Bucas | Size Guides | Houghton Country
Bucas Size Charts and Fitting Advice
Bucas has been making horse rugs since 1981, founded Cork Ireland. Bucas have built a reputation of creating performance turnouts with desirable technology to keep horses comfortable and owners as stress-free as possible about the rugging choices.
How to measure your horse for a Bucas Rug
Bucas recommends that the horse be measured from (A) the centre point of the chest, over the high point of the shoulder, and then to (B) the rear of the hind leg. When you have the measurement, choose the nearest size from the table below.
Bucas also provide the EU measurement which is from the top of the horse's withers to the top of the tail in cm.
Bucas Turnout rugs are suitable for all types of horses but the shoulder dart is particularly useful for wider horses.
Some horse rugs in the Bucas range are sized as Small, Medium, Large and X/Large such as the Buzz-Off Riding rug, the Quater sheet and the Rain protector.
Bucas recommend that if your horse is between sizes you may be better off getting the smaller size, as the larger size might move around more and end up pulling the rug backwards.
Combi Neck
To give your horse added protection from the weather, Bucas make Combi necks that attach to their turnout rugs.
Washing & Caring for your Bucas Rugs
Bucas products may be machine washed at a maximum temperature of: 30ºC / warm wash (86ºF), gentle cycle. Do not use fabric softener. Air Dry only and do not tumble dry. Use only Bucas Rug Wash for products with waterproof fabric. Household detergents may damage or destroy the waterproof coating. Do not dry clean.
Tips for Washing your Bucas Rug
Before placing your Bucas rug into the washing machine, close all hook and loop straps as the rug can stick to it and any dirt that is in the machine will stick to it.
Clip up any surcingles so that they are not left flapping around in the machine.
If washing your Bucas cooler make sure to brush off any additional bedding or dirt off the rug, this will help the rug come out even cleaner!
Don’t wash your Bucas products over 30°C as this may affect the performance of your Bucas product!
Make sure to use the Bucas Rug Wash for washing all your Bucas products.
It’s always advisable to reproof your waterproof rugs after washing.
Keep your waterproof product functioning correctly by using Bucas Rug Conditioner after washing.
If you have any small nicks or tears to your Bucas rug, we recommend using ourBucas repair kit. This kit will provide you with the necessary aids to repair these small tears.
Bucas Rugs Technical Information & Features
Turnout - Waterproof and Breathable
Waterproofing: >5000mm Hydrostatic head
Breathability: >3000 g/24h/m²
Breathable
Turnouts have a breathability: >3000g/24h/m²
Bucas use mesh and lightweight fabrics on their coolers and fly rugs for added breathability.
Antibacterial Lining
The anti-bacterial lining helps to keep the rug fresh and eliminates odours
Anti-Insect
Designed to repel insects
Fillet String
The fillet string helps to prevent the rug from flipping up your horses' back while they relax in their field.
Deluxe Filet String
On some of their Turnouts Bucas have Deluxe Filet Strings that have a PU coating so they can be wiped clean.
Shoulder Darts
Bucas use Shoulder Darts to help give your horse a more tailored fit across the chest and shoulder area. It is a signature of Bucas Rugs and what makes them so useful for wide horses.
Ballistic Nylon, 1680 Denier - Turnout Rugs
Ballistic nylon is extremely durable, made using a very tight-knit, "ballistic weave" that is particularly tight and dense 2x2 basket weave for increased durability. This is a half panama weave that is tear-resistant in all directions.
Although Bucas use 1680 ballistic nylon in their turnouts, one of the toughest materials available that are suitable for rugging, it is not indestructible. The fabric has some resistance to tear but it will not stand up to being exposed to fencing materials such as barbed wire.
Ripstop Outer - Turnout Rugs
Ripstop is the pattern of the weave that makes the material less prone to tearing. This weave helps prevent any rips that do occur from spreading through the material.
Oxford Fabric
The basket-type weave of Oxford fabric gives it durable and breathable properties. It ages well and gets softer with each use, it dries easily after washing and it has a good resistance to abrasion.
Polyester Twill
The twill weave is characterized by its diagonal lines, which are created by an offset in the wrap threads. Twill is very durable and hides stains well.
Zebra Effect
Zebra stripes have been proven to confuse and repel flies.
Research has discovered that flies hate the Zebra stripes as they find them confusing. They get disoriented by the contrast of the black and white stripes, compared to solid colours, and so tend to steer clear of them.
As seen on the Buzz-Off Zebra, Buzz-Off Zebra Rain (waterproof back panel) and Buzz-Off Sweet-itch.
Therapy
A specially formulated fabric from Bucas. The fabric reflects the naturally occurring electric magnetic fields within the body, improving circulation, helping to warm up muscles faster and promoting healing properties.
Dermo-Care
Silky Dermo-care lining with wicking properties helps to dry the horse's coat after washing or exercise, keeping the coat smooth and soft.
Stay-Dry
Sta-dry fabric wicks away moisture from your horse's skin.
Silk-Feel
Silk-feel lining is smooth against your horse's skin and helps keep the coat in good condition.
Click'N Go
Click'n Go is a special patented closure only available from Bucas. Easy to close and open but difficult for horses to manage.
Snap-Lock
Snap-lock magnetic closure keeps your Bucas rug correctly positioned on your horse. It eliminates the use of hook and loop closures on the chest making it a more comfortable fit for your horse.
