Horse Rug Size Chart & Fitting Guides

Buying Horse Rugs online can be a little daunting if it's your first time. We have put together this comprehensive guide to help make it easy to get the correct size horse rug and help get a better understanding of the appropriate horse rug sizes when purchasing a from our website. This horse rug fitting guide can be used to understand the way in which Caribu horse rugs are measured in relation to your horse and your existing rug brands. The size of each horse changes

2 ways to find the best size rug for your horse:

Option 1: Measure Your Horse

This is the most accurate way to get the correct rug size. Measure in a straight line from the center of the horse's chest (where the top chest buckle would sit), around the shoulder, along the side of the belly to the furthest rear point of the rump, or where you expect the rug to finish. Make sure not to measure around to the tail as this will add a few extra inches. It's a good idea to measure both sides more than once! This measurement can be used as a guide for your rug size.

An easy way to measure your horse is to use a tape measure that has imperial measurements on it (i.e.: feet and inches). Measure your horse in the same way as mentioned above. As you get to the horse's rump you can get an idea of where each size horse rug size will finish. Using the tape as a guide, check where you would expect the horse rug to finish and see how it relates to imperial sizing. For example, a 6'0 rug will measure 6'0, so considering the 3-inch intervals in sizing that horse rugs follow, and you can get an idea where a 5'9 or even a 6'3 will finish. Some people find this an easier method for measuring because it will help you understand where each horse rug size will finish.

Option 2 : Measure an existing rug that fits;

If you can we would recommend that you measure both your horse and an existing rug that fits. Having two measurements to compare will help confirm your sizing.

When you are measuring an existing rug, try not to use a waterproof turnout, but simple normal cotton or mesh paddock rug or similar. Turnouts horse rugs tend to be slightly longer to cater for chest overlap, and this will complicate the way you need to measure your existing horse rug.

Don't rely on the sizing label on your existing rug, older rugs usually have stretched or shrunk or the way a manufacturer has listed may not be true to size. Keep in mind that Turnout rugs follow a slightly different fit/sizing (see horse rug size chart below). To measure an existing rug, measure from the front edge of the rug, between the two chest straps, along the length of the rug, with the gusset closed, to the rear edge of the rug.

Hands	Australian Sizes		NZ Sizes
Hands	Rug Size	Metric	Rug Size	Metric
Under 9 hh	Size 3'3	99cm	Size 2'0	58cm
	Size 3'6	107cm	Size 2'3	66cm
	Size 3'9	115cm	Size 2'6	74cm
	Size 4'0	123cm	Size 2'9	82cm
9.0 - 10.2 hh	Size 4'3	130cm	Size 3'0	91cm
10.2 - 12.0 hh	Size 4'6	137cm	Size 3'3	99cm
12.0 - 12.2 hh	Size 4'9	145cm	Size 3'6	107cm
12.2 - 13.2 hh	Size 5'0	152cm	Size 3'9	115cm
13.2 - 14.0 hh	Size 5'3	160cm	Size 4'0	123cm
14.0 - 14.2 hh	Size 5'6	168cm	Size 4'3	130cm
14.2 - 15.0 hh	Size 5'9	175cm	Size 4'6	137cm
15.0 - 15.3 hh	Size 6'0	183cm	Size 4'9	145cm
15.3 - 16.1 hh	Size 6'3	191cm	Size 5'0	152cm
16.1 - 16.3 hh	Size 6'6	198cm	Size 5'3	160cm
16.3 - 17.0 hh	Size 6'9	206cm	Size 5'6	168cm
over 17.0 hh	Size 7'0	213cm	Size 5'9	175cm

The next step - Check the fit of your horse rug

Put the rug on the horse, it should sit forward and in front of the wither. The top chest buckle should be fastened to the tightest or second to last hole. If you are using the third hole or more, it may suggest the horse may need a larger rug size. The rug should sit firmly around the neckline and chest.

Leg straps should be loose enough to prevent chafing - but not hanging down low. Surcingles should be adjusted so that they allow a hand's width between straps and belly.

Rugs that are too big for a horse tend to create more problems from rubbing and chaffing than rugs that are too small. If a rug is too big in the neck area, the rugs slip back over the wither and put pressure on the chest. This will cause more fabric to hang over the rear end of the horse and you will have issues with slippage and horses getting caught in surcingles and stepping on their rugs when getting up or rolling.

The seam where the tail flap attaches to the rug should sit on top of the tail. If it sits beyond the tail, the rug is too big, if it sits up in front of the tail, the rug is too small.

Check out our Rug Fitting Guide on this link - to see information and images of how a horse rug should sit on your horse.