Horses and rugs

[GivingTheGameAway]

So we are relatively new to sharing a pony for my daughter and we want to buy a rug for her pony. One that she will wear out in the field and she is out all year round, she’s quite a hardy pony but also quite old now. I have no idea where to start. Can anyone help please? It’s for autumn and winter. Thank you.

If you’re sharing the pony rather than fully loaning them I’d probably speak to the owner first to see what rugs she already has, what she might need, or even if they’re happy for her to be rugged at all. Plenty of hardy types are fine unrugged year round, even when older so definitely worth double checking before buying anything, it’s a lovely gesture though.

You'd be better off asking mumsnet to move this to the tack room.
Age isn't necessarily a precursor to needing a rug. Outside field shelter, Breed, amount of work and if the pony will be clipped all play a factor in needing a rug.

The only rugs my native ponies really use are rain sheets. For when it’s driving rain.

I’ll also add that with hardy native types that put weight on just by looking at anything green autumn/winter time can be very useful management wise in aiding them to lose some weight before the spring grass comes back around.

So please do speak to the owners first.

If it’s a case of wanting a dry, mud free pony to ride on your days then a good quality lightweight rug could be useful.

Is she clipped? If not, a lightweight turnout with a detachable neck would probably suit. If so, you'll probably need more than one weight.

Rain sheets are useless. They aren't breathable and they squash the hair down meaning horses can be cold underneath. Speak to the owner 100% as it is up to them ultimately but i go for a 50g over a rainsheet any day

I had full neck rugs for my old boy as he started to feel the cold.

Once you use rugs though you have to keep it up. So I'd speak with the owner and see what she says.

Practically, you'd also need somewhere to hang one up to dry while you put another one on. So I'd suggest if you do get rugs that you need at least two. I'd get a full neck one and one with a detachable neck. That give you a few options if it's not that cold.