How To Make Sure That Your Horse Rugs Are Welcomed

It’s that time of year again. The nights are drawing in and we will be spending a lot of time at home in front of the fire, so we need to be sure that our new horse is as comfortable as we are as the season changes. The summertime is over and those enjoyable evenings with your new horse are in the past, yet you are still putting together all the tack and equipment that you need as a horse owner. At this time you have to be sure that you have the correct number of horse rugs and this can be a little difficult to comprehend when starting out.

There are a variety of different types of horse rug and you can find a product suitable for any circumstance or condition. However, you really need to get to know your horse and find out what the animal is comfortable with. The first thing that you need to consider is whether the horse will be kept in stable or outdoors. Some people mistakenly think that a stabled horse is protected by the building and does not need any extra protection. In truth, however, the animal may feel the cold a lot more than the counterpart out in the pasture. A stabled horse may not get as much exercise as the other but either way, you need to be sure that they are as comfortable as possible.

Younger horses or ponies may not take too kindly to wearing stable rugs in the beginning. Therefore, you must be careful how you mount it to the animal and should start off with a lighter product. Remember that the horse does not understand that you are only looking after it. Confusion may reign and it may not take too kindly to you just throwing a rug on top of it when you get there.

It’s far better to introduce a folded rug and to unfold it slowly, to give the horse time to understand what is going on. Fasten it around the neck area first before attaching the surcingles beneath the belly. Remember, as is the case with anything that you attach to your horse, saddles, bridles, rugs and so on — never attach anything too tightly. You should always be able to slide your hand in between the object and the horse.

As the nights get colder and conditions change, make sure that you pay a lot of attention to your animal to see whether the stable rug that you have selected is appropriate. If the animal is too cold it will likely be standing in a rigid position with its tail hanging straight down. If you can feel underneath the rug and the horse is sweating, you know that you need to select a different rug.

When you have selected a range of stable rugs or turnout rugs, sweat rugs or sheets for your horse, why not treat yourself for your efforts? A nice pair of riding boots would make a great gift to yourself. Some of the most attractive and stylish, yet rugged and durable boots on the market today are made by Ariat. You will look splendid when wearing a pair of these boots on your next ride.