Fitting Belly Surcingles
While the decision to use surcingles or not is often hotly debated, if your horse rug has them, it is important to fit them correctly to reduce the chance of the horse getting caught up and potentially injuring himself.
You may also find some of our other guides in this series helpful:
What do surcingles do on a horse rug?
As more horses are rugged almost full time, it has become necessary to minimise excessive movement of a rug on a horse. Ideally, a well-fitted rug should move with a horse, allowing them comfort and freedom to move without restriction.
When fitted properly, belly surcingles help prevent the rug from twisting to one side or the other. They also serve to prevent the sides of a rug billowing in the wind. Conversely, on cooler lightweight rugs such as our Flag Horse Rugs, we do not use surcingles as the fluttering skirt of the rug allows the extra breeze to get to the underside of the horse.
Fitting belly surcingles correctly:
- Straps should be crossed from the front of the off-side to the rear of the near-side and from the rear of the off-side to the front of the near-side.
- Use the sliding adjustment bars to make the straps longer or shorter as needed.
- The straps should be even and of a length that will create an even cross or 'X' in the centre of the horse's belly.
- The cross-over should hang no more than a hand's width from the horse.
Belly surcingles that are fitted correctly:
Belly surcingles that are fitted incorrectly:
If the straps are not crossed to the opposing position as described they will be of little benefit at all.
Belly surcingles that are fitted too tight:
Belly surcingles should be loose enough to allow the belly to move and expand comfortably with movement. Imagine how uncomfortable you would be laying down with a tight belt around your belly!
Belly surcingles that are fitted too loose:
If the straps hang lower than a hands width there is an increased risk of getting a hoof caught when laying down or rolling. The rug is also more likely to move.
Size does matter
If a rug is too big on a horse, the rug will slip back, placing the surcingles too close to the hind legs. This increases the chance of accidents and injury.
How to layer
If you are fitting a turnout rug over an under rug with belly surcingles, take the time to check that the outer rug surcingles are fitted properly. Then, if necessary, adjust the straps of the under rug to ensure the straps do not hang lower than the outer rug straps.
By taking a few extra minutes when you first use a rug with belly surcingles to get the fit right, you can alleviate a lot of problems, repairs, and heartache. It also pays to check the surcingles from time to time, ensuring they have not slipped or sustained any damage through use. Ultimately, a well-fitted rug with properly adjusted belly surcingles will help your horse wear their rug comfortably for a long time to come.
To learn more about common fitting mistakes when sizing and fitting horse rugs, read our detailed guide here.