Fitting your blanket for safety

Major Points on Surcingle Straps and Tightness

• Surcingle Straps: It is essential to ensure that surcingle straps are properly adjusted to prevent them from being too loose. A loose strap can significantly increase the risk of the horse getting a leg caught, or becoming caught on something, which could lead to serious injuries or accident. When adjusting the surcingle straps, it is important to check that they fit snugly against the horse's body without causing any discomfort. The ideal fit should allow for one (if elasticized) or two fingers between the surcingle strap and the horse, ensuring that it is secure yet not overly tight. Regularly inspecting the straps for wear and tear is also crucial, as frayed or damaged straps can compromise safety and functionality.
  

• Back Leg Straps: Adjusting the back leg straps to the correct height is vital for ensuring both safety and comfort for the horse. Typically straps are left way too long risking them becoming caught. These straps should be positioned in a way that they do not interfere with the horse's movement or cause any chafing (try putting a velcro halter fuzzy around the leg strap if there is chafing). The back leg straps should be high enough to keep the blanket/sheet in place but not so high that they restrict the horse's natural range of motion. Additionally, regularly checking the integrity of these straps will help maintain a safe and comfortable environment for the horse.
  

• Chest Closure: Properly adjusting the chest closure while the horse's head is down (in a grazing position) is a critical step in ensuring the horse's comfort and safety. An improperly adjusted chest closure can lead to restricted movement, which may cause the horse to feel anxious or uncomfortable. In addition, the horse may experience chest, shoulder or wither rubs from an incorrect fit. When fastening the chest closure, it is important to ensure that it is snug but not overly tight; a good rule of thumb is to allow for two fingers to fit comfortably between the closure and the horse’s chest. Furthermore, routinely checking the chest closure for any signs of wear, such as fraying of the tab that the buckle fits onto, loose velcro (if velcro has been used) and if a snap type of closure, ensure the snap properly closes and is turned with the opening toward the horse (to avoid becoming snagged on fencing, hay nets, etc.)