T-Bar
T-Bar front closures to keep your Bucas rug securely fastened to your horse.
Sun Reflective
Sun reflective silver outer to keep your horse comfortable in hot weather.
Anti-UV
Bucas have anti-UV in their fly rugs and the Sun Shower turnout to help protect your horse from harmful UV rays and to help prevent coat bleaching.
| BUCAS RUG STYLE | UV PROTECTION |
SWEET ITCH | 99% |
| SWEET ITCH ZEBRA | 99% |
| SWEET ITCH X LIGHT | 85% |
| BUZZ OFF | 75% |
| BUZZ OFF RAIN | 85% |
| BUZZ OFF ZEBRA | 75% |
| BUZZ OFF ZEBRA RAIN | 85% |
| BUZZ OFF X | 75% |
| FREEDOM FLY | 60% |
Heat Reflective
Heat-reflective rugs help to reflect the sunlight, preventing the rug from absorbing the heat and heating up the horse.
Layering System
Bucas Quilts and Coolers can be used under Turnouts as an extra layer of insulation.
Big Neck
Big Neck style is a great fit for stallions and breeds of horses that tend to be wider across the shoulders like Connemara, Friesians, Andalusians and Draughts.
Cross Surcingles
Bucas use adjustable cross surcingles on the majority of their rugs.
Three Belly Surcingles
Used on some styles of rugs the three belly surcingles offer a secure and adjustable fastening that allows you to customise fit.
Belly Pad
Found on a number of Fly Rug styles the Belly pad offers extra coverage that can help to protect from flies and insects.
Pony Sizes
Available from size 3'6"/85cm to fit ponies.
Bucas Turnout Rug Temperature Ranges
Bucas have a slightly different way of giving their warmth rating to a horse rug as due to their construction they have a wider range of suitable temperatures than some other rugs.
The temperature range given by Bucas is average while the actual range depends on many factors, including if the horse is clipped or unclipped, the strength of the sun, the humidity of conditions, the amount of wind and exposure and how active the horse is.
Smartex Turnout
The Smartex range is considered the most versatile turnout rugs on the market. 1680 denier Ballistic Nylon Outer.
The Smartex range can be put on a wet horse after exercise or washing and the stay-dry lining that wicks moisture away moisture, drying your horse while the linin remains dry next to your horse's skin.
The Smartex Rain is essentially the Smartex Lightweight.
The Smartex Rain has a Stay-dry fleece lining.
The Smartex Medium has a Stay-dry fleece with 150g of insulation.
The Smartex Extra has a stay-dry fleece lining and 300g insulation.
There is a Combi Neck in two weights:
Smartex Combi Neck - Light that has a Stay-Dry fleece lining.
Smartex Combi Neck 300 - 300g insulation
Power Turnout
The Power Turnout is offers strength, durability and quality that is suitable for a wide range of temperatures with an Aluminium inner coating that reflects body heat and a silver outer to reflect sunlight.
1680 denier Ballistic Nylon Outer.
The Power Turnout Light has a Stay-Dry Lining.
The Power Turnout Medium has a Stay-dry Lining and 150g insulation.
The Power Turnout Extra has a Stay-Dry Lining and 300g insulation.
In the Power range there are two weights of Combi Neck:
The Power Combi Neck with a stay-dry lining.
The Power Combi Neck 300 with a stay-dry lining and 300g insulation.
Atlantic Turnout
The Atlantic Turnout is a durable and robust turnouts across a wide range of temperatures. 1680 denier Ballistic Nylon outer.
Atlantic Turnout 50g has Dermo-care and 50g of insulation
Atlantic Turnout 200g has Dermo-care and 200g of insulation.
Atlantic Turnout 400g has Dermo-care and 400g of insulation.
There are two weights of Combi necks available:
Atlantic Combi Neck has Dermo-care and 50g insulation.
Atlantic Combi 300 Neck has Dermo-care and 300g insulation.
Irish Turnout
The Irish Turnout has a 1200 denier polyester ripstop outer for a high performance rug at great price.
Irish Turnout 50g has Silk-feel lining and 50g of insulation
Irish Turnout 200g has Silk-feel lining and 200g of insulation.
Irish Turnout 400g has Silk-feel lining and 400g of insulation.
There are two weights of Combi necks available:
Irish Combi Neck has a Silk-feel lining and stay-dry inter lining.
Irish Combi 300 Neck has a Silk-feel lining and 300g insulation.
Sun Shower
This lightweight is designed for warmer weather with a lighter 840 denier nylon outer, mesh lining and a sun-reflecting colour.
The Sun Shower has a mesh waffle lining and breathable nylon outer.
There is a Sun Shower Combi Neck has a breathable nylon outer.
What are the differences between styles of Bucas Fly Rugs?
The Buzz-Off and Sweet-Itch ranges are available in blue/silver, which reflects the sun and keeps the horse cool. The Zebra Stripe versions have a pattern which is proven to deter flies.
Buzz Off & Buzz Off Zebra fly rugs are made with a specially developed lightweight fine mesh that helps keep flies from the coat and skin.
Buzz Off Rain & Buzz Off Zebra Rain are designed with a sun show top section to help keep your horse dry in showery weather, with a Buzz Off mesh lower section helping to keep good airflow.
Sweet Itch & Sweet Itch Zebra are made with durable closed fabric to help block the entry from even the smallest of insects.
Freedom Flysheet is an economical mesh fly sheet released in seasonal colours.
