Rugging a Shetland ???

happyhacker101

happyhacker101

Active Member
Mar 19, 2007
6,613
5
38
scotland
Does anyone on NR rug their Shetland ponies?. I know that they don't really need to be rugged and can live out 24/7 but there does seem to be more people pampering them now!!. Only asking cos thinking about using a LW in winter just to keep him clean and dry (could I be turning into a "pony Pamperer")......
 
Some where my mum works get rugged, but bearing in mind they are about 40years old! She got one of her (unrugged) Shetlands in a while ago in the pouring rain, and when she buried her finger into her coat she was completely dry underneath - they really don't need rugs if they are healthy, even at 36! :)
 
We have 4 shetlands at my old yard, the two oldies are rugged, one of the shetlands is on part loan so his loaners wrap him up in cotton wool and rug him, the last one is young and spritely so nekkid all year round :D Fat as house is dear Choccy :D
 
Shetlands have a two layer coat in winter, warm underneath, waterproof on top so you definately DONT need to rug them. My shetland foal will be left unrugged in winter, theyre designed to be able to withstand bad weather conditions:p
 
I might rug ours, simply to get a better summer coat earlier, if we go to a show in May we are still in full winter woolies, or I might clip them out again in the new year, but we still had leg marks at the RHS.

Otherwise you are doing a young, fit Shetland in Mainland UK no favours by rugging him, he'll get far too hot.
 
Mine are not rugged but I am considering rugging Polo (22) this year as he was shivering when we got caught in a downpour a few weeks ago (I am talking a REAL Shetland downpour and out on the road where there is no shelter at all). Would never consider in ordinary circumstances rugging a healthy young Shetland. You see them on the mainland rugged and practically steaming under their rug.
 
My 4 are always un rugged my foal was out all winter and grew a fab coat he was never cold. The rugs do look so cute I have been tempted but they would never forgive me for making them look silly.

Louise
 
Esther.D Shilling, the old man we had was rugged in winter, he was 24, he didn't mind, but, like Ollopy Backwards, he did start to feel the real winter weather as he got older, but was very happy in a high neck rung, not the full neck job, but the ones with the big sweep in them.

Did tend towards looking like a parambulating sofa on occasion, but he didn't mind.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
newrider.com
Top Bottom