Horse Blanket Sizes: How to Measure and Choose the Right Size
Choosing the correct rug size for your horse is essential. A rug that is too small restricts movement; one that is too large can rub and slip, causing injuries. Learn how to measure correctly.
How to measure your horse for a rug
- Use a flexible measuring tape or a piece of string that you can later measure with a ruler.
- Place the start of the tape in the center of the chest, right where the neck begins.
- Run the tape horizontally along the side of the body, passing over the widest point of the shoulder.
- Continue to the rear (hindquarters), to where the rug should end (the base of the tail or a few cm before).
- That number in cm or inches is your rug size.
Rug size chart
| Measurement cm | UK Size (inches) | Type of animal |
|---|---|---|
| 105-115 | 4'3" - 4'6" | Shetland, very small pony |
| 115-125 | 4'6" - 4'9" | Small pony |
| 125-135 | 4'9" - 5'3" | Medium pony |
| 135-145 | 5'3" - 5'6" | Large pony / small horse |
| 145-155 | 5'6" - 6'0" | Medium horse |
| 155-165 | 6'0" - 6'3" | Large horse |
| 165-175 | 6'3" - 6'9" | Very large horse |
The neck cover
The neck cover is an accessory that extends the rug to cover the horse's neck. It is especially useful in very cold winters or for horses that have been clipped. It should be purchased from the same rug system to ensure it attaches correctly.
