Hoods, Bibs, Shoulder Guards & Vests

Horse Hoods & Bib’s

Our dedicated Discount Equestrian team source only the best products for our market-leading Hoods, Bibs, Shoulder Guards and Vests range!

Hoods – Horse hoods are an ideal way to keep your horse’s neck area and mane clean and help keep those perfect plaits neat and tidy. They are also an option to add extra warmth if he or she needs it.

Hoods are also a good item to use if you are training your horses mane to stay on one side. Hoods are usually made of a stretchy Lycra material or stretchy fabric which allows a more comfortable snug fit to your horse and doesn’t ride up or down as the horse moves, therefore preventing any irritation to your horse’s eye/mouth area. Hoods usually have a zip to make fitting and taking off easier (or easy as it can be!) and keep a pretty snug fit when on.

Bibs and Vests – Anti Rub Bibs, Shoulder Guards and Vests are mostly used for protection against any rubbing or irritation in the shoulder and wither areas of your Horse or Pony. Like the hoods, they are usually made of a flexible stretchy material such as Lycra but often come in a nylon or polyester material which use elasticated straps for snug fitting and extra padding and soft materials where it’s needed most, some even feature Merino wool. Check out the Lemieux Anti Rub Bib which really ticks all the boxes if rubbing is an issue.

Hoods are supposed to fit snugly against your horse’s coat in order to keep them comfortable by preventing the garment from slipping or rubbing. Often, hoods are manufactured using stretchy material, such as Lycra, to adapt to your horse’s changing condition throughout the year. Many hoods are secured with a zip for enhanced adjustability, whereas others are secured by adhesive material such as Velcro, or designed to slide gently over your horse’s head. Horse hoods can be used for several purposes, such as…

* Keeping your horse’s head and neck clean before a competition.

* Keeping your horse’s plaits in place before a competition.

* Encouraging your horse’s mane to fall on one side.

* An additional layer of warmth in cold conditions.

Bestselling hoods in our fabulous Hoods, Bibs, Shoulder Guards and Vests collection include:

Belvoir® Rug Company Show Hood – “Available in navy and violet, this nylon hood utilises Xtra-Life Lycra for extra durability. It is perfect for use before competition to aid in keeping your horse clean, for keeping their plaits in place, and for helping add shine to their coat. The Show Hood can also be used under a standard rug to prevent rubbing.”

LeMieux® Lycra Hood – “The anatomic, four-way stretch design provides ultimate fit and comfort. Features include an elasticated nose and durable Velcro fastening, with a robust neck zip and an elasticated clip closure for ease of fitting. The anatomic cut is specifically designed to contour the shoulder and chest area to maximise comfort. Eye holes are positioned so as not to ride up and interfere as your horse grazes or eats at a low level. The strong, durable YKK zips imported from Germany are covered by a sturdy zip guard, so as not to impede the movement of your horse’s head. The Hi-Grip anti-lint Velcro closure finishes under the muzzle, and is a durable alternative to standard Velcro due to its strengthened fastening properties and inability to attract debris.”

Supreme Products® Dotty Fleece Hood – “This super soft, luxury fleece hood is perfect to use for travelling, after bathing, and before competitions to keep your horse clean and in pristine condition. Featuring large eye and ear holes with a touch tape fastening under the chin, this hood guarantees a comfortable fit. You can team this hood with the other items in the Supreme Products Dotty Fleece Collection, for a stylish ‘matchy-matchy’ look! Available in rosette red and pretty pink.”

Bibs, shoulder guards and vests are perfect for horses whose size falls between rug measurements, for young horses, for horses with sensitive skin, and for horses prone to change shape throughout the year, because they protect your horse’s shoulders and chest from rugs that rub or slip. All three products tend to be made with specialist materials that offer elasticity – such as Lycra – or robust materials that protect against friction – such as nylon and polyester – or luxuriously soft materials – such as Merino wool and memory foam – to enhance your horse’s comfort. It is important that bibs, shoulder guards and vests are a close fit for your horse, to maximise your horse’s comfort and ensure the garment’s performance.

Some of the incredibly popular bibs, vests and shoulder guards available from Discount Equestrian include:

Kentucky® Horse Bib – “Ideal to protect your horse from rubbing caused by rugs. Made in one piece, this bib will fold in half on the top of the rug with the sheepskin side placed against your horse's wither for maximum comfort. Its anatomical shape will allow the bib to stay in place without need for fasteners, which makes it suitable while your horse is stabled or for travelling. Composed of memory foam, this bib adapts to your horse’s shape, enhancing its function.”

Rhinegold® Memory Foam Vest – “A smooth-finish vest to alleviate shoulder rubbing and wither pressure. Two Velcro pockets contain innovative memory foam for added comfort, which can be removed when the vest is washed.”

WeatherBeeta® Deluxe Shoulder Guard – “Designed to prevent rugs rubbing the sensitive skin on your horse’s shoulders and chest. Quilted for enhanced comfort, this shoulder guard is available in black and navy, in sizes ranging from small pony to warmblood!”

Belvoir® Rug Company Honsie – “The innovative, versatile Honsie® is an all-in-one nylon cover that utilises Xtra-Life Lycra technology to improve the longevity of its use. Perfect for keeping your horse pristinely clean prior to competition, the Honsie® also acts as a second skin under rug for keeping your horse warm in the winter.”

If you need any advice about correctly fitting a hood, bib, shoulder guard or vest to your horse, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly Discount Equestrian team – we’re always happy to help!

Don’t forget to visit other fantastic collections within our extensive Horse Rugs range, such as Turnout Rugs, Stable Rugs, and Travel Rugs.  

Here at Discount Equestrian, we are passionate about sourcing the best equestrian products at unbeatable prices. Therefore, if you report the discovery of a product available at a cheaper price from another retailer, we will strive to match the price for you (subject to Terms & Conditions)! Please visit Our Price Match Promise page for more information.