Fitting and Washing Advice 

The team at Snuggy Hoods are here to help you with any queries regarding fit, usage, wear and tear, repairs etc…

As with any garment (especially one being worn by horses) we do offer advice on keeping it in “tip top” condition.

Most important is to make sure you are happy with the fit before leaving your horse in his new “clothes”. If you have any queries with the fit, do please get in touch without delay. As with any item of clothing, incorrect fit can cause discomfort, rubbing and damage to the item/animal.

At the end of the season, do feel free to contact us regarding our “refurb service” which will hopefully give seasons of extra use to your hood/rug.

Read our Fitting and Washing Instructions

FAQ's

Quick links

> How to Order Online

> Read our Fitting and Washing Instructions

> How can I find out/reset my username or password?

> How should I wash my rugs and hoods?

> Will the hairs clog my machine?

> My horse's mane has been rubbed out by his high-necked rug. Will your hoods stop this happening?

> How often should I wash my rugs and hoods?

> Can I turn my horse out in his hood?

> Are they waterproof?

> What happens if I buy the wrong size?

> How do I know if it's a perfect fit?

> Do they need to be removed everyday?

> How comfortable are they for the horse?

> I've had a similar hood before and they never seem to fit around the eyes and would ride forward over his withers – why are yours so different?

> Why are they so expensive compared to the ones I've seen advertised in other catalogues?

> Will my horse get too hot in the summer with it on?

> What material is the Sweet Itch Body made of and how does it work?

> My horse has severe sweet itch and seems to rip everything we put on him. Will your rug tear?

> My mare gets terribly bitten in her udder area and also down her legs. What can you recommend?

> Can you recommend any creams or shampoo?

> Do they take long to dry when they've got wet? Do they stretch?

> Do you do gift vouchers?

> I've heard I can use a product to make my Turn Out Hood waterproof – what is it and where can I purchase it?

> How can I find the different designs you do?


How can I find out/reset my username or password?

Your username will be your e-mail address. Upon registration with our site you will be sent a confirmation email which will contain your log in details- keep this safe for future reference. If in doubt please call us on +441225 783399 or send an e-mail to sales@snuggyhoods.com - we can reset your password manually if you have forgotten it.

How should I wash my rugs and hoods?

Our hoods and rugs can be washed in a washing machine at 40 degrees, but please do not tumble dry. Remember to fasten any velcro before washing!

Will the hairs clog my machine?

If you are concerned about this you can purchase the Equine Laundry Bag. This has been designed to allow you to wash the items you would not normally put inside your machine for fear of hair, mud and grit clogging up the filter. It has an added benefit of cushioning small buckles and clips thus protecting the drum from additional wear and tear.

My horse's mane has been rubbed out by his high-necked rug. Will your hoods stop this happening?

We have many telephone calls every day concerning this issue, and have ourselves been blighted by this problem in the past. We cannot guarantee our hoods will stop this happening, though it may help. We recommend folding back the rug's neck extension, your hood will offer sufficient protection to your horse's head and neck without the extra protection of the neck of your rug. We advise using a rug without a neck extension.

How often should I wash my rugs and hoods?

You should wash anything that comes into contact with your horse's skin as often as possible, certainly at least twice a month. This will prevent grease and grime from building up. Do check the mane saver and tail guard for grease regularly.

Can I turn my horse out in his hood?

Our Turn Out Hoods are designed for use outdoors being hard wearing whilst breathable, heavy shower proof and 100% mud proof.

Are they waterproof?

Our standard Turn Out Hood is heavy shower proof. The fabric is coated with a water repellant element when made. The horse can stand out in the heaviest rain and will come in with only a few damp spots. We recommend washing with Nik Wax Polar Proof to aid the water repellance.

What happens if I buy the wrong size?

We are more than happy to exchange and also offer a full alteration and repair service to ensure a perfect fit.

How do I know if it's a perfect fit?

We enclose instructions with every hood as a guide and we are also available to answer questions by telephone.

Do they need to be removed everyday?

Your hood need only be removed when you are using your horse or for washing.

How comfortable are they for the horse?

Fitting like a second skin we have designed the product to be as comfortable for the horse using soft breathable fabric and lining the mane and shoulder with silky fabric to prevent any chaffing and rubbing

I've had a similar hood before and they never seem to fit around the eyes and would ride forward over his withers – why are yours so different?

