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Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Shopping For Good Value Horse Rugs

By Essie Osborn


Owning horses is a wonderful privilege. Many people save for years to realize their dream of ownership. Most horses are boarded at large barns where they receive excellent care. This involves being fed at regular intervals, having their stalls cleaned daily and being turned out in the field to get some exercise. When horses are turned out in the winter time they often need one or more blankets to keep them warm and dry.

Horses need a huge amount of equipment. This begins with a basic saddle, bridle and halter. Those that show regularly will often need an entirely separate set of show tack. Riders also need well made clothing. The most minimal requirement is a well fitting helmet that conforms to all safety standards. Horses also need their own clothing and most will have a variety of horse rugs for every type of weather.

During the winter months horses grow long thick winter coats to protect themselves from the weather. It is quite amazing how effective these coats are at keeping them dry and warm. Horses can winter out in extremely low temperatures, as long as they are not sick or very old. However, horses that are being exercised or shown will need to have their winter coat removed.

For decades horse clothing was very difficult to take care of. An out door rug was heavy and practically impossible to wash. Within a matter of months the water proofing was gone and it would start to leak. Owners and their animals had no alternatives to choose from and were basically stuck with these ineffective and often uncomfortable blankets.

Most summer sheets are fairly inexpensive and it is a good idea to have at least two sheets available. One for everyday where and one for shows. They are easy to machine wash and dry fast on the line or in the sun. If the owner is in a hurry they may be able to tumble dry the sheet, but they should check the washing instructions. Anything that is 100 percent cotton may well shrink.

Winter blankets are a lot more substantial. Modern technology has really had a profound impact on horse clothing. The new line of equine clothing utilizes all the latest trends. The fabrics are water resistant and wind proof. They are also coated with a rip stop material that helps to stop annoying snags and tears.

The new line of turn out blankets are available in either shower or water proof. The shower proof are for horses that are only turned out for a few hours each day and can be brought in if the weather gets bad. However, an animal that lives out all the time will need a much higher degree of weather protection.

Rugs are now available in many different colors. Some people stick with the traditional green, navy blue or black. However, the fun and funky colors are now becoming very popular, especially with the younger riders. They love to see their horse or pony in a bright pink or purple rug.




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