How to Measure Your Horse for a Rug (UK Size Guide)
A rug that fits stays in place and does not rub. A rug that is too small pulls at the chest and shoulders. A rug that is too big slips back. You need a soft tape measure and someone to hold your horse.
What you need
- A soft tape measure. Or use a piece of string, then measure the string with a metal tape.
- Someone to hold your horse
How to measure
- Stand your horse square on flat ground.
- Hold the end of the tape in the centre of the chest.
- Take the tape along the side of your horse, over the widest part of the shoulder.
- Stop at the back of the hindquarters, at the point of the buttock. Keep the tape flat against your horse and level.
- Write down the measurement in inches.
UK rug sizes
UK rugs are sized in feet and inches. There are 12 inches in a foot. For example, 75 inches is 6 feet 3 inches, written as 6'3". You can also find your measurement in the inches column below.
| Rug size | Inches | Centimetres |
|---|---|---|
| 3'6" | 42" | 107 cm |
| 3'9" | 45" | 114 cm |
| 4'0" | 48" | 122 cm |
| 4'3" | 51" | 130 cm |
| 4'6" | 54" | 137 cm |
| 4'9" | 57" | 145 cm |
| 5'0" | 60" | 152 cm |
| 5'3" | 63" | 160 cm |
| 5'6" | 66" | 168 cm |
| 5'9" | 69" | 175 cm |
| 6'0" | 72" | 183 cm |
| 6'3" | 75" | 191 cm |
| 6'6" | 78" | 198 cm |
| 6'9" | 81" | 206 cm |
| 7'0" | 84" | 213 cm |
As a rough guide, small ponies take 3'6" to 4'6", larger ponies 4'9" to 5'6", cobs 5'9" to 6'3", and most horses 6'3" to 6'9". Always measure your horse, because two horses of the same height can need different sizes.
If your horse is between sizes
Rug sizes go up in 3-inch steps. If your horse is between two sizes, choose the bigger size for a broad horse and the smaller size for a narrow horse. Do not buy a bigger rug just to be safe. A rug that is too big will slip and rub.
How to check the fit
- Withers and shoulders: you should be able to slide your hand flat under the rug.
- Chest: the front straps should close without pulling.
- Back: the rug should reach the top of the tail.
- Belly straps: cross them under the belly. Leave about a hand's width between the straps and your horse.
- Leg straps: loop one through the other so they do not rub.
Try the rug on in the stable first, on a clean, dry horse, and keep the tags on. Watch your horse walk and turn in it. If it does not fit, you can send it back unused and change it for another size.
Our rugs
Our turnout rugs come in sizes 5'0" to 7'0". Our pony turnout rug comes in sizes 3'6" to 5'0". To choose the right weight, read our turnout rug weight guide.
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