Measuring a Horse Rug

Horse rugs are measured in feet and every 3 inches. If your horse is between sizes it is usually better to go up a size rather than down, unless the horse is narrow chested or very petite. Choosing the correct size is important as it could potentially be dangerous or cause rubbing and irritation if incorrectly fitted. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you require further advise.

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The correct size can be calculated by measuring with a soft tape measure the length from the centre of the horse’s chest to the rear point of the rump or where you expect the rug to finish (as per the diagram above). Alternatively, this can also be done using an existing rug - preferably a rug with no filling as this can alter the measurement slightly.

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Fitting a Horse Rug

• The rug should sit approximately 2 to 4 inches forward of the withers and do up snugly around the chest area. Ideally it should be buckled on the second tightest hole.

• The seam where the tail flap attaches should sit at the top of the tail. The cheeks of the rump of the horse may stick out slightly.

• Leg straps should be adjusted to make sure they are loose enough not to chafe when the horse moves but are not hanging low. They should also be looped through each other with the clips facing inwards towards the horse. This helps prevent them getting clipped onto something like a fence.

• Surcingles should be adjusted to be snug with approximately a hands width between them and the belly of the horse.

 

What if the Rug Rubs?

There are many different reasons this may happen but the most common are:

• Too many layers of rugs

• The horse may be petite and have a narrow chest. This means the rug will fit nicely length ways but will be too big around the shoulders therefore requiring a smaller size.

• The horse may be short and stocky, with a large chest and barrel. Again the rug will fit nicely length ways but will be too small around the shoulders requiring a bigger size.

Different brands of rugs have different fits- just like human clothing brands, our brand has a very standard fit around the shoulders and also have gussets to try help prevent rubbing. Rug bibs are also an option for a tricky to fit horse.