Really useful guide to choosing the right horse rug

When working out how to choose horse rugs, the Dogwood team knows a thing or two. Here's our handy, really useful guide to selecting and buying the best rug for your animal.

First, think about your horse. Why would you want to put a 'coat' on your horse? Quite simply, this piece of equestrian equipment can keep your animals clean, dry and warm - all very practical reasons.

A thoroughbred stabled all year will need a warmer rug than a hardy cob that lives outside most of the time.

Then consider the weather and the seasons. In the summer time, single summer sheet rugs may be all that you need, while autumn and winter will almost certainly require stable rugs and turnout rugs with a thermal filling.

Broadly speaking, there are just two main categories of equestrian rug: turnout and stable rug. However, within those two categories there are various distinctions - from cooler, exercise and fleece rugs to anti-sweat rugs, fly and summer sheets.

The main point to remember is this: horse rugs should not be too tight round the neck, shoulder or chest area and the sides of a rug should ensure none of the horse's belly is visible.

Stable rugs
Modern rugs designed for use in stables keep horses warm - but they are not waterproof because they are not intended for outdoor use.

Quilted and padded stable rugs are common, made of different weights and thicknesses of filling. They tend to be breathable, allowing perspiration to evaporate and to prevent chilling.

Night time may require heavier stable rugs to be placed on a horse due to the temperature differences between colder nights and warmer days.

A useful development are stable rugs that can be used on a damp horse. The advanced fabric wicks away moisture and helps the animal dry quickly.

Turnout rugs
When you need to turn your horse out turnout rugs with or without fillings can be brought. As well as for turnout it is also possible to use some lightweight, breathable turnout rugs indoors.

Waterproof cotton was a common material used in the past, but now high tech materials less prone to tearing are available that offer warmth, wind resistance, durability and wicking qualities.

Stronger materials such as nylon are used although they are usually not sufficiently waterproof for use outdoors so they have to be chemically treated to cope with drizzle and rain.

Multi-purpose horse rugs
Medium-weight rugs with additional layers - such as a blanket, quilted lining or fleece - make for a practical alternative to purchasing different rugs for each of the seasons.

Don't forget neck covers. As the weather gets colder, these help keep animals warm, and stop mud and other dirt sticking to your horse.

While you will be selecting rugs mostly for the practical benefits, do have fun choosing to clothe your horse. Your filly, mare, colt, gelding or stallion is likely to be better dressed than some of the two-legged members of your family!

Stop trembling in your riding boots every time you go out for a hack

Keeping your riding boots in the stirrups should be the least of your concerns when you're out for a relaxing hack in the countryside. However, unless your horse is of the 'bombproof' variety, the great outdoors can provide many different objects and noises that can potentially spook your horse.

Flight rather than fight
Horses are prey animals so their natural instinct is to flee from any potential dangers whether this be a lion or a startled pheasant. Some horses are naturally nervier than others - pure thoroughbreds are more predisposed to being flighty than say a cob simply because of their breeding. Previous bad experiences can also cause a horse to become 'spooky' as well.

If your horse is of the nervous kind, there are plenty of things you can do to help make a hack in the woods a pleasurable experience for you and your horse. The main element to stopping a horse from shying or bolting is to get them to trust you. Building a trusting relationship with your horse will do wonders for your partnership and will ensure you get the best from your horse both in and out of the competition field as they overcome their natural flight instinct and put their confidence in you.

Stay calm and your horse will stay calm too
The first common mistake riders make when dealing with a nervous horse is to tense up themselves. They are likely to tighten their grip, shift their weight forward and generally stiffen their bodies all the way down their long riding boots - all elements that will only increase your horse's fear. Although sometimes hard to do, the best action is to behave like everything is fine to try and con your horse into thinking the same.

If you are apprehensive about going out on a hack alone, ask someone on your yard with a more bombproof horse to come out with you. Horses are herd animals and a nervy horse will gain confidence from being behind a more relaxed and sensible horse. If for example the horse in front doesn't spook at the plastic bag then your horse is less likely to spook at it too. If you have no one to go out with on horseback, get someone to walk in front of your horse or walk to the side of it so they can lead your horse if necessary.

