Veteran Getting Stuck

[PG134]

Hi, my 28 yo gelding has twice managed to get stuck in a Weatherbeeta Landa (original, not Freestyle) this week. Its like he rolls, then seems to get his bum pulling the rug back under him, thus getting the front so taut, it pulls down and restricts his shoulders, so he has no "ooomph" to propel himself up. Its been on a perfectly flat part of the field, and he's never had this problem before. I wonder if the rug has stretched (its a few years old), or whether he has changed shape a bit at the front? He's in wonderful condition for his age, and has in fact brought home 7 rosettes (incl 2 1sts, a Championship, & a
2nd), a cup and a trophy in the last 4 weeks, so I can confirm he is not arthritic or wobbly in general. He still tanks all over the place, so its something to do with the rug, not his legs.

Has anyone else had problems with an older horse getting "cast" in the field, or stuck in his rug? Any tips? Does anyone know what rug would be a higher cut at the neck? Winter is on the way, so the Landa will not be needed, but I will need to replace that weight of rug in the Spring. He seems to be fine in all his Premier Equine rugs, and Shires Stormcheetas.......but I'm worrying about all my Weatherbeeta's now.

 

[Jackobean]

Have u tried Saxon rugs? They are made by Weatherbeeta but a cheaper alternative. I find them a brilliant fit on my youngsters and my 30 yr old pony. The fit is not as generous as some rugs on the market & although they are cheaper they are very good, my o.a.p has had the same one for 4 years now & it always washes & proofs up perfectly. Just a suggestion.

 

[howengold]

my 37 year old has taken to escaping from her rugs...she rolls and somehow they slide over her head and then the daft old cow gets soaked, I had to change her rug twice last week as the first one (a shires one but not sure of the type) was catching her feet and she spent most of one afternoon with her hoof caught in the syrcingles [sp] she has never had that happen in it before and the straps are done up properly. All I can think is it has stretched. The second one I have never had bother with but she got her foot stuck in the leg straps so we had to remove them and now it is too loose when rolling and just slides off.

I can only think his rug must have grown loose as I have never had my olders cast in their rugs.

 

[PG134]

Thanks for replies so far. have thought about Saxon rugs, but they aren't that snug around the neck, although as they are not very deep, a Saxon may solve the "sitting on the skirt" problem!!! I have seen a Masta with a higher-cut neck, and Mark Todd's have nice deep forward-set shoulder pleats. The new Rambo Optima looks FAB, with its revolutionary split, but I don't need a heavyweight. I can only agree that the landa causing a problem has stretched with age. I'm worried about leg straps now as well, using fillet straps now, hoping that will help. At least he just calmly waits for help to arrive, and doesn't panic!!

 

[iconique]

Mistletoe, our 40+ year old only gets turned out in a rug with no tail flap, she has a filet string but never leg straps. She has one of the old fashioned canvas rugs, which we have several and wash and religously re-proof each year! (Every day is a bonus at that age!)

10 years ago she went down in the field and then had problems, but never without a rug on and did much the same as your chap, she sat there like a dog most of the time waiting on a tug or a push to get up - very frightening as the rest would come and and we would dread that she had given up.

 

[PG134]

Well, Angelo, almost 29yo, has wintered out through 2 lots of snow and terrible weather in Aberdeenshire. We've had crap weather and sub-zero temps since way before xmas. He has only been "stuck" once, pretended to be dead with rigamortis legs, freaked my friend out, she was a wreck when I got there! Solution seems to be Premier Equine style rugs, with fillet straps not leg straps. He's been out in an old half-neck Premier Equine 300gsm, with another Premier Equine rug on top, either the 200 or 300gsm and hood, depending on the weather. Adds up to lots of warmth, but minimal overall weight. He has had a Weatherbeeta Orican on as an outer rug when it was really horrid, and I just replaced the leg straps for a fillet. So far so good!!