How to Make a Horse Rug

While horses are inherently outdoor animals, not all of them are suited to the climate in which they live. Blankets or rugs offer warmth in winter, protection from sun and insects in the summer and help the athletic horse during its warm up and cool down. Many types and styles of rug are available. Horses, like people, can sometimes be difficult to fit. Making your own rugs ensures you get the style, color and fit that you want.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Pattern drafting paper or old, flat bedsheet
• Fabric
• Wide webbing for straps
• Fasteners or buckles for closing the front
• Elastic webbing, D-rings, and clips for the leg straps

Instructions

Measure your Horse

1. Horse blanket sizes are measured from the center of the chest to the point of the hindquarters. This measurement, in inches, is your blanket size. Next, measure the center back measurement from the withers to the tail. This is the back size of the blanket. Last, measure from the point of the withers to just below the barrel of the chest. This gives you the length. Add 1 inch to all measurements for the seam allowance.

2. 

   Lay out your pattern drafting paper or sheet. Set down the center back measurement first. Next, create the rear of the blanket by setting down the length.
   Now that the length is measured, you will see that you have a short line on top, a connecting line at the rear, and a longer line on the bottom. Measure the length of the blanket and mark the halfway point. Then at the front of the blanket, create a curve to connect the half-length mark to the front of the center back measurement. This is for the horse's neck.

3. Once you have created your pattern, it's time to choose your fabric. If this is to be an outdoor rug, a waterproof outer layer is always helpful. For coolers or indoor rugs, fleece is commonly used. Choose a fabric which is durable, as horses tend to be hard on their clothing.

4. Double the fabric if possible and lay the back measurement of the pattern along the center fold. Pin the pattern here and cut carefully. If you are unable to double the fabric, cut two of the pattern pieces and stitch together along the back seam only. It is wise to check the fit now, before webbing and straps have been attached.

5. Once you have ensured the fit, sew the binding to the edges of the blanket. If there is a seam along the center back, a strip of binding sewn here can add extra durability. If this is a rug which will be left on the horse for an extended period of unsupervised time, you will need at minimum one surcingle strap and a tail or leg straps. A fastener or Velcro to close the front of the blanket is also necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your fabric is an appropriate choice Notions such as surcingle straps, leg straps, or tail rope can usually be purchased from a tack shop ready-made. Testing the pattern using a cheap material can save you both time and money.