Help your horse overcome its fear
If there is a particular thing that your horse is scared of such as flapping plastic, try tying some onto the fence of your horse's field so that gradually they become accustomed to it. If it is dogs they are scared of, ask someone you know with a dog to bring it to your yard or field and gradually bring it closer each time to your horse. Always be patient with your horse even when it can be frustrating – remember it is fear that they are overcoming and this can take time.

Reassuring pats and talking calmly to your horse can do wonders when they are frightened and can help calm you down too. If your horse does bolt, pull on one rein in a sea-saw motion rather than on both as they will simply just lean on the bit. If there's space, try and circle your horse making the circles increasingly smaller to gradually slow them down.

Praise your horse when it shows signs of overcoming its phobias
Make sure you reward your horse when it shows signs of overcoming its fear - a Polo at the right moment can make all the difference.

Over time following these steps can help ensure that your riding boots stay securely in the stirrups.

The history of turnout rugs from pioneering Horseware Ireland

Horseware Ireland has long been established as one of the top manufacturers of horse rugs in the world. Their series of turnout rugs have proved hugely successful thanks to their innovative design and unbeatable weather protection.

The history of Horseware Ireland
Started back in 1985, its founders, Tom and Carol McGuinness revolutionised the horse rug industry with their determination to design and produce a turnout rug that didn't leak, didn't cause the horse to sweat and didn't slip. This led to the creation of the first in the Rambo Horse Rug range, the Rambo Original which became the design basis for all other horse rug manufacturers.

Horseware's key policy of Innovation not Imitation ensures that they remain at the very forefront of horse rug technology as they strive to find the very best materials and optimum design to ensure the rugs they produce offer the best all weather protection whilst also providing the greatest comfort and safety for your horses.

In 1997 Horseware introduced the Rambo Horse Rug, which is undoubtedly the product they are now most famous for. It gained its renown for its characteristically high neck and pioneering and unique front closure system. Since its introduction, the Rambo series has grown from strength to strength, with each new design offering a further innovative element such as the Flybuster which gives fly and sun protection like no other rug.

Due to this dedication to creating the ultimate all-weather rug, the Rambo Turnouts have been voted 'Britain's favourite turnout rug' for nine consecutive years by readers of Your Horse magazine.

Cleaning your Horseware horse rug
Carefully looked after, Horseware's rugs will last for years. Follow our cleaning guide to help your horse rug last longer.

• Firstly, remove excess dirt with a stiff brush or hose the rug down. The rug can either be washed by hand or on a delicate machine cycle on a cool wash (maximum temperature 30 degrees Celsius).
• Use a mild soap - strong soaps can reduce the waterproofing of the rug. Rinse the rug thoroughly
• Once the rug has been fully rinsed, leave it to drip dry, do not tumble dry.
• Store your rug in a dry and sealed area where it cannot be reached by vermin and moths.
• Occasionally your rug may benefit from being re-proofed to keep the waterproof coating in top condition. Any re-proofer for synthetic rugs will work on Horseware Turnout rugs.

Horseware rugs at Dogwood
At Dogwood we have selected the finest Horseware rugs that we believe offer the best for value and performance. Available in different sizes and weights, your horse will stay warm and dry this winter with a Horseware turnout rug from Dogwood. For more information call us today on 0845 30 10 365

Player's leather riding boots got a soaking at the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup final

The Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup is supposed to signal the height of summer with overflowing jugs of Pimms and champagne bottles lined up by the dozen, alongside merry picnic-ers sprawled across Cowdray's vast green fields enjoying the warmth of the elusive British summer. Sultry South American polo players career up and down the pitch showing off their riding finesse atop the finest Argentinian ponies money can buy, the sun gleaming off their heavily polished leather riding boots attracting the admiration of the 'glitterati' dressed in skimpy summer dresses and killer high heels. This year however, things were slightly different.

Yes, there was lots of Pimms, and of course there was champagne, yes the 'glitterati' were there decked out in their finest designer dresses and the polo players were certainly as sultry and handsome as ever. However, the sun was very noticeably absent. With strong winds and regular intervals of showers, unfortunately it was rain rather than sun that gleamed off the player's riding boots.

