FITTING

Congratulations on your new rug purchase. Caring for an Itchy horse is hard work, and the aim of using this rug and implementing our suggested strategies ( Electric fencing, restricting access to trees, posts,gates and any other scratching site and the use of your most successful itch potion or lotion) is that your horse will be more comfortable. Ideally you have been able to purchase your rug before the itch season starts and get your horse is dressed well before he gets itchy. The first time you fit the rug, do so in a confined space with a halter on. This is best till your horse gets used to this rug. There are parts of the rug that are hanging down while you are putting it on and if your horse runs off your rug will be damaged. If you would rather your horse be tethered while (un)dressing, that is also possible by guiding the rope from the haltered horse through the rear end of the neck piece before tying the horse up.

FITTING THE DEMEULENKAMP ITCH/INSECT RUG Roll up the neck piece a bit and pull it over the horse's head (it is designed to fit quite tightly around the top of the neck, just behind the ears.) Spread it loosely over the back of the horse. The belly part of the rug is now hanging loosely on the ground between the forelegs. Pull the back part of the rug snugly over the horse's back and over the tail. The sewn-on loops on the back must be positioned along the spine. Position yourself on the right side of the horse and pull the belly part of the rug towards the belly, between the front legs of the horse. Lift the belly part and push the elastic girth straps through the loops on the back. Let the catches temporarily hook loosely in the loops. Now move to the left side of the horse, grab the three other belly straps and close the buckles on the back. Check with your hands along the external seams of the belly part of the rug on both sides of the horse to see if it fits snugly and leaves the sheath free on stallions and geldings and the udder on mares. Adapt the tension of the elastic girth straps on the back as required. Criss-cross the leg straps and fasten. Perform a daily check to see if the horse is still properly dressed. Remove loose hair and scurf regularly, especially from the inside of the neck and belly part. A rug which fits correctly should stay in place. If the rug slides back and rubs the shoulders it is generally too big. Also, if the horse leaves manure inside the leg protection then the rug is too long. If it is already soiled, you may need to take a tuck in the rug to customize the rug to fit your horse better.     FITTING THE DEMEULENKAMP ITCH/INSECT HOOD You will see there are four button holes on the neck of the rug, just up from the clips. Open these button holes with a sharp knife. You can then put the hood on the horse, then the rug (over the hood), and insert the webbing straps on the hood through the button holes;then fasten the clips. Pass the strap at the top of the rug through the loop in the hood. If the hood slips forward further adjustment is required.     CLEANING YOUR RUG The rug can be machine-washed at 30 degrees Celsius. You should wash the rug at least every two weeks. The smell should let you know in hot weather.