Last time we learned about the importance of the correct use of horse rugs and related precautions, now let’s learn the process of putting on and taking off horse rugs...
Last time we learned that the best way to put on and take off the rug safely is to start learning by taking off the horse rug. Now let us understand the process of taking off the horse rug:
1. First understand the process of removing the horse rug:
1). Wear a bridle to the horses, and always hold the reins when stripping off the rug. If the horse is frightened, holding the reins can provide effective control.
2). Untie the straps of the hind legs. If you unfasten the front leg straps and girths first, the horse rug is likely to slide backwards and trap the horse’s hind legs, causing it to startle and fall.
3). Then untie the girth belt of the horse rug and the belt on the front chest. Now fold all the untied straps on the horse back to prepare for the next step of folding the horse rug.
4). Slowly, fold the horse rug by 1/3 from the back waist of the horse.
5). Finally, fold the 1/3 of the neck. Now the horse carpet should be a three-layer shape. This method of stacking can make the horse carpet narrower and reduce the volume. Finally, gently remove the horse rug from the horse's back.
2. Common wrong operations:
1). Without the help of the bridle and reins.
2). Tie the horse to something that is not secure.
3). The action is abrupt.
4). Unnecessary noises are made in the process of putting on and taking off horse clothes.
5). Approach the horse from behind with the entire unfolded horse rug.
6). Spread the horse rug on the horse's back like a bed sheet.
7). The horse's reaction was not observed.
3. Now let's see how to put on the horse rug:
If you want to wear horse rugs to horses, you only need to reverse the above process-from front to back.
1). Prepare the horse rug, and stack it into the shape just taken off.
2). Put a bridle on the horse. Keep holding the reins during the entire wearing process in order to control the situation.
3). Pick up the prepared horse rug and slowly approach the horse from the left side, to convince the horse that this is nothing threatening, and gently place it on the middle part of the horse's back.
4). Open the first layer of folded horse rug toward the neck, and then open the second layer of horse rug to the back waist. Now the horse rug should be fully spread out.
5). Gently lower all the straps on the horse rug from the horse's back.
6). Fasten the chest strap of the horse
7). Then buckle the abdomen belt, and at the same time make sure that the belt is flat, and don't let it rub the horse's skin.
8). Finally, cross and fix the left and right hind leg straps: the method is to wrap the left hind leg strap around the right strap and then return to the left direction to buckle it, the same is true for the right. This cross-fixing method can effectively prevent the back leg straps from being too loose, the horse rug sideways, the straps covering the horse's hoof, and so on. Also, make sure that the hind leg straps are flat and not twisted, and don't let it rub the horse's groin.
4. If the horse has never crossed the horse rug:
Horses must take their time to wear the horse rug for the first time. First, try to make it stand next to the fence, but don't tether it. You can invite someone who is experienced in horses to wear rugs to help. Then, you should familiarize the horse with the smell and noise of the horse rug. Just like letting horses get acquainted with electric faders for the first time, you can rub the horse rug gently on it. Always pay attention to the horse’s reaction. If it is nervous, you should step back and try again slowly. Don’t worry, everything is to ensure that the horse’s first experience of wearing the horse rug is happy.
5. If the horse carpet is damaged:
Damaged horse rugs also pose another safety hazard. If only a small hole is broken, it can be used after repairing; but if a few centimeters long is cut, once the filler is exposed, even if it is repaired, it will not be able to prevent cold and moisture. Damaged horse rugs are also in danger of trapping horse hooves. So once you find that there is a quality problem with the horse rug, you'd better buy a new one. If you insist on operating in accordance with the method introduced in the article, then I believe that no matter what the circumstances, you can safely wear and remove the rug and minimize the possibility of accidents.