Check for rips and frays

Always check your rug before using it. This is especially important if you have a new rug, as they can sometimes have small holes or tears that weren’t visible in the store. The first thing to look at is the straps around the neck and belly: do they look frayed? If so, it’s time to replace them. Broken fittings are another common issue with horse rugs, so make sure all of these are intact and well attached to the body of your horse rug. Finally, check for any holes or tears in areas where pressure might be applied—this includes seams between sections of fabric (such as along the spine) and at strap attachments points (especially if your horse has thick manes).

If you notice anything wrong on your horse rug, don’t use it until you’ve fixed it!

A rug should never cover the horse’s eyes or touch its ears.

• A rug should never cover the horse’s eyes or touch its ears.
• This is for the horse’s own safety. Rigging that restricts vision or hearing is dangerous.
• Do not buy a rug that does not fit your horse properly, either; it should be big enough to allow room for growth, while fitting snugly around the neck and chest.

The upper strap should be a finger’s width from the point of shoulder.

• The upper strap should be a finger’s width from the point of shoulder. The “point of shoulder” is the bit of the horse that sticks out the most, right above his withers.
• Some horses have a very obvious point of shoulder, while others look more like they’re wearing an old t-shirt with a big collar around their necks. Either way, you want to make sure that you adjust your straps so that they don’t squeeze too tight (which could cause rubbing or discomfort) or hang loose (which could allow rainwater or snowmelt to get stuck and freeze).

Shoulder gussets

Shoulder gussets are a part of a horse rug that is unique to the piece. Shoulder gussets make the horse rug wrap around your horse’s chest and shoulders more snugly, preventing wind chill and moisture from getting past their natural protection. They also help keep the blanket in place without putting pressure on their withers or hindquarters as some other brands do by using elastic straps instead of shoulder gussets.

In addition to these features, this particular brand offers an extra-long tail guard that can be used as an additional layer of protection from cold air or rain in winter weather conditions. It’s also washable so you can use it year-round without worrying about damaging its durability!

Depth of the rug

The depth of the rug should fit your horse’s body shape. It should never sit on the withers and should not come up under their belly. This may sound obvious, but as I have seen it happen many times, it is worth noting.

How to measure your horse for a rug

When measuring your horse for a rug, it’s important to get an accurate measurement. It’s also important not to let them see you taking their measurements because they will freak out and run away!

• Stand in front of the horse and make sure they are standing comfortably—not too far back or too close. Hold up your arms so that the tape measure is level with them.
• Start at the top of their head and measure all along their body until you reach where you started at their head again (don’t forget about their tail!). Write down this number down on a piece of paper for future reference!

Everyone loves when their horse looks, feels and is comfortable.

Everyone loves when their horse looks, feels and is comfortable. There are several things to consider when purchasing a rug that will keep your horse happy:

• Make sure the rug does not have any rips or frays. An untied piece of rope can rub your horse’s skin, so look for a secure closure.
• A rug should never cover the horse’s eyes or touch its ears. The upper strap should be a finger’s width from the point of shoulder – this allows room for movement without being uncomfortable for your equine friend!
• If you’re shopping for a winter rug, make sure it has both shoulder gussets and tail flap—this will help keep ice from forming on these areas before it reaches rest of body which could lead to frostbite if left unchecked! Also important to note is whether depth of material (fleece thickness) matches type/climate where you live; don’t forget about keeping things cozy while protecting against wind chill too!