Horse Rug � Tips On Buying The Best

If you struggle buying the right rug for your horse, take note of tips from the experts.

When buying a horse rug, it's important to bear an important fact in mind. If you invest in a cheap horse rug, you will only end up spending more money in the long run. The longest lasting horse rugs are those that cost a little bit more but come with the quality to match. Horse rugs made from Australian wool have been recommended by experts, combined with quality 100% cotton binding.

When purchasing your horse rug, make certain that your measurements are correct. Rugs purchased from Australia will be measured along the lower edge of the rug, whereas in America , the rug is measured along the spine.

When washing your horse rug, be sure to read the washing guidelines particularly carefully as many cheap rugs will shrink drastically in the wash. An advantage of Australian wool horse rugs are that although they are more expensive, they are better quality so there is relatively little shrinkage when you wash the rug.

One of the main factors to consider when purchasing a horse rug is the size of its neck. If the neck is too big for a horse or pony then it will be very uncomfortable for the animal and may cause rubbing on their shoulders. A horse rug that is correctly fitted should sit forward on a horse, in front of the wither. Many cheap rugs do not have a good neck fit and are therefore a waste of money.

If you're thinking of purchasing a new horse rug, but are unsure of what is a good neck fit for your horse, the following steps are a good guide:

•  Get a long ruler, lay in from the top of the neck in a straight line to the lower edge of the horse rug.

•  Get a tape measure, and from the edge of the front of the horse rug (when the front strap is done up where if fits the horse), measure the distance in a straight line back to the ruler laying on the rug.

•  Ask the seller to repeat this process.

These steps will give you a more accurate neck size than trying to measure the rug along the neck and will ensure you get the right rug for your horse.

When considering binding, canvas horse rugs are better off being folded as opposed to bound. However, woollen or cotton rugs must be bound and it's important to opt for the right binding materials to ensure your horse is comfortable at all times. The cheaper binding option is nylon but this type of binding can rub a horse, so it's recommended that you opt for a cotton binding that is more expensive but will keep your horse happier.

A division of Confidence Sporting Goods, inc., the famous manufacturer from Palm Springs , California , we have been making quality sporting goods for 35 years. We sell a huge range of sports equipment, including horse rugs. Because we sell directly to you, you can expect to save up to 70% on normal retail prices when buying from us.

To order, phone 1-800-603-0004.