Signs That Your Horse’s Rug Doesn’t Fit Correctly
Are you having troubles in making your horse wear turnout rugs? Then it might indicate the ill-fitting manner of the gear that you are using. Every horse rider, at one point or another, might have observed that their horses are acting weirdly in between the right. It is sadly due to the discomfort that your pet witnesses because of the ill-fitted rug.
What is the purpose of using a rug?
Rugs are mainly used on the backside of the horses to make them feel warm and comfortable throughout the race. However, if it does not fit properly, it might create a dangerous situation in front of you. Thus, before proceeding for a ride make sure that your horse is comfortable with the rug that you have chosen from it.
Signs of an ill-fitted rug
The following are some signs that would help to detect whether or not the rug has fitted properly.
The feeling of sensitivity on the back of your horse
Before tacking up, make sure to check whether your horse experiences any kind of sensitivity on his back. Now the question is how to check that? Well, after you put the turnout rugs, pat your horse by running your hand over the area where the rug is placed. Keep doing for a couple of minutes and if he counters to your hand pressure in an ill way, then the rug is likely to be responsible for his back pain.
Reacting while wearing the rug
If you notice that your horse is upset and reacting oddly while wearing the rug, it is a clear sign that he is having some issues with it. In most of the cases, the horse would tend to bite and paw. Apart from it, it might also get anxious and agitated all of a sudden. Take some time and observe his condition and try to detect his discomfort. If you find him acting normal again after you open the rug, the problem surely lies within the rug! Also, do check, if there is any kind of ulcers or sores on your horse’s back.
Unwilling to step within the ring
Well, horses immensely love to participate in riding. Hence, if you see that he is unwilling to enter the ring, then it might be because of the pain or sore that he is feeling owing to the ill-fitted rug.
It is important to mention that the shapes of horses keep changing due to certain reasons. Thus, the rug that fits him perfectly today might not fit the same way in the future. So, you should check the rug’s fitness within a certain interval.
