If you’re an experienced horse owner, you’ll likely have come across many rugs in your lifetime. If you’re just starting out with a horse, a rug is one of the first things you’ll need to invest in. There are two main types of rugs, stable rugs for when your horse is in their stable and turn-out rugs that are suitable for when your horse is outdoors. Whether you’re looking for rugs for ponies or rugs for clipped horses, you are sure to find something perfect for your four-legged companion.
Horse rugs are great at collecting dirt and dust after your horse has been out in their field all day, so it is important that we know how to keep them in the best condition. They can also be quite bulky, so we’re going to give you a few tips on how to clean and store them.
Hand washing your rug
If you don’t have washing machine space available to clean your horse rug, handwashing is just as good. You can do this by filling a large bucket with hot water and non-biological, non-detergent soap so you don’t irritate your horse’s skin or harm any of the coatings on the rug. It’s essential to make sure that the bucket is big enough to submerge the whole rug. You can use the end of a broom to make the entire horse rug is wet. Soak the rug for 30 minutes.
After you’re done with soaking, spread the rug out onto a clean surface and give it a scrub with a stiff brush or broom. Use straight-line motions when you’re scrubbing, and this will help to remove the water.
Machine washing your rug
If you choose to machine wash your rug, you should lay your rug over a fence and try to remove as much dirt and grass as possible on both the outside and inside of the rug, taking off all removable straps and closing all Velcro fastenings will help when you’re doing this.
For machine washing, you should purchase a mesh washing bag that is large enough to cover the surface of the rug. You should machine wash your rug on a delicate or cold setting as this minimises stretching. If your rug doesn’t fit, you should try a commercial laundrette.
Drying your rug
Drying your horse rug is easy, just hang it over a fence or washing line in the sun, ideally on a breezy day.
Storing your rug
Now you’ve done the hard part, it’s time to store your rug. Check your leg straps are connected and not hanging loose. Fold it in the middle so that the chest and tail sections are lined up. Tuck the stomach straps into the fold and fold the neck side of the rug into the centre. Finally, fold the stomach side into the centre. You should store your rug in a cool, dark place when you don’t need it, away from moisture and dust, humidity, and hot temperatures.
