How to Measure Horse Rugs
Horse rugs help to provide horses with warmth and protection. For the benefit of the horse and it’s safely it is important that you get the correct measurements so that the rug or blanket will fit the horse comfortably while wearing the rug.
Materials Needed:
- Soft tape measure
- Approach your horse holding tape measure only when it is relaxed and standing in a natural position. A good relaxed position for the horse is generally when it is eating in the stall.
- Take the tape measure in your left hand and stand near the front shoulder of the horse. Place the end of the tape measure directly under the horse's neck, in the center of his chest.
- Extend the tape measure all the way across the horse's side as far as you can reach. Note the measurement in inches. Reposition the end of the tape measure at the point where the previous measurement ended.
- Extend the tape measure, once again to complete the measurement along the horse's side. You should be able to extend it long enough until right before you reach its tail. Make a note of the measurement about 10 to 12 inches right below place where the top of the tails starts.
- Obtain the correct size of your horse's blanket by adding these two measurements together. Blanket sizes generally come in 2-inch increments that range anywhere between 64 to 84 inches depending if you have a pony or a horse. If your measurement falls on an uneven size, such as 75, purchase a size 76 instead of a size 74. This will ensure that you make a big enough size blanket for the horse and it can always be taken in if needed.