Hi i wanted to get my new mare a light weight rug just in case she dose not cope with the winter that well as when i got here 4 months ago she was very under weight with a poor dull coat and she is not getting her winter coat through that well but i have never had to rug before as i only have natives which my other guys have there winter wollys on already. there are so many rugs out there i don't now where to start she is a 14.2 welsh sec d just getting back to weight but under mussled don't want it to slip or rub as i only visit my ponies once a day any advice on a good fitting rug greatfully recieved thank you Ruth

I personally like the Amigo lightweight rugs as it fits mine brilliantly. Mine has not leaked or rubbed at all and was quite cheap! Im very impressed with it!!

I appreciate you must have time restraints that only let you visit your ponies once a day, but personally I am not a fan of horses or ponies being rugged 24/7. I've always thought they should have rugs off their backs for at least some time a day, to let the skin & coat breathe a bit. And so they feel the benefit of them more. So either no rug or a light-weight one during the day, and a heavier one at night.
Is there no-one who could take the rug off for you first thing or put it on at night?

I also like the Amigos but find they are a bit narrow for bigger about horses., Weatherbeeta and Rambo are both great, Rambo are a bit pricey but worth every penny especially if you can only check your horse once a day, because the third surcingle help them to self right their position if your horse rolls.

I also only check my horses once a day in the winter, due to starting work in Basingstoke at 7am. You can not leave your horse naked in the rain during the day and then rug it at night if it lives out and you certainly can not take the rug off at 7-8 am if it has been snuggly warm all night and it is blowing a gail.

I guess we all look after our horses differently. If your boy is a welsh and has not been rugged. Provided his tummy is full with hay or haylage, he will grow a nice thick coat. I do not rug my welsh, but have to with my TB's and Anglos.

It is your decission, good luck

we also only go up once a day in winter due to other commitments or not having the car so cant take the rugs off. not everyone CAN go up a couple of times a day or have people to help out. ours are in lightweight have had a few rugs but not bothered about the make cos personaly think theyre all the same.

mine has them on all day dont seem to bother them think theyd get cold if i took them off!

Mine are rugged 24/7 they are absolutely fine.

I like weatherbeeta rugs, they always fit nicely an never move.



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Thank you for your advice i am going to look into the amigo and weatherbeeta rugs as i and still hoping she wont need a rug but want one handy just in case unfortunately i am not on a yard just a field with no lights and only my ponies in it so can,t see the ponies after work durning dark evening but the only bunglow that over looks my field are great people and ring me if they see anything wrong in the day Thanks again Ruth

The weatherbeeta landa is a great lightweight rug and is very adjustable at the front so as your boy muscles up it should still fit. William wears his weatherbeetas 24/7 (in various weights depending on weather and how much he is clipped)and he has been fine in them. I always take off and re-fit my rugs when I feed in the evenings but only rush to change rugs in the morning in extreme circumstances, and I prefer to add/take off an under rug than change to a completely different rug, it is less to transport.

I also have a amigo light weight and it fits my boy really good!! I have quite afew brands of rugs and found this brand has a good fit,

I would say i am lucky as if i know the weather is going to be nice (dry) i will take it off in the morning then just put it on at night! If its a real windy day i will also leave his lightweight on as the winds gushes through our field but will take it off whilst i go up and feed him then put it back on when he goes back out. Also i think it is not good for them to have on on all day everyday! they will never grow a winter coat.

i have a welsh d and the Rambo don`t fit him very well
the weatherbeeta are good tho and he also has mark todd which i think are great .... but i wouldnt just put a lightweight on and leave it on at night, if it turns cold she wont be able to keep herself warm by fluffin up her coat coz of the rug , i would put a midweight on if she was mine, lightweights are good in the spring if its wet and warm

Horses are better naked than having a lightweight rug when it is cold for the reasons Victoria gave. If you don't want a proper middleweight then consider one of 100g ones now available.

Like this one. http://www.horseloverz.co.uk/New-Weatherbeeta-Landa-100g-Freestyle-Standard-Turnout-Rug-pr-225227.html