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To
buy a rug |
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...
with good starting point, it's very easy. |
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1/
Some things to consider when choosing ...
2/ How to find the right size?
3/ The cut
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1/Some
things to consider when choosing ...
It is best to choose a rug well adapted to both temperature and living conditions of your horse. An un-clipped horse does not need as much protection as a clipped horse. The temperature inside the box stall and its exposure to wind will also determine your choice. |
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1. Three main different uses
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a)
Day rugs:
Used during midseason, under a rug in cold weather, or
during the day in the winter.
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b)
Stable rugs:
Used in stables, they are not always waterproof.
They are frequently breathable so the horse does not
sweat. They are generally completely padded. Stable rug. |
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c)
Turnout rugs:
Waterproof by definition, they are only padded on the
2/3 of the height, and the lower part is nylon
lined. |
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EQUI-THÈME
"Polar" summer street
réf : 400 658 |
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EQUI-THÈME "Colorado" Stable rug
réf : 400 810 |
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EQUI-THÈME
"Aircool"
turnout rug
réf : 400 821 |
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2. The outer fabric
In 210 to 1800 denier polyester, polypropylene
or nylon. The outer fabric determines solidity (more or less
thick), usage (waterproof or not ?, breathable or not ?), and
its quality also helps against the cold.
3. Waterproof and breathable
Basically, a rug is waterproof and breathable depending on
the materials used. Nylon, polyester and polypropylene are
naturally slightly breathable.
Polyester has a certain natural
impermeability.
The special coating on the different materials
actually determines if the rug is waterproof and/or breathable.
The simple canvas or nylon stable blankets are naturally breathable
but not waterproof. The polypropylene used for the “Colorado” range
is naturally breatheable but not waterproof.
The special coating
applied on “Aircool” rugs reinforce both impermeability
and breathability of the 600 or 1800 deniers rip-stop polyester
fabric.
4. The padding
Generally, rugs are padded with polyester fibres weighing between
200g and 400g per sqm. The padding is only one part of the
protection against the cold: the shape and especially the quality
of the outer fabric are the other important factors.
5. The lining
The ideal is T/C (polycotton, generally 75 % polyester and
25 % cotton). A good polycotton is easier to wash, stronger
and costs the same as a good pre-shrunk cotton but... lets
more sweat out. Therefore it is clearly preferable to cotton.
6. Adversity
The most "tearproof" materials can tear
bafflingly fast: sharp angles, nails, screws, horse's teeth
are very damaging to the longevity of a rug. The waterproof
and breathable properties of high end rugs will be jeopardized
if they are washed too hot and the lower end rugs' will
shrink or break at the seams. Some horses actually enjoy shredding
their rugs in many different ways: no cure has yet been found
to counter their mischief.
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top of the page |
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How
to find the size that will fit your horse? |
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All rugs do not fit all horses. The design changes in the rug's
shapes around the neck, depending on model, make the size
of your horse's back irrelevant when choosing a rug. To
avoid mistakes in your purchase, you must know the total
length of your horse, from the middle of the chest to the
back of the hind legs. This measurement does not change
depending on model.
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top of the page
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The
cut |
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From the “American” type cut rugs to the EQUI-THÈME “Highneck” paddock
rugs, there is a difference of about 50 cm regarding the back's
length (if you compare 2 rugs of a same size 6’3”/190
cm). The first one covers 127 cm of the horse's back, and the
second one covers 190 cm, with added protection on the withers
and base of neck. Neither of them measures the theoretical
145 cm of an old style rug. The back sizes 135, 145, 155 cm
have been used for years, (since the general shape of rugs
had not been improved). However, we cannot rely on these sizes
any longer. Today only the dimension from middle of the chest
to the back of hind legs has not changed, and thus has to be
considered as the only reliable basis.
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Only
one way to be sure !
Measure from the middle of chest
to the back of hind leg to find the right
dimension (in centimetres)
which will fit your pony or horse. |
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Withers
height |
Total
length
in cm |
Total length
in feet
and inches |
Very
theoretical back size in view of the rug's shape
(see recommendations above) |
| 0m70
to 0m80 |
123 |
4'0" |
80 |
| 0m80
to 1m00 |
130
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4'3" |
95 |
| 1m00
to 1m10 |
145
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4'9'' |
105 |
| 1m10
to 1m20 |
153 |
5'0'' |
110 |
| 1m20
to 1m30 |
160 |
5'3'' |
115 |
| 1m35
to 1m50 |
175 |
5'9'' |
125 |
| 1m50
to 1m60 |
183 |
6'0'' |
135 |
| 1m60
to 1m70 |
190 |
6'3'' |
145 |
| 1m70
to 1m75 |
198 |
6'6'' |
150 |
| 1m75
to 1m80 |
206 |
6'9" |
155 |
| over
1m80 |
215 |
7’0” |
165 |
| 223 |
7’3” |
170 |
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