Turn-out rugs

[cadeby]

This is new territory for me, because I have never rugged any of my Dales since we moved to France 7 years ago, so I am totally out of touch with what's good and what's not

Elsie May (Martin's weanling coloured filly arrives mid November). She was bred on Bodmin Moor so should hopefully be quite hardy, but she has a big dose of wimpy Trakhener blood in her, plus loads of white bits so I think it will be best to rug her over the winter.

Do you think a medium weight rug would suffice? We tend to get average temperatures 5 degrees higher than the UK.

Any recommendations re. makes please and the best place to shop online.
I don't want to spend more than about £50-£70 if possible, because she's going to grow-out of the rug very rapidly.

Thanks.
Helen x

[Anna]

I'm so into wimpy coloured foal rugs at the moment!!!

A MW would suffice for the majority of winter, only in the coldest weather would i want to pop another layer underneath (like when the snow is on the ground) for Morris minor. However I've been rugging up for foal shows so he hasn't much natural winter coat so your filly will probably be just fine in just a MW.

I spent ages scouring cheap rugs for him (as like you say they will grow out) and ended up with the Requisite Tokyo stable rug from Robinsons Equestrian (its the own brand) for about £13 which is a bit queer around the neck but a real lovely rug for the money (although it was on sale so not sure if they have any stock left?)

and this Mark Todd Turnout rug

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mark-Todd-Pony-Medium-Combo-Turnout-Rug-NEW-/160656250204?pt=UK_Horse_Wear_Equipment&var=&hash=item6b1c130229

I got mine off Ebay from Equiflair but i think thats about £2 cheaper. To be honest, its a superb rug and for the price I don't think can be bettered. Morris so cosy in his and he tucks his ears in the hood!

[Minnie]

It might be worth looking on Derbyhouse, their sales are really good and they tend to have loads of pony rugs on sale. I wouldn't pay full price for their own brand rugs again; the turnouts are overpriced for their quality but their sale prices are good so I wouldn't mind picking them up when they're on sale. I've had quite a few derbyhouse rugs and I've found their turnout sizes come up a bit small but their fleeces and sheets tend to be about right. When it's sale prices it's not as bad when they trash them and/or grow out of them.

In general I prefer Weatherbeeta rugs but I also really rate the bucas and mark todd rugs. My colt is wearing his bucas rug at the minute and I'm going to be gutted when he grows out of it! His is the smartex bucas rug. I've got to admit I love rugs and have had/have far too many

[jap]

I hate bucas rugs after having a heated discussion with the managing director once.
I have all weatherbetas for those of mine that are rugged[ not many] I find they sit well on a dales neck.Dont know about coloured fine things though

[lyndales]

www.geetac are good Helen. I have some (for the wimpier members of the herd) if you want an inspection
Lynda

[cadeby]

Thanks ladies, I'll look at all of those suggestions.
Before I posted I was leaning towards the Weatherbeeta Landa MW, but can't decide if it's better to have a detachable rather than fixed neck cover?

This is quite good fun. I think I've found a girlie shopping streak! I'm also strangely attracted to the PINK ones :-)

[heathera]

Go for a detachable neck. My lot need MWs when they have chaser clips in the depths of winter but, even then, if I out a neck cover on they itch like mad and over heat.

I've seen manes fall out completely within 2-3 days in these circumstances, although if hogging that might not be a bad thing.

[AliandDolly]

I have dolly in a medium weight most of the winter, and when its really cold she gets her heavier medium weight on, Her heavier one is a wetherbeeta one and fitted her perfectly last year!!

alix

[cadeby]

Decision made. I'm going with the Geetac Autumn/Spring standard neck rug. I like that it's made out of 1200 denier fabric (at a 600 denier price) plus it's nice and deep and has reflective strips so I can find the wee, wild, moorland beastie in the dark

[The Moo]

For those that are using the MW ones, are your ponies clipped out?

Moo's coat is too thick at the moment with the mild weather but I don't want to take it all off and not put the right weight back on. Last year when it was -5 for a couple of weeks she only had a 100g on over her own coat and she was toasty warm.

She's 17yrs and has a field shelter to use but I really want to keep dry and comfortable, not overheated and sweaty nor chilly and tense.

[sck1]

I have just bought an autumn/spring combo from Geetac and am very impressed with the quality for the price of it.