Do I need turnout rugs and stable rugs?
For new horse owners, or for those of us that don’t have either the money or the room for an extensive wardrobe of rugs for our horses, the number of rugs available on the market can be overwhelming! How do you know what to choose and which rugs are essential?
Rug shopping is all about personal preference and making educated choices. The main difference between turnout rugs and stable rugs is that turnout rugs are waterproof and typically made from a tougher material to withstand outdoor use whilst stable rugs are designed to only be used indoors. Turnout rugs are perfectly suitable to use both in the field and in the stable; new, more technical fabrics are breathable and comfortable for your horse to wear indoors.
You may prefer to have a stable rug to change your horse into so that it’s fresh and clean against the coat and gives you an opportunity to groom and check him over before bedding down. Changing rugs may also help prevent (or quickly spot) any rubbed or uncomfortable areas and gives your horse the opportunity to reach any niggly itchy areas.
Alternatively, keeping our horse in one rug for turnout and stabling will mean they stay warm, make yard tasks much quicker for you and give wet turnout rugs the opportunity to thoroughly dry out more quickly.
The rugs we choose ultimately depend on our horses as individuals, where they live and what suits you both as horse and owner - what suits your yard neighbour’s horse may not necessarily suit yours.