Snuggy Hoods are self-fixing with no rug attachments. They have soft elastic around the nose to ensure there is no movement on the head. Available in ten sizes and have large eye and ear holes. Made from a substantial fabric similar to polyester jodhpur material. They extend to beyond the saddle area and are measured to allow the horse to put his head down and eat without any tension.

Why are they so expensive compared to the ones I've seen advertised in other catalogues?

Snuggy Hoods are not the same as other material hoods on the market. They have been designed by a family-run business for 10 years and through a course of trial and error they have come up with a hood that is suitable for turnout. They are made from a substantial fabric that is heavy shower proof so the horse can be turned out in the heaviest of rain. They have built in mane and shoulder savers to ensure there is no rubbing, they are self fixing which means that no rug attachments are needed and we offer a full repair and alteration service should the fit not be perfect.

Will my horse get too hot in the summer with it on?

The fabric is fully breathable so will not retain heat, however we would recommend that your horse be brought in on an exceptionally hot day, whether wearing a rug or not.

What material is the Sweet Itch Body made of and how does it work?

Made of the same fabric as the Turn Out Hood. Similar to jodhpur fabric it is lightweight yet hardwearing enough to prevent flies and midges biting, and the horse from damaging itself from rubbing. Being a hood and rug set, it is designed to cover as much of the horse as possible without affecting natural movement, with built in ears, fly fringe, mane and shoulder saver, belly band, tail guard and tail flap. These are the most commonly bitten areas.

My horse has severe sweet itch and seems to rip everything we put on him. Will your rug tear?

Obviously if the horse catches it on something it will rip. Also, it will not stand up to barbed wire or blackthorn. However, we understand that a lot of people do not have perfect fencing and are unable to electrify their field, this is why we offer a full inhouse repair service at nominal cost to you.

My mare gets terribly bitten in her udder area and also down her legs. What can you recommend?

We can make an udder extension cover which simply attaches to the standard bellyband passing between the hind legs and attaching to the rear of the rug. Being detachable it is easy to remove and wash. We can also make front legs. These cover the front leg to the knee. At present we cannot do anything for rear legs however, our rug is generously cut at the rear to cover the rear thigh area.

Can you recommend any creams or shampoo?

We recommend Net-Tex Sweet Itch Salve Complete. This contains benzyl benzoate, tea tree oil, calamine lotion, D.E.E.T, peppermint oil, allantoin plus other natural extracts. It has been tried and tested on all types of horses and ponies in all environments and we have found it an excellent accompaniment to the Sweet Itch Body. It covers the areas the Sweet Itch Body doesn't. We can advise on various shampoos and supplements or you may like to telephone Indian Herbs Equine on 01249 760664.

Do they take long to dry when they've got wet? Do they stretch?

Being a man-made fabric it will dry incredibly quickly with your horse's body heat. The hood should not stretch - if stretching has occurred please contact us.

Do you do gift vouchers?

Yes we do.

I've heard I can use a product to make my Turn Out Hood waterproof – what is it and where can I purchase it?

We recommend Nik-Wax, contact your local saddler.

How can I find the different designs you do?

We can send you a brochure together with requested fabric swatches.

 

Fitting and Washing Instructions

·         Before putting on the hood or rug make sure that the horse/pony is clean and scurf free. (Preferably after a bath)

·         Put on the hood first, pulling over the nose, up over the ears, down the neck and fastening with the surcingle behind the elbow, around the girth. (Remember to loop the surcingle through the elastic strap on the chest) The surcingle should be tight! (to anchor the hood in place prevent hood sliding forward) When the horse puts it head down the hood should not come over the wither.

·         If you have a zip, bunch up the hood, pass the entire hood over the head and fit into place before doing up the zip.

·         Pass the rug over the head, put in place making sure that it covers the entire body. Pass belly strap between the front legs and Velcro behind the elbow and in front of the stifle, ensuring that the belly is completely covered. Pull forwards the excess fabric of the hood so it is not trapped under the rug.

·         The tail guard can then be fitted around the tail.

·         Make sure that the horse/pony is comfortable before turning out. Once comfortable, there is no need to remove the hood/rug except for when using horse or washing. Some customers even ride in them!

·         We do recommend that Snuggy Hoods and Rugs be washed in the washing machine regularly (at least once a fortnight!) so as to prevent the build up of grease and grime. Do check the mane saver and tail guard for grease regularly. Remember to do up your Velcro before washing!!

·         After washing, the body can be put back on the horse/pony damp. It will dry a lot quicker and will prolong the fabric life.