PREQUESTRIAN

It is necessary when buying and using your outdoor rugs to bear the following points in mind.

Fit is all-important and Rugs are usually sized in 3" increments. The measurement refers to the centre of the chest of the horse, along the body to the rear of the quarters where you expect the rug to finish. The diagram above highlights this.

As horses of any given size vary so much in girth and build, it is essential to take these measurements before purchasing your rug.  A rug will not stay in place unless it fits properly. A badly fitted rug will slip and be strained to breaking point.

Horses come in a variety of shapes and sizes. If a horse is exceptionally broad in the back it may be necessary to buy the next size up in relation to its height. Alternatively, it may be necessary to look at several different styles.

When trying a rug on the horse, protect it by fitting it over a summer sheet or something similar so that you can return it to Prequestrian, if required, in a clean and unused condition. It is essential that a rug should fit well on the withers and shoulders so that the horse can move freely underneath the fabric without the rug slipping back. If this happens, the rug is put under strain and can cause sore areas.

Once you have ascertained that the rug fits well around the neck, pull the rug into position along the horse's back so that the coat lies flat. With rugs using leg straps take the left leg strap, pass between the hind legs and fasten it on the left-hand side. Then take the right leg strap, pass it between the hind legs and through the loop made by the first strap and fasten to the right hand side. Adjust the leg straps equally until there is room for the width of one hand (4-5") between the leg straps and the horse's thigh. This is to allow freedom of movement. The leg straps are linked to prevent rubbing and act with each other to pull the rug into place. When the horse is grazing, the leg straps should be close to its thighs to keep the rug in position. If you fit the rug as we have described here, it will displace very little through movement and rolling. If the leg straps are too loose, the rug will slip.

When fitting a rug with cross surcingles care should be taken to ensure that the straps of the surcingles cross in the centre of the horse's belly, well forward of the horse's stifle, i.e so that the crossed straps are on the roundest part of his body. Again, there should be a hand's breadth between the straps and the horse.

Buying, and Trying, a rug

Prequestrian is more than happy to assist and help wherever we can in helping you choose the right size, and style of rug for you and your horse.

We are only ever a phone call, or email, away and our team of trained knowledgeable staff are here to help answer your questions.

Please feel free to seek and use this advice whenever you are unsure and not fully committed to your decision as to which rug and size of rug you require.

Buying the wrong rug, can be an expensive exercise. We are here to help you avoid unnecessary problems later.

When contemplating a new rug, and considering buying from Prequestrian, please note the following:

All our rugs are brand new and will be supplied to you in the same way that the manufacturers supply them direct to us. All rugs will be checked by us, prior to shipment, for manufacturing defects, thus avoiding the awkward situation for both us and you, of questions over quality of workmanship. The last thing we want is for you to be dissatisfied with your purchase.

We will happily exchange rugs that are not suitable, but can only do so, if the rugs are returned to us in the condition that they were supplied in, free from soiling, dirt, tears and marks, and in a condition fit for resale complete with all tags in place, and bags that the rugs may have been supplied in. If you need to return a rug, you may do so, by first contacting us, and obtaining a Returns Authorisation number in line with our general returns policy (see our main shop policy pages for full details)

Due to the nature of our business in supplying Equestrian products at discounted prices, we will not be able to cover the costs of the return postage and packing. This must be paid by you, both to us, and for us to supply the replacement rug. 

At Prequestrian, we take great pride in our levels of customer service, as you will see from our feedback pages. We look forward to being able to prove to you, that you can shop with us, with confidence.