HOW TO FIT A RUG LEG STRAPS Make sure to cross the leg straps between the horse's hind legs to prevent rubbing ! (Right strap crosses over the left strap and is fastened on right side)
SURCINGLES
Make sure that distance "D" (between the straps and the horse's belly) is one hand's breadth - to give horse enough freedom of movement and at the same time keeping rug in place.
NOTE: The depth of the rug in the picture is NOT the correct one for a turnout or New Zealand rug - I had to draw it like this to be able to show distance "D".
GROOMING Best grooming tool for getting rid of mud and dirt Best tool for grooming a shredding (Icelandic) horse You can unhook the handle and use both hands like a traditional sweat scraper. There are several variations of this tool. I prefer the one that has TWO parallel blades with comb/teeth on one side, smooth on the other. That way you can use the comb side for getting rid of mud & groom a shredding horse OR use the smooth side as a normal sweat scraper. I have yet to find it in Sweden though - so look for it when you're abroad or order it via Internet from just about any of the post order sites. BEEING SEEN IN THE DARK
There are several good items available these days that can be used for visual safety.
When out riding on dark roads you really should consider being seen from ALL FOUR directions!
It's a cheap life insurance for you and your horse!
The best detection you'll get from moving items, light sources and reflective items placed close to the ground.
A - Horse leg bands
Will create constantly moving bands of reflective light. Needs to be kept clean to reflect light effectivly & not to irritate the horse's skin. Visible from all directions!
B - Tail band
Will also create a constantly moving band of reflective light. Especially valuable for detection from the rear.
Make sure the band is attached properly! (I find a couple of thin strips of Reflexite strips attached to a few strands of hair with a clip is the best and cheapest solution).
C - Stirrup reflex
Gives good detection from the sides, front and rear. Easy to make yourself- or buy a pair with elastic or velcro fastening cheap at the nearest equestrian shop. Put them on and let them stay on during the dark season!
D - Rein bands
Gives good detection from the sides. The sort I like is the one that is made like a tunnel for the rein that you close with velcro. Put them on and let them stay on during the dark season!
E - Neck band
Good detection from the sides and from the front - easy to make yourself.
F - Leg light
Like all light sources, this will give great detection from the sides, front and rear. Special lights available that gives yellow light forward, orange light to the sides and red light to the rear.
It will also give a guiding light for you and your horse.
G - Head light
The best way to see where you're going! Will not shine directly in the eyes of your horse like the leg light (F) above.
Comes in all kinds of models - I've been using a real cheap one for several years now and it works just fine. No matter how dark or snowy, I will still be able to go riding in the evening.
H - Reflective tabard
Gives good detection from front and rear. Easy to bring along just in case your ride will take a little longer than planned.
Make sure to get one that is easy to put on also when you have your helmet on!
These days you can also find tabards or harnesses that are equipped with blinking LED's. They cost a bit more but you will be detected from a much longer distance.
PREVENT RUG RUBBINGS I found this tip in the Swedish bi-weekly paper "Ridsport".
To prevent shoulder rubbings you can buy a Fleece/fur fabric sleeve of the type used under a harness, with velcro straps. Attach the sleeve in the front breast straps of the rug - as described in the picture below. The sleeve will keep the rug off the body of the horse and thus preventing rubbings. It will also prevent the rug from sliding back and rubbing the wither. Could be worth trying!
PRACTICAL RUGS FLEECE
For those of you that yet haven't discovered just how good a fleece rug is to wick sweat and moisture of your horse - you do not know what you have been missing.
The best type of fleece rug that I've come across is the type that has a high cut neck. It will keep the rug well in place and wick the moisture of the neck in a very good way.
The make I've tried and liked is the COMBI COOLER rug found att Lillhästen i Stav made by TibHorse.
WINTER
For a winter turnout rug I can really recommend one that has a high cut neck.
It will help the rug saty in place, prevent rain & snow from soaking the horse's neck and it will really help a horse with a clipped coat stay warm and cosy.
The make I've tried & liked is the RAMBO Wug from Horseware.
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