In true British fashion, the bad weather made the spectators only more determined to carry on with their picnicking. Having been brought up with strong scouting and guiding mentality, the ever prepared Brits soon had their gilets, cashmere scarves, wax jackets and brollies out so that feasts of coronation pheasant, mango rice salad, smoked salmon and strawberry and meringue desserts could be resumed, albeit under the cover of make shift tents and shelters.

The match itself, unlike the weather, certainly did not disappoint as Dubai and La Bamba De Areco battled it out against each other to reach a final score of 13-10 to La Bamba De Areco. Cries of "And the whistle blows" and "Veuve, Veuve Clicquot" filled the air as the commentator's enthusiastic voice boomed round the pitch's PA system. The succession of goal after goal helped the crowds forget the cold rain and biting winds that sent picnic chairs flying and had ladies clinging desperately to their dresses to avoid the inevitable 'Marilyn Monroe moment'.

When play became too much for some, the rows of fancy stands selling all sorts of delights from Ferraris to riding boots and polo mallets were ready to lure the spectators away from the game. Although the weather wasn't quite fitting for the Caribbean cocktail bar that was optimistically parked at the forefront of the stands, sales of hot chocolate and coffee from another outlet definitely benefited from the somewhat autumnal weather.

After the match had drawn to a close, the last mouthfuls of champers and Pimms had been sipped and all leather riding boots had been swapped for Brogues, the fleet of Aston Martins, Range Rovers and Porsches that had filled the car park slowly drifted off home leaving a wake of broken brollies and Clicquot corks in their stead.

[Image © Darren Triggs]

Poor. Old. Tired. Horse. Excellent exhibition, but no horse tack in sight.

The lovely people at Dogwood London have invited me to write a guest article on their website - not because of my deep knowledge of horse tack, but because I was getting excited about the recent show at the ICA, called "Poor. Old. Tired. Horse."

The title comes from the name of a visual poetry magazine created by Ian Hamilton Finlay, who in turn took it from a phrase in a poem by Robert Creeley, one of the Black Mountain poets. The resulting show, therefore, has little to do directly with horses - there's quite a distance between the animal in the poem and his eventual appearance in the exhibition, after all - and quite a lot to do with how the way a written work is printed affects the way we read it.



As a practising poet, I get excited about this kind of thing very easily. I know it's not true for everyone; when I tried to tell the Dogwood manager about the exhibition while watching the same dressage event, it initially led to a little gentle teasing, but I stuck to my guns - and once I showed him the online reviews to prove it wasn't just me getting excited, he said I should share that here.



So trust me; if you're the kind of person who appreciates the finer things (and that would be why you are on the Dogwood site, wouldn't it?) this is a fascinating exhibit. The words on show aren't restrained by the same horizontal lines you get on a typical page, or on the internet, but they get to dance.



Almost literally, in some cases; the conical word machines of Lilian Lijn set the words around their surface into motion, making them pirouette before your eyes. When the phrase in motion is "sky never stops", the text offset so that the words move against each other as the cone spins, it's entirely pleasurable to hold a remembered image of the ever-changing sky against the artwork in front of you.



And if a literary professional borrowed by an equestrian site isn't your ideal source of art recommendations to trust, perhaps I can point you at the reviews online? The four-star review in Time Out says "exhibitions director Mark Sladen's careful selection of key works across the genre makes a Tardis of the ICA and the years that separate them concertina like squeezebox bellows." The art journal e-flux calls it "an exhibition of art that verges on poetry", and the Telegraph quotes Ian Hamilton Finlay's comment, with seeming approval, that "If I was asked 'Why do you like concrete poetry?' I could truthfully answer 'Because it is beautiful'."



And beauty catches the eye - just look at the gorgeous leather goods elsewhere on the Dogwood site for evidence of that - so it's a show well worth catching if you're in London before it closes. Given it's an exhibition with free entry, there's nothing to lose, and every chance of walking away with a spot of beauty giving uplift to your day. Not much chance of finding horse tack there, though.

Poor. Old. Tired. Horse. At the ICA, closes 25th August.

[Image © Lilian Lijn, Sky Never Stops, 1965, Collection V&A Museum]