summer sheets? I had one for my chap to keep him clean turned out - let more air circulate round his tum and never had a problem
 
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