Horse blankets are an essential part of your horse’s wardrobe. They provide warmth, protection, and even moisture-wicking capabilities. But, when it comes to putting a blanket on your horse, there’s one important decision to make: Should you cross the belly straps?
The short answer is yes, you should always cross the belly straps when putting on a horse blanket. This practice helps keep the blanket in place and prevents the straps from rubbing on your horse’s delicate stomach area.
The Benefits of Crossing Belly Straps
Crossing the belly straps of your horse’s blanket has several benefits. The most important is that it helps keep the blanket in place, even when your horse is running and playing. This helps to prevent the blanket from slipping off and potentially causing your horse to become injured.
Crossing the straps also helps to reduce the amount of pressure that is placed on your horse’s stomach area. By crossing the straps, you are distributing the pressure from the straps more evenly across the blanket, which helps to prevent it from causing any discomfort to your horse.
In addition, crossing the belly straps helps to reduce the amount of wear and tear on the straps. By crossing the straps, you are helping to prevent them from becoming overly stretched or frayed. This helps to extend the life of your horse’s blanket and keep it looking like new for longer.
How to Cross Belly Straps
Crossing the belly straps of your horse’s blanket is actually quite simple. All you need to do is take the two straps and cross them over each other in the middle of your horse’s stomach.
Once you have done this, make sure to secure the straps in place. You can do this by either tying a knot in the straps or by using a buckle or snap closure. Make sure to double check that the straps are secure before letting your horse out to play.
Tips for Preventing Belly Rubs
Crossing the belly straps of your horse’s blanket is just one way to help prevent belly rubs. Here are a few other things you can do to help reduce the risk of belly rubs:
-Choose the right size blanket. A blanket that is too big or too small can cause the straps to rub against your horse’s stomach. Measure your horse and choose a blanket that fits them properly.
-Check the straps regularly. Make sure to check the straps of your horse’s blanket often to make sure that they are not stretched or frayed. If they are, replace them as soon as possible.
-Use a belly guard. If your horse is prone to belly rubs, consider investing in a belly guard. This is a protective pad that can help to provide extra cushioning and reduce the risk of your horse developing belly rubs.
Conclusion
Crossing the belly straps of your horse’s blanket is an important part of keeping your horse safe and comfortable. Not only does it help to keep the blanket in place, but it also helps to reduce the amount of pressure placed on your horse’s stomach area. Make sure to cross the straps correctly and check them regularly to ensure that your horse is always protected.