A sturdy horse rug happens to a horse’s best companion. There are different types and kinds of horse rugs available in the market. The moment you enter into a tack shop, you’ll come across countless horse rugs of various hues and sizes. In all fairness, no two rugs are the same. Experienced horse owners would know that different horses have different requirements. Therefore, the type of rug required by each horse would be different.
Different kinds of rugs available are:
- Cooler Rugs
- Turnout Rugs
- Fleece rugs
- Stable Rugs
- Fly Rugs
- Sweet itch rugs
- Summer sheets
So, it can be said that there is certainly not a dearth of options. The deeper your pockets are, the better the rug is expected to be, but finding a rug isn’t the easiest of tasks. There are riders who end up buying cheaper rugs just for the sake of saving a few bucks. Quite frankly, going for the cheapest option is never a great idea. More often than not, buying a cheap rug can backfire.
Here’s why buying a cheap rug is not always a great idea
Horse rugs are a long-term investment. Going for a cheap rug can cost you a lot of money in the foreseeable future. Nobody wants to spend frequently on a horse rug. Horse rugs cost a good amount of money. Moreover, you want your rug to go the distance, don’t you? In case you happen to be a first-time buyer, it is always advisable to get in touch with some of the experience horse riders and farm owners. They’ll be able to clear all of your doubts. You can find a host of horse rugs for sale in tack shops. You just need to be a bit patient.
If you’re finding it hard to step out of the house, then search for an equestrian shop online and you will be able to find a wide variety of rugs under your budget. However, it is advisable to buy from portals that allow hassle-free returns.
Here are a few tips that will help you buy the ideal rug for your equine companion
- A tough outer shell is a must
Buying a rug having a tough outer shell is always a great idea. A durable horse rug doesn’t only protect your equine friend against cold gusts of wind. It should also protect your horse from the various hazards that it might come across while galloping in the vast green expanses such as barbed wires, bushes, trees, etc.
- The Denier rating needs to be high
Horse rugs come in various deniers. These are denoted using a D rating. The unit is used to measure the thickness of the fiber. Fibers with an increased denier count are thick. Go for thicker fibers if you want the rug to withstand the rigors and vigours of everyday use. To put things simply, a rug measuring 600D will have 600 threads to each yarn.
- Ripstop outers would be great
It helps ensure the ideal strength-to-weight ratio. Furthermore, it also ensures that minor damages don’t spread easily. These rugs come with a specially-designed reinforcing technique. Tears and rips are taken care of through this technique.
- The size and the fit
This one’s quite obvious. The veterans would already be knowing this. Those buying horse tack for the first time need to be a bit careful. Different horses have different sizes. Rugs used by a pony would be completely different from those used by a stallion. It is advisable to take your horse along whenever you go out to buy tack.
That’s pretty much it. Happy shopping, folks!
