Hobart Seamless Turnout Rug: or what the well-dressed horse should be wearing this winter! (Horse Riding - Equipment)

Member Name: janna

Product:	Horse Riding - Equipment
Date:	13/01/01 (377 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: provides warmth, keeps off bad weather AND IT FITS!!

Disadvantages: none

As the winter approached I decided my horse needed a new turnout rug as the one he was wearing was far too small for him, didn't keep the rain off, rubbed his chest, and was generally falling to bits! One of the problems associated with owning a big and we are talking BIG heavyweight horse is that most standard sized rugs simply do not fit.

Just after Christmas I received a Sale Catalogue from Robinson's Country Leisure and came across a turnout rug that might just fit my horse; it was reduced from £85.95 to £70.00 (can't be bad). This was going to be a late Christmas present for him - and I am sure just what he wanted!!

The first job was to measure him for his new rug. He had to be measured from the centre of his chest (where the front of the rug is) around his shoulder in a straight line to the point level with the top of his tail. This is easier said than done; imagine the two of us (hubby got the front end, I got the bum end (just me luck!))with a tape measure trying to measure an extremely large and very ticklish horse, who every time he felt the tape measure on his body, jumped all over the stable. One thing I have learned from experience is to keep well away from his hooves - if a Shire treads on your feet, you are limping for days!

A winter turnout rug is worn to provide warmth and keep off the worst of the bad weather; it is especially useful to provide protection after a horse has been clipped. Traditional rugs are the New Zealand waterproof canvas rugs for outdoor use; but rugs are available nowadays in many different types of material, and are often lightweight, warm and easy to clean.

The rug arrived ten days after placing the order. It is made from "PU-coated ballistic nylon" with a fleecy lining. It is a sea-green in colour and the webbing surcingles (straps that go under the tummy) are maroon as are the two breast straps. It is certainly a good fit - all 7ft 6ins of it, and has should
er gussets to allow freedom of movement.

And what does my 15 year old think of his belated Christmas present - he much preferred the apples, carrots, polo mints, horse biscuits and mars bars(!!!!) that he received.

The first time he wore the rug he found the only muddy patch in the field and rolled in it. So now it is sea-green with earthy blotches!

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