I am doing my stage 1 in december and have received conflicting advice on how to do up a rug. I have always done it up fdom front to back and undone it from back to front but some books say to do up the middle straps first. Anyone got any advice?

Nikki

yep i was taught front to back, and then read middle first! nvq instructor prefers front to back but told me to do middle first in exam, and new instructor is ademant that front to back is correct! confusing! i have however since read in one textbook that either can be correct depending on situation, so as long as you can justify it, either. i passed mine doing middle first though!

Hi ,
I usually fit rugs from the front to the back , and take them off the opposite way.
For the exams you can do either - but you must be able to say why you fit and remove the rugs the way you do.
I prefer to fit from the front so that you are sure the rug is far enough forward before you do up the straps and it is easier to get a good fit. If you fit starting from the middle and the rug is too far back , you have to undo the straps again to reposition the rug before fastening the front straps. Whichever method you use , always ensure you do it safely - e.g. do not leave a horse ( to answer the telephone or something ) with straps left undone and dangling.

Hope this makes sense !!

Jonathan,
http://www.equestre.co.uk/