Weatherbeeta Horse Rugs - Find the right rug size for your horses

Planning to buy a new Weatherbeeta rug for your horse? Great idea. Here is how to make sure it fits your horse perfectly. Follow the guide to measuring your horse and check the measurements against the Weatherbeeta rug size guide - and have a peek at the info on how to fit the rug to your horse when it arrives, and how to care for it to ensure longevity!

How to measure your horses for a Weatherbeeta Rug

How to Fit your new Weatherbeeta Horse Rug perfectly

1. First, lay your Weatherbeeta rug over your horse's back. If your horse has never worn a rug before you may need someone to help hold them while you make adjustments.

2. Once you have ascertained that the rug fits well around the neck, slide the rug into position along your horse's back so that the coat lies flat. If the seam between the tail flap and the rug sit below the top of the tail, the rug may be too big. 

3. With rugs that feature leg straps, take the left leg strap, pass between the hind legs and fasten it on the left hand side:

1. Take the right leg strap, pass it between the hind legs and through the loop made by the left strap and fasten to the right hand side.
2. The leg straps are links to prevent rubbing and act with each other to pull the rug into place. If you fit the rug well, it will displace very little through movement and rolling. If the leg straps are too loose, the rug will slip.
3. Adjust the leg straps equally until there is room for the width of one hand (4-5") between the leg straps and the horse's thigh. This is to allow freedom of movement

4. Buckle the chest straps. It is essential that a rug should fit well on the withers and shoulders so that your horse can move freely underneath the fabric without the rug slipping back. Adjust the buckles and ensure you can still slide your hand down the neck of the rug.

5. When fitting a rug with cross surcingles care should be taken to ensure that the straps of the surcingle cross in the centre of the horse's belly - well forward of the horse's stifle. Again, there should be a hand's breadth between the straps and the horse's body

How to care for your Weatherbeeta horse rugs

To care for Weatherbeeta horse rugs, follow these steps:

• Remove excess dirt, mud and hair from your horse rug
• Remove all detergent built up from your detergent dispenser
• Place your rug in a mesh wash bag to contain all the straps and buckles and protect them
• Machine wash your rug on a gentle delicate cycle using mild soap or a rug cleaning wash and always follow the manufacturer's washing instructions.
• Do not use detergents or fabric conditioners as you risk compromising your WeatherBeeta unique waterproof and breathable coating
• For best results, re-proof your rug to add durable water repellency and revitalise breathability. Use a rug reproofer and always follow the manufacturer's proofing instructions.
• Line dry your WeatherBeeta rug - do not tumble dry.

All set? Shop Weatherbeeta rugs here.