Advice on rugs

[dannyboy]

I need to buy Murphy some rugs for the incoming winter. I don't have alot of cash, so need to know what I can get away with.

I priced the following from a local tack shop - a Shires winter Typhoon 1200 Denier Polyfill 350 (£60) with Neck Rug (£25) & a Shires Winter Highlander 600 Denier polyfill 200 (£40)- All for £125. Does that sound like enough rugs and does the price sound OK? Just wondering what are Shires rugs like? I have a waterproof rug but it's not heavy, I'd say more for rainy days but it's a bit snug as he's put on quite a lot of weight. Could it do as a spare?

[jack]

for a start measure him so you do get the right size as he has put on weight i would also get 2 of each rug as for his age i would go for light med and maybe a heavy go on ebay as there are bargans on there and you should be able to get them quite cheap also if you find a second hand ask if its been cleaned and re proofed i dont go for expencive ones as they are bound to get riped i have found this site to be realy good
www.equestrianclearance.com/weatherbeeta/big_girl_or_boy_special_rugs_7_3_7_6_/

[fleabitten]

i think the 200 polyfill would be too lightweight but the 350 would be fine. Price is decent - what id expect - couldnt tell you about shires rugs though.

Ideally you want 2 300+ ones, no point in buying the 250 one if its not going to be thick enough. You could start with the one and then put aside a little money when you can to buy another one?

[dannyboy]

Thanks for the link Jack.
Flea, I thought maybe one of each - middle & heavy to get me started but do you think he might need more heavy ones?

I thought I might go to a local tack shop first, so if it didn't fit I could take it back

[fleabitten]

I would go for heavy ones - when we had Connie, we were actually putting 2 rugs on her to keep her warm as we only had thinnish ones. She even had a thick rug on in good weather as her thermostat was all messed up.

I dunno , maybe a middle and heavy one would be a good idea so then you have all 3 weights but then if one gets wet and you need to swap then youd be putting a lighter one on so he would be colder maybe.

[jack]

for him i would have one very cheap light 2 med and 2 heavy

[dannyboy]

Thanks Flea & Jack, I suppose I'll have to dig a little deeper into those skinny jean pockets ;D
When do I start to rug him? Its been pretty mild here as last wee while but that won't last forever. Do you have yours rugged up yet?

[fleabitten]

Kieran has his lightweight turnout on at night when its 5 degrees or lower at the minute. Will just play it by ear as it gets colder.

[duckles]

DB - I have to confess - I only have one rug for each horse (and an old lighter one which I occasionally use in milder weather on JB )
I put a heavy weight Rambo on each horse after they are clipped and take it off in April or May (depending on weather).
If you are not going to clip, you mightn't need a heavy rug as their own coats can be quite warm. A middle weight one would probably do (unless you get really cold weather in your area - I know you would be a bit colder than us). Some horses don't need a rug at all but I think with his arthritis, Murphy will need one. I imagine he will lose a bit of condition as well in the colder weather so you will want him nice and snug.
I have to admit nearly everyone I know has only one rug.
The old light rug I have is shires - it is fine, I like it but it is not nearly as heavy or waterproof or as hardy as my rambo rugs. Some horses are hard on rugs and rip them (mine don't I have to say) and if Murphy is one of those horses, you will need an extra rug for the emergency.
As to when to start on rugs, I think it is too early yet- the nights have got cooler but its not that cold yet. You kind of have to play it by ear a bit as the weather changes so much but certainly you will need a rug Nov to Feb and prob Oct and March as well.

[dannyboy]

Thanks for the tips Duckles, what polyfill do you think would be sufficent and should I get a neck cover too? I'm in on my own in the office today and will be able to do a little surfing ;D

[racaille]

Equestrian Clearance are great. But I also really rate this lady

stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/Calvert-Green-Saddlery_Medium-Weight-Turnout_W0QQ_fsubZ182969819QQ_sidZ532570009QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em322

She spent ages on the phone with me, trying to get the right fit for my boys, measuring neck openings etc. I eventually plumped for the Wetherbeeta Landa Original as it has the pleats on the sides which are more comfortable for a stockier horse than, say, a TP, who might suit the pleats at the front.

Her prices are so low that I won't ever bother to wash or reproof my rugs - it's cheaper to just buy a new one. My boys only have one each, medium turnout for night-time as the rugs come off when the winter sun comes out.

[fimacg]

Murphy is a big boy isn't he - I have a MW turnout Masta Zing rug which is too big for chomps around the neck so slips back too far - happy to check the actual size but have a feeling its 6'3" or 6'6", I only use it a couple of time and its been cleaned but I don't use it so if your interested let me know and I will send it over to you.

I would be happy to accept £20 +postage for it

[dannyboy]

Fi, Murphy is 6'9" (17hh), he might even need bigger - that would have been brilliant too, really reasonable Thanks for the offer Anybody else any? ;D

[fleabitten]

I should check what size our lilac stable rug is but i think it would probably be too small. Will check anyway - its over 6 foot if i can remember correctly.

** Its 6'3 so much too small oh well.

[maximum]

I have 7' landa MW with high neck i got for Murdo - was £30 quid on ebay - you can have it for that price - will get pic if your interested ( thats including P and P) its like new.

[dannyboy]

Maxi, pics please - that sounds very good

[maximum]

here they are - on second look t its got a few wee tiny pulls - looks like horse was against barbed wire! BUT I checked my e bay account and I paid less than I thought so if you make a another donation to the hospice ( and thank you for the last one) of 20 pounds its yours

[dannyboy]

Maxi, that sounds too good to refuse Just one little query, if Murphy is 6'9" would a 7" be OK? - I suppose its better big than too small.

[fleabitten]

I think the bigger the better. They seem too small most of the time!! a 14.2 on the guides is supposed to be 5'6 but Kieran has a 6'0 thats just lovely and snug.

[maximum]

should be ok - he looks like he has big shoulders and that has to come into it rather than just length think of the breadth (oo-er missus) did you measure him at 6'9" - thats not huge for such a big horse?

[dannyboy]

Maxi, we just measured his height - 17hh and all the books say that a 6'9" should fit but your right he has quite bit shoulders. I know you state its a MW - what polyfill do you think it is?

[maximum]

forget the books hun - you need to measure them!! Max was only 16.3 but a 7' or 7' 3" in some rugs

[jack]

db im going to ask but im not being rude

do you know how to measure for rug sizeing its not the hight of horse you go by if it is them im stumped jack is 16"1 and he is in a 6"9 -7"

[dannyboy]

I'll measure him tomorrow - I never realised it could be so far out sometimes I think I was just being a bit lazy too ;D I've seen taking measurements in a few of the catalogues i.e. Robinsons, so will follow this tomorrow. Thanks.

[fleabitten]

DB, i pm'ed you some instructions.