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Cover Rubs
 The best way to prevent rubs and chafes from developing is to ensure that your horse or pony's rug is the correct size and is well fitting. If you have just brought a new cover, help it to mould to horses back quickly by placing it on your horse with a piece of string or elastic surcingle tied snuggly around his middle. It is practially helpful if there is a good shower of rain which will help improve the resulting fit. If you are sure of the covers waterproof qualitys, you may like to hose the outside of it down before putting it on for the first time. A new rug (or an old one) should come well forward of the wither, not on top of it. However even the best fitting rugs can sometimes slip. During the winter your ponies rug needs to be checked and adjusted if neccessary at least once a day. If your pony is developing a rub on his withers, try making a pad of sheepskin or an old sponge. If he has a tendency to go bald on the point of his shoulder sewing in a sheepskin or satin lining, or using one of the many rug bibs available may help. Have a go at making polarfleece sleves for the leg straps, which should prevent them from chaffing the horse and make sure you clip the straps facing the outside so that the don't rub either. If your horse has been rubbed, there is little you can do. Scrubbing bald patches with methylated spirits will harden up the skin, but this is no good if the skin is broken. In this case, gentley wash the area saline solution (warm water and salt) and apply antiseptic powder or cream. The pony may well have to live indoors (without his cover) until the rub heals.
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