| Most of us are familiar with two basic horse rugs | | | | boots: their Velcro fastenings and reinforced stays |
| (horse blankets): turnout rugs for inclement weather, | | | | prevent them from slipping. These are useful to stop |
| and stable rugs for the barn. But new uses for this | | | | a horse from stamping his hooves constantly against |
| versatile horse equipment are constantly being | | | | the flies, a common reason for loss of shoes in the |
| developed to make life easier for both horse and | | | | summer. |
| owner during every stage of equestrian activity. | | | | Exercise Rugs |
| Coolers/Anti-Sweat Rugs | | | | Thankfully there are good products on the market |
| When your horse sweats during work to bring his | | | | for enabling us to continue working our horses even |
| temperature down you don't want him to catch a chill | | | | in bad weather. |
| in cold weather. Horse rugs with wicking properties | | | | For rainy days there's the ¾ waterproof exercise |
| prevent this. | | | | sheet which covers the horse from his hindquarters |
| Known as cooler rugs or anti-sweat rugs, they're | | | | to the pommel of the saddle. It extends over the |
| made of non-absorbent material which draws the | | | | rider's legs to keep them dry during wet weather |
| sweat away from the horse's skin. The moisture | | | | work. |
| evaporates more quickly, keeping the horse warm | | | | If you need to keep your tacked up horse dry |
| while drying him. | | | | between rides at shows, clinics, lessons, etc. on wet |
| Examples of material with wicking properties are | | | | days, use a waterproof rain sheet to cover the |
| polyester and microfiber-based fabrics. Fleece is | | | | whole horse, including his neck, while he stands |
| excellent, because it has the qualities of wool without | | | | unmounted. |
| being so heavy. | | | | For really cold days, consider using a ¾ Newmarket |
| Fleece horse rugs are useful not only for drying the | | | | rug made of wool, with the distinctive gold, black and |
| equine athlete after exercise, but also for travelling, | | | | red stripes. This fits under the saddle, with loops on |
| showing and as an under rug in the stable. Because | | | | either side for the girth to pass through, and keeps |
| they are light, they can be part of a two layer | | | | the horse's back and kidneys warm. |
| system which traps air for good thermal insulation, | | | | A lighter version of this is the ¾ exercise sheet |
| instead of one thick rug. | | | | with a nylon outer shell and lined with cotton. It's ideal |
| Cotton coolers are suitable in warm weather when | | | | for riding clipped horses in cool weather. |
| less insulation is required. They take longer to dry | | | | There is an innovative fleece rug in the U.K. designed |
| than fleece and therefore won't keep your horse | | | | specially for horses being exercised on horse walkers. |
| warm in cold temperatures. | | | | The rug has thermal and wicking properties to keep |
| If your horse is left unattended, make sure his rug | | | | the horse warm and dry. It is closeda round the |
| has a fillet string under the tail to stop it from shifting | | | | horse's girth, which keeps it in place, and has |
| or blowing over his back. For your horse's safety the | | | | cut-away shoulders to prevent rubbing and ensure |
| rug should also be secured with surcingles under the | | | | freedom of movement. |
| belly, or an elastic one around the horse's girth. | | | | Travelling |
| Fly Sheets | | | | A lightweight rug made of breathable and easily |
| Fly sheets are lightweight rugs made of mesh to | | | | washable material will typically be used to transport a |
| protect the horse's body from irritating, biting bugs | | | | horse. Depending on the weather this can be a |
| and come in different designs. | | | | summer sheet, fleece rug or cooler rugs. Make sure |
| Regular fly sheets are a mesh version of normal | | | | it's properly secured and won't come off en route. |
| horse rugs and used to turn the horse out in summer | | | | Many owners like to individualize their horse rugs, for |
| weather.It has a tail flap and surcingles which cross | | | | example with monograms or their stable's name. |
| under the belly. If the sheet has leg straps it doesn't | | | | Related Horse Equipment |
| need a fillet string under the tail. | | | | However well your horse's rug may fit, it can still rub |
| Another design has a mesh stomach flap. While this | | | | the hair off his shoulders. Use a Lycra shoulder guard |
| looks like a great idea, in my experience the flap | | | | or stretch vest to avoid this. |
| actually traps the flies which then buzz around your | | | | Some rugs come without leg straps or fillet strings. |
| horse's belly and make him really uncomfortable! | | | | It's a good idea to have extra straps and strings for |
| The smart version of the fly sheet, called a 'scrim | | | | securing such rugs safely, and to replace broken |
| sheet' in the States, is useful for horse shows. It | | | | ones. |
| usually has a tail cord but no surcingles. Once again, | | | | For rugs with no attachments for leg straps or |
| make sure the sheet is well secured by an elastic | | | | surcingles there are now clip-ons available in the U.K. |
| surcingle if you leave your horse unattended. | | | | They're easy to put on and can also be used to |
| Additional Fly Protection | | | | replace broken straps. |
| A mesh fly hood - with or without ear covers - is a | | | | A rug chest expander is handy piece of horse |
| useful piece of horse equipment for increased | | | | equipment which allows you to use an existing rug |
| protection of the eyes against flying insects. This can | | | | that's too short instead of having to buy a new one. |
| be attached to a mesh neck cover, which in turn is | | | | Rugs are invaluable items of horse equipment with |
| connected to the fly sheets. | | | | multiple uses for keeping our equine partners |
| Anti-fly boots are available in the States, made of | | | | comfortable. Lookout for new types of rugs as they |
| the same mesh as the sheets. They cover the leg | | | | come onto the market: they're improving life for the |
| from below the knee down to the hoof like travel | | | | rider all the time. |