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Selecting The Proper Horse Rugs

By Katrina Wheeler


During extreme weather conditions, the safety of your animal should be a top priority. Horse rugs provide additional protection during those times. Many times horses require supplementary support for warming up, cooling down, staying warm and dry. These covers allow freedom of movement while protecting them from harsh, inclement weather.

Placing a blanket on your equestrian friend is much easier than you would think. There are clasps, clips and straps to allow you to keep the blanket in place once it is properly positioned. There are straps that wrap around the belly, straps that go between the back legs and fasten to the sides and straps that wrap around the chest. These strategically placed straps assure you that the animal will not be able to remove the blanket easily. Covers come in a wide variety of colors, weights and styles. Thicker weighted coverlets are for the winter months, while the lighter weighted ones are for the warmer seasons. Some will even provide protection against mosquitoes and flies.

During the winter months, your animals will be able to stay warm and dry using these coverlets. Most are warm and water proof in order to prevent your animal from becoming wet during snow or rain. Additional protection is also available by attaching a neck cover.

There are many different types and styles of rugs and blankets to choose from. There can also be a difference in the weight of the fabrics used for this protection. There are stable, turnout, fly, water proof and cooling blankets as well as anti-sweat sheets. Each has a very distinctive use.

Turnout blankets are great to use when your equestrian friend is out to pasture. Stable wraps are excellent when he is locked up in the barn. Fly sheets are perfect for summer days when the flies are out. Cooling wraps are used to help a horse's temperature return to normal after exercise. When determining what type of blanket you want, remember the physical needs of your animal as well as the climate in which he will reside.

It is imperative that your animal be dry before placing a blanket on him. Blanketing him while he is wet can cause him to become ill. Dry him with an anti-sweat sheet before blanketing. It will remove any remaining water. Once he is dry, he may be blanketed. Remember that moisture can be held in by a blanket that is placed on a damp horse, which can cause serious health problems for him.

As the weather changes and the temperatures begin to drop, allow your animal to adjust to the temperature changes naturally. This will allow him to grow a winter coat. His winter coat will provide him with a great deal of protection. Make certain that you only blanket your animals when it is necessary. Blanketing early in the season means less natural protection for you animal.

Horse rugs are the perfect accoutrement for extreme weather conditions. Providing exceptional care for your equestrian friend is a top priority. Determine what size, type and weight will best fit your animals needs. Regardless of whether it is summer, spring, winter or fall there is a rug for every occasion. There is one additional benefit as well. They will look adorable wearing their winter jackets.




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