TO Rugs for large-chested pony

[EnduranceAli]

Frayne is only 12.2hh, but has to wear a 5'6" TO rug and even then needs a chest expander:eek: She has got rubbed on her chest now, as they just don't fit around the front very well. She is only out in the day now, so that will help - and I am going to get an anti-rub vest to stop it getting worse - but, I would still like to find some rugs that fit her properly. Any suggestions?

Ali xx

[No_Angel]

I find masta rugs are quite big around the chest,shays is a little short on his back and the neck is quite large, hes usually in a 6ft, and his masta is a 6 foot. My big cob has a zing rug, hes got a 6ft6 and it fits him really nicely and he usually has to have a chest extender.

[raggydoll]

second vote for masta rugs, Bim had same trouble and this one has rubbed far far less. She is out 24/7 in it so i expect a little bit of rubbing.

[k8schmutz]

Another vote for masta. Avoid Shires though

[becs]

We found Fal rugs great for our curvy welshie (he's only 13.2hh but takes a 6 foot!).

[Exmoorlover]

Hiya,

My Exmoor mare is the same size as frayne and wears a 5'6 rug to. I find the Masta's are a good fit on her. I splashed out on a Horseware rambo 'wug' for her with the clips on the chest instead of the usual straps and find it rather snug on her! so wouldn't go for one of those styles again. Am also considering a Weatherbetta Landa at the mo, but not sure of the fit of these.

[ponylover88]

...

[coss]

Another vote for masta. Avoid Shires though

Hiya,

My Exmoor mare is the same size as frayne and wears a 5'6 rug to. I find the Masta's are a good fit on her. I splashed out on a Horseware rambo 'wug' for her with the clips on the chest instead of the usual straps and find it rather snug on her! so wouldn't go for one of those styles again. Am also considering a Weatherbetta Landa at the mo, but not sure of the fit of these.

Masta was a very bad fit on my HW mare, rubbed her shoulders raw, so shes back in her shires! Certainly not a perfect fit by any stretch, but i can have the shires without a chest expander, the masta was certainly too narrow.

FALs are great, i love FALs.

I have a Weatherbeeta Orican on Gemma, my conny x, whos rather a chunky lass. No rubs, and fits her perfectly. From now on, im not going to buy anything other than Weatherbeeta for her. Planning on throwing the rug over my HW to see how it fits her (although its two sizes too small, it'll give a rough idea).
Gem also has Rambos, which i got given (tis great, the majority of Gems stuff i didnt buy!) which fit her well too. Once ive got that washed, it'll go back on her for the nicer weather (but not hot as its a MW).

I have the origainal weather beeta landa (without the freestyle gusset, just a normal one) and it fits my horses really well. they aren't the widest of horses but it had plenty of room. the new weather beeta rugs with the freestyle i have found have NO room on the shoulder, they rubbed harry's shoulders until i put a vest on for pretection.
I have found the masta's fit really well except my mum put the rain sheet in the washing machine and it shrunk a bit the first time. we have a really thick masta which hasn't shrunk but it hasn't been machine washed, it does fit so well though and has plenty of room for adjustment.
I have a shires typhoon which has lots of room in the shoulder.
I have a slumber down as do some of my friends and we haven't had any problems even when double rugging under it, it doesn't have any adjustment at the front though so if it doesn't fit there isn't much you can do.
I also think i have an obsession with rugs :p:o

[notpoodle]

sounds familiar :D my exmoor is the same!

i also found anything horseware/rambo way too tight for her :rolleyes:

the shires turnout rug we have fits nicely though, so does the whetherbeeta fleece. hope that helps!

Julia
x

[EnduranceAli]

Well, Frayne went out in her Masta Zing (which really doesn't fit her very well at all) today and came in with it soaking wet, covered in mud and torn on the back (she has never gone near the barbed wire before - we are now going to put electric tape around the whole paddock) :rolleyes: Her other rug (a Rhinegold, which fits a lot better but does still rub at the front a bit) is still wet around the edges from 2 days ago! So - I think she will go out with a rug again - it is very mild here and it was only to save me some mud-scraping :D

Will note down all your suggestions and lets hope that next winter I will be able to find a rug to suit her.

Thanks.

Ali xx

[Jessey]

I have mark Todd rugs, they have loads of adjustment and will fit wither my anglo arab or the same rug can be put onto my very broard chested quarter horse.
I also use a Bossy Bib to help stop rubbing, they are great :D much better than any of the lycra/fleece ones I have tried.

[Bebe]

I'll second the vote for Mark Todd rugs. I really struggle to get rugs roomy enough in the chest for my mare but her l/w Mark Todd is actually fastened on one of the smaller settings. I like the double chest ring & buckle adjustment, gives you loads of room.

The key for fitting my mare is to have loads of adjustment at the chest fastenings and shoulder pleats. Kingshead & Mark Todd fit her best. Rambo/Rhino are ok if I get the normal cut, not high neck, and buy a size larger than she measures. I don't bother with other rugs, it's not worth the aggravation based on past experience.