Avoiding Horse Rug Rub Marks: Complete Fit & Prevention Guide

Avoiding Horse Rug Rub Marks: Fit, Fabrics & Comfort

Updated December 2025

For Australian horse owners seeing shoulder rub, chest rub or wither pressure, this guide explains the real reasons rub marks develop, the common misunderstandings around rug fit, and the simple adjustments that prevent 90% of cases.

Rub marks are one of the most frequently misunderstood rug issues. They often appear even when owners believe the rug “fits fine” — especially between late January and early March when horses shed their thin summer coat and begin growing a denser winter coat. During this time the coat becomes slippery, humidity increases friction, and heavier rugs magnify pressure points. Understanding these seasonal and fit-related factors helps owners prevent rubs before they start.

What Are Horse Rug Rub Marks?

• Friction patches that form on the chest, shoulders or wither.
• Usually caused by the rug’s position shifting, not the rug material itself.
• Most common during seasonal coat changes when hair is softer and more vulnerable.
• Often linked to humidity, sweating, or rugs worn for long periods without adjustment.
• Preventable with correct sizing, the right neckline, and shoulder freedom.

Why Do Rug Rub Marks Happen?

Many owners assume rub marks mean the rug is faulty or the fabric is “harsh,” but in practice, rubs almost always come back to fit, movement and coat condition — not rug defects. Here are the true causes:

• Incorrect sizing: Too small = shoulder pressure. Too large = rug slides back and pulls at the chest.
• Seasonal coat changes: Thin summer coat + new winter growth makes the coat far more sensitive.
• Extended rug wear: Any rug worn for long periods without adjustment will eventually create friction.
• Sensitive coats: Fine-coated horses may rub in heavier fly mesh or turnout rugs sooner than others.
• Individual build: High withers, prominent shoulders or a lean frame can change how a rug sits.

Like people, horses have unique shapes. Two horses wearing the same size can experience totally different pressure points. When rubs appear, the solution is nearly always found in the rug’s cut, adjustment or positioning, not the product failing.

Common Fit Problems That Cause Rub Marks

These are the issues we see most often when owners report rubbing:

• Rug slipping behind the wither: The single biggest cause of chest and shoulder rub.
• Neckline too deep: Works for very broad horses but causes problems on average or narrow builds.
• Chest straps uneven: Creates twist and friction on one side.
• Rug too large: Slips back, lifts at the front, and magnifies shoulder friction.
• Rug too small: Pulls tightly across the shoulders and wither.

How to Correct Rug Fit

If a rug is rubbing, these simple checks resolve most cases:

1. Ensure the rug sits forward over the wither — not sliding back.
2. Use the 1st or 2nd chest buckle hole. If you’re on the 3rd or 4th, the size is probably wrong.
3. Check the chest: it should be firm but not tight.
4. Leg straps should be loose enough to avoid chafing but not hanging low.
5. Surcingles should cross under the belly with a hand’s width clearance.
6. The tail flap seam should sit on top of the tail, not behind or in front.

Chest Straps: Getting It Right

Both chest straps must sit on the same buckle hole. Uneven straps cause the rug to twist or drag to one side, leading to rubbing even when the rug’s size is correct.

Tail End: Proper Length Matters

A rug hanging too far over the hindquarters is nearly always a size too big. Owners often size up “for extra length,” but this increases every measurement — chest, drop, neckline — and is a major cause of rubbing. Delzani rugs include generous tail flaps so you never need to size up for length.

Shoulder Gussets & Why They Matter

When placed correctly, gussets provide shoulder freedom and reduce friction. When placed too far forward or too shallow, they can actually create rubbing. Rugs with belly surcingles especially benefit from correct gusset placement.

How Should a Rug Fit? (At a Glance)

• Sits forward over the wither, not behind it.
• Chest buckles on 1st or 2nd hole.
• High neckline, not deep-cut.
• Belly straps adjusted with a hand’s width clearance.
• Tail flap seam sits directly on the tail.
• No slipping, twisting or shifting as the horse moves.

For full sizing instructions, see our Delzani Horse Rug Sizing Guide.

Sizing & Rug Choice Tips

Not all rugs fit the same. Winter turnout rugs with padding feel tighter than summer sheets. Layering pads or under-rugs also adds bulk and may require sizing changes. Imported rugs often use overseas measurement systems, making them fit differently compared with Australian-sized rugs. When a horse is between sizes, their build — not the number on the label — determines the best fit.

Preventing Damage to the Rug & Your Horse

Incorrect sizing not only causes rub marks — it can damage the rug or even cause a safety risk:

• Too small: Excess pressure on chest buckles and wither.
• Too large: Slipping, leg entanglement, and shoulder rub.
• Loose leg straps: A major cause of horses stepping through straps.
• Loose surcingles: Dangerous during rolling or cantering.

If you are uncertain about fit, place a cotton sheet under the rug for the first trial to check positioning without marking the new rug.

FAQs

Why does my horse get shoulder rub?
Most shoulder rub happens when a rug is too large and slides back behind the wither, pulling tightly across the chest.

Do gussets help prevent rub?
Yes — when placed correctly. Poorly placed gussets can worsen rubbing rather than prevent it.

Should I size up for extra length?
No. Oversizing increases rubbing and slippage. Choose the correct size for your horse’s build instead.

Need a better-fitting rug? Explore our premium Delzani horse rugs, designed with high necklines, ergonomic cuts and anti-rub linings.

Written by Jane Griffiths — An experienced Australian horse owner and product developer with over three decades immersed in equestrian life. Jane has spent years refining horse rugs, tack and riding apparel to better suit Australian climates. Her hands-on understanding of equine comfort inspires every design.