what can i sew to rugs to protect from barbed wire

S

sodapop

Well-Known Member
Joined
13 May 2011
Messages
235
Visit site
My yard insists on using barbed wire everywhere, I've searched for new yards but there is a serious lack of yards in my area that offer suitable facilities and safe riding. I can't use electric fencing, can anyone suggest a fabric that I can sew to the chest area of my rugs to protect my horse from this horrible fencing? I thought about something kevlar based or some sort of hide but wondered if anyone had modified their rugs with success?
 
I use Kevlar string for attaching air jackets to saddles. Judging from how tough it is to cut, you'll have very sore fingers if you try to sew Kevlar to the rug yourself, so you might need to factor in the cost of having it done by a rug mender with an industrial sewing machine.


.
 
If the protective material isn't too heavy you could stick it on with copydex. I use this to patch up my turnout rugs.
 
We've got one field with a stretch of barbed wire (long story short, but all the newer fencing ive had done had been rubbish compared to this old fence, which is still pristine and strong after 30 yrs, so Im loath to change it!). I find its best to let horses out without rugs for a few days, so they realise leaning on a barb hurts and dont (same applies to electric fences, the rugs protect them a bit too much!). Our fence is pretty high, so only the 16h+ can lean over it.
 
Thanks everyone, there is someone local that repairs tack and rugs so I can ask them about sewing things to the rugs.
 
cremedemonthe said:
I had the same problem years ago when one of my customers asked me to reinforce her rugs...
So, I used some 3mm thick chrome shoulder I had lurking in my workshop, tough as concrete and old boots put together, did the trick but made the rug stiff like a suit of armour!
Oz
Click to expand...
What is it?
 
Forgive stupidity, but is it easier to run a row of electric tape across to prevent the rugs getting near the barbed wire? Barbed wire is not my favourite, we have a small amount so do this!

#firmly taking the line of least resistance since 1983!
 
sodapop said:
My yard insists on using barbed wire everywhere, I've searched for new yards but there is a serious lack of yards in my area that offer suitable facilities and safe riding. I can't use electric fencing, can anyone suggest a fabric that I can sew to the chest area of my rugs to protect my horse from this horrible fencing? I thought about something kevlar based or some sort of hide but wondered if anyone had modified their rugs with success?
Click to expand...
If it were me, i would use cheap old rugs till I found somewhere else or rent my own field. I hate barbed wire and would not keep mine anywhere for a permanent yard.
 
I don’t think anyone would choose to have a field with barbed wire in it. One of our winter fields is 10acres and all barbed wire but it’s the only yard that offers 24/7 turnout locally to me. I’m slowly putting electric up but luckily they stay off. OP may well be in a similar position to me and has to compromise on something
 
SODAPOP, in answer to your question of what is it, it is
Tough as old boots shoulder leather, shoulder is the part of the hide it comes from, chrome is the tannage instead of the veg tanned hide/leather like what your bridle is probably made from, it's far more weather resistant for starters plus you don't need to condition it much if at all. It's a grey coloured hide, often was used on straps on rugs before polyester webbing took over.
Chrome tanned leather is often used for shoes, clothes, upholstery, it's hard wearing with little maintenance.
Oz
 
cremedemonthe said:
SODAPOP, in answer to your question of what is it, it is
Tough as old boots shoulder leather, shoulder is the part of the hide it comes from, chrome is the tannage instead of the veg tanned hide/leather like what your bridle is probably made from, it's far more weather resistant for starters plus you don't need to condition it much if at all. It's a grey coloured hide, often was used on straps on rugs before polyester webbing took over.
Chrome tanned leather is often used for shoes, clothes, upholstery, it's hard wearing with little maintenance.
Oz
Click to expand...
Thank you cremedemonthe I'll ask my local repair person
 
Barton Bounty said:
Kevlar, or similar. Remember the old new zealand rugs you used to get, bright green and practically, tornado 🌪 proof .. that was tough stuff
Click to expand...
It was 15-18 ounce waxed canvas, still have some and use it to make these, it is tough but it's woven and won't take barbed wire being rubbed on it for long before the fibres fray
 

Attachments

  • wire cover.jpg
    wire cover.jpg
    106.4 KB · Views: 4
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top