FAQ's
Q. How do I know if my horse's hood/rug fits correctly?
The team at Snuggy Hoods are here to help you with any queries regarding fit, usage, wear and tear, repairs & alterations. If you need help or advice please call (+441225 783399) us or email sales@snuggyhoods.com.
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. If you are in doubt, please contact us before leaving your horse unattended.
Q. I’ve forgotten my username and/or my password, what can I do?
Your username will be the e-mail address you used when you placed a previous order.
Your password can be sent to you, click on the sign-in link at the top of the homepage and you will see an area asking you to enter your email address if you have forgotten your password. Submit your email address and your password will be emailed to you.
Q. How should I wash my Snuggy rugs and hoods?
Our hoods and rugs MUST be washed in a washing machine at 40 degrees to remove grease and dirt, but please do not tumble dry. Remember to fasten any Velcro before washing to avoid hair and ‘bits’ getting stuck in the sticky velcro! Standard fabric detergent and softener are recommended. We recommend you wash regularly used hoods and rugs at least every 14 days to avoid grease build up on the inside. This will be more comfortable for your horse and will prolong the life of the fabric.
Q. Will the hairs clog my machine?
If you are concerned about this you can purchase the Snuggy 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.
Q. 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 affected by this problem in the past. We cannot guarantee our hoods will stop this happening, though it may help – we highly recommend the Headless Turn Out Hood for winter mane protection and the Sweet Itch Headless Hood for summer mane protection. We recommend using a rug without a neckpiece or 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. To keep mane loss to a minimum we advise using a rug without a neckpiece or just use a rug neck on very wet or especially cold days. Grease can also cause rubbing so ensure that the hood is washed in the machine at least once a fortnight.
Q. 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.
Q. 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. This is assuming the Hood is the right size and fitted correctly. If you need sizing or fitting advice please contact us before using the Snuggy garment.
We don't recommend Lycra Hoods or Rugs are used in the field as they are not weather proof and will be easily damaged. Fleece Hoods are fine for outdoor use if the field/grass is completely dry.
Q. Are your hoods waterproof?
Our Turn Out Hood, Headless Hood, Sweet Itch Mask, Winter Under Rug, Sweet Itch Hood/ Rug and Bug Body are all heavy shower proof. The fabric is coated with a water repellent element when made. The horse can stand out in a rain shower and should come in with only a few damp spots. You can also use a product such as NikWax Polar Proof to improve the water repellence if required.
Q. What happens if I buy the wrong size?
We are more than happy to exchange the item if returned within 14 days in new condition with all original packaging. A pre-paid Royal Mail returns label is provided for all non-sale items/orders. Please see our terms & conditions for full details. All sale items/orders are to be returned at the customer’s expense. We don’t charge additional postage for exchanges so the cost from Snuggy Hoods back to the customer is covered by us.
Q. How do I know if it’s a perfect fit?
We enclose instructions with every hood/rug as a guide and we are also available to answer questions by email. Please refer to the relative product photos on our website and each product has a product video to help you assess the size/fit. For us to advise directly whether a hood or rug is the correct size it is essential for us to see photos before the item is used. Please email the photos to sales@snuggyhoods.com. Clear, side view photos are needed, showing the whole hood or rug including (hoods only) one photo showing the horse/pony eating from the ground.
Q. My horse’s Hood/Head has slipped – what do I do?
The most common reasons for a Hood to move is either it has been fitted incorrectly or is not the right size. A Hood can also slip/move if caught on something or pulled by another horse. We are happy to help check the fit of a Hood/Rug if there is a problem. Just take come clear photographs, side view with head up and head down and email to sales@snuggyhoods.com with details of the issue and your contact details. In most cases problems with fit can be solved quickly with a simple alteration or two but we are here and happy to help with any size/fit issues.
Q. Do they need to be removed everyday?
Your hood need only be removed when you are using your horse or for washing. This is providing the size/fit is correct and your horse is checked daily and comfortable.
Q. 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. Comfort will depend on the size/fit being correct and the garment being kept clean and checked regularly.
Q. Will my horse get hot in warmer weather?
Sweet Itch Hoods, Rugs, Heads and Bug Bodies are made from a lightweight, fully breathable fabric so are suitable for use in all climates keeping your horse cool and comfortable. If your horse is not used to wearing ‘clothes’ in the hotter months you may find it takes a short while for them to adapt to being covered up. Leave the Hood/Rug/Body on to allow the horse time to adjust. You may find he sheds an extra layer of summer coat to compensate leaving a beautiful shiny summer coat!
Q. 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?
Our Hoods are self-fixing with no rug attachments. They have soft elastic around the nose (except the Shiny Show Hood) 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.
Q. Why are they so expensive compared to others I’ve seen advertised by other companies?
Snuggy Hoods are not the same as other material hoods on the market. They have been designed by a family-run business for 25 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.
Q. Will my horse get too hot in the summer with it on?
The fabric is fully breathable so will not retain heat; horses/ponies should remain cool, calm, comfortable and insect free whilst wearing our summer hoods, rugs and accessories. However, we would recommend that your horse be brought in to a cooler building (stable/barn/shelter) on an exceptionally hot day, whether wearing a rug or not. We do recommend you give your horse a week to adapt to using our rug. He will shed a layer of coat and some horses feel warmer whilst adapting but this will only last for a few of days. Horses are amazing at acclimatisation!
Q. What material is the Sweet Itch/Bug Body made of and how does it work?
This clever, unique fabric is lightweight and fully breathable yet hard-wearing enough to be worn in the field to prevent flies and midges biting, and the horse from damaging itself from rubbing. The fabric is easy to wash and repair. It is not scientifically tested to be UV proof but we know that it will stop coat bleaching and sun burn so it does filter the majority of harmful UV rays to protect your horse or pony.
Q. My horse has severe sweet itch and seems to rip everything we put on him. Will your rugs damage easily?
The summer fabric is durable but if the horse catches it on something sharp or protruding it may rip. Also, it will not stand up to barbed wire or blackthorn for example. We understand that a lot of people do not have perfect fencing but recommend that customers electrify their field to prevent the horse being able to scratch if barbed wire is present to minimise fabric damage. General rolling, rubbing and playing should not result in damage. All of our products are easy to repair, we can provide spare fabric pieces and Velcro to customers free of charge via the post. We also offer a fantastic ‘in house’ repair service for all Snuggy garments.
Q. Do they take long to dry when they’ve got wet? Do they stretch?
Being a water repellent, man-made fabric it will dry incredibly quickly with your horse’s body heat. The hoods/rugs should not stretch – if stretching has occurred please contact us.