The Stable Magazine - April 2016

WINTERRUGS
Does my horse need all those rugs?
Maybe, maybe not!
Don’t over rug!
If you’ve got more than two rugs on your horse, it’s
time to invest in some new garments - ones that are
suited to a purpose. There’s no point in using two
polar fleece rugs - invest in a medium fill doona. It is
possible to rug for every weather condition with a few
quality wardrobe pieces, rather than having your horse
looking like he’s your rug storage rack.
The more rugs you pile on, the harder they are to
remove in an emergency. Not only that, but too many
buckles and straps get in the way. How would you
feel if you were wearing four winter coats and asked
to go on a five kilometer walk? Too many rugs can be
cumbersome and heavy, and will affect the overall fit of
the rugs your horse is wearing. Rugs should all be fitted
correctly, should not slip and should not have loose
straps.
Rug according to the weather - and BE
PREPARED TO ALTER RUGS!
If it’s a crisp Winter night, by all means choose the
doona and synthetic waterproof combo you were
planning on. But if you can’t make it before the midmorning
sunshine, when temperatures are climbing
towards the 20 degree mark, then perhaps you need to
re-think your overnight rugging options.
Over rugging is even worse than not putting a rug on
your horse. Horses can overheat very easily. Sweat
underneath the rug is not only a sign that your horse
has been too warm and very uncomfortable, but it
also provides a moist, warm environments for fungal
infections to thrive. It is better that your horse be
a little bit cool overnight than spend the next day
sweating as though he’s just completed a cross country
course.
If you cannot get there to rug and un-rug accordingly,
look for an agistment that will provide the service, or
work out ‘shifts’ with other agistees.
How many rugs do you need?
The simple answer is, as many as it takes for
different weather conditions. Be prepared to
rug for conditions that are wet, but not cold
(rainsheet, waterproof, little or no fill), cold
winter days (waterproof rug with medium fill),
very cold nights (waterproof with more fill)
a cotton - as an underrug or for a light sheet
in summer, and a canvas - they are versatile,
breathable, waterproof (in most cases) and able
to offer your horse considerable protection from
wind and rain.
Out with the old, in with the new!
You always need back up rugs - for the chronic legstrap
snapper, the rug-eater - and for the horses who
love a swim in their synthetic. Keep spares on hand,
but rugs you no longer need can go on Facebook or be
sold at your next ARC car boot sale. Cash in on what
you don’t need, and put the money towards a whole
new wardrobe!
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The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com