Keeping My Horses Warm with Turnout Rugs from Horseware Ireland
The handsome Friesians and Fell pony here at my Bedford, New York farm are all ready for winter.
My horses spend most of their time outside in their paddocks - running, rolling, and grazing. Now that colder weather has arrived here in the Northeast, it’s important that they all have well-fitted turnout blankets to keep them warm and dry. My stable manager, Helen Peparo, and I use the Rhino® Hexstop Plus Turnout Rugs from Horseware Ireland, a company based in Dundalk that focuses on making breathable equine covers that don’t leak, rip, or slip. I've been using products from Horseware Ireland for years and am so please with how they fit and protect the horses from the cold.
Here are some photos and a short video, enjoy.
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- Recently, we replaced the horses’ older turnout rugs for these Rhino® Hexstop Plus with Vari-Layer Turnout Rugs from Horseware Ireland. The company was founded in 1985 and has remained a leading manufacturer of clothes for horses, riders, and pets ever since.
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- These turnout blankets are very lightweight and are easy to fold and keep in front of each horse’s stall.
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- Before the cold weather sets in and while temperatures remain above 35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, the horses are fine without any blankets or rugs. What they enjoy most is being outdoors where they are free to exercise and graze.
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- Once overnight temperatures dip into the low 30s, I prefer to dress all the Friesians and my Fell pony in appropriate and warm turnout rugs. These Rhino® Hexstop Plus with Vari-Layer Turnout rugs are cut from the strongest and most durable turnout material on the market – ballistic nylon. And, they come in this nice gray color. Here’s Helen putting one of the rugs on Bond.
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- These rugs come in a variety of sizes and each of the horses in my stable is measured for precise fitting.
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- The Rhino® Hexstop Plus Turnout with Vari-Layer technology is also completely waterproof and very breathable and has an anti-static and anti-bacterial lining.
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- In the rear, the rug has a strap that, along with properly positioned darts, allow for a secure fit without the use of leg straps.
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- And these rugs come with wide back tail flaps for more protection.
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- Helen secures the rug underneath, where there are three cross surcingles. These adjustable straps keep the cover in place.
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- Here are all three straps secured, giving the horse ample underside coverage with a full range of motion.
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- The extra strong stitching all around the blanket gives it a nice finished look.
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- These blankets are outfitted with good leg room for smooth, easy walking. Here’s Bond showing off his new turnout rug.
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- In the front, every rug comes with nickel-plated bolt snap hooks – all the closures are durable and easy to use. The sure-fit neck design V-front closure gives the horse freedom of movement, especially when lowering its head to graze.
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- The blanket includes reflective strips in the front and back, so they’re easy to see in their paddocks during night checks.
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- And, these rugs come with an optional, easy-to-remove hood for neck coverage.
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- The velcro closures are extremely strong and keep the hood in place.
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- Helen tries it on for size. Rinze, the patriach of my stable, doesn’t seem to mind at all.
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- These rugs are so easy to drape over the horse and secure. It takes less than 15-minutes to get the equines ready to go out into their paddock.
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- The hood attaches from the front and the sides to prevent any slipping.
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- On this day, the horses didn’t need hoods. Although it is quite rainy, the blankets keep them all very dry and warm.
And here's a brief video showing how comfortable the horses are with their rugs - they can run and play in them without any restrictions.
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