How do I stop rugs rubbing?

[appy]

Why oh why does my horse always get rubs? I changed his rugs from fal last year as his withers (which are pretty high) got rubbed and changed it to a rambo duo. Slight rubs on the shoulders but otherwise ok.

So now we have rubbed shoulders - argggh. He is clipped so needs a rug, and wears a hood which is lined with silky stuff so in theory this shouldn't happen. There are no wither rubs which is great, but what to do about the shoulders? Should I change the rugs around regularly ie rambo duo for a while then fal with a liner and back again?

He is chestnut so you just have to touch him and he rubs or gets some form of injury So any suggestions gratefully received!! (in an ideal world he would be unrugged but that isn't an option as his EPSM means he must stay warm, he hates the rain and has to be clipped as otherwise he gets all sweaty)

[anastasia55555]

you can get those padded shoulder guards, that go over the head and then cover the withers and shoulders. can also get thin fabric ones, we have one for toffee but she still has rubbed withers as she has high withers. we padded it out with velvet type fabric over the withers, but still it has rubbed :-(

[Lulu]

Sew some sheepskin onto the shoulders that should do the trick and make it comfy. It is a nightmare

Some people swear by bossy bibs

[appy]

Thanks both - have tried the bossy bibs but somehow he still rubs! How it can rub when the rug is lined with nylon AND he wears a hood I don't know. hmm, sheepskin - I did do that when he got fistulous withers so if I can't solve it that may be an option.

Thinking perhaps I should have 2 winter rugs and just keep swapping them round. Of course it means more money... Looking at premier equine rugs so may put a thread up about them.

Please keep tips coming!

[tomrabbit]

We have same problem - High withers and long thin neck, meaning rugs slip down, and it's impossible to get a good fit.
Best solution for us has been to use rugs with full necks, as they seem to sit up better, and slip down less, and don't rub that patch off the mane either. Weatherbeeta Landa is working well for us. Also, using a thin fleece underneath seems to help, if you go for a thinner rug, and can find a fleece which doesn't trail under. Bonus of that is, if you swap to a stable rug at night, the warm fleece can stay on, which is great in really cold weather.
Other than that, one of those lycra rub guard thingies, that goes on over the head was helpful, although it does wick water down when used with a neckless rug.
In summer, we solved the problem of having to flyrug this year, by switching to a neem oil based fly repellant, and for the first time since we have owned him, our little arab x didn't have bare patches on his shoulders over summer, and got a welcome break from rugging!