With so many options of horse rugs on the market it’s easy to get overwhelmed with what you really need in your horse’s wardrobe. Newer rugs with more technical features offer crossover functions too, adding to the confusion! If you’re in a pickle about which rugs you need, here are the basics we would recommend which are useful for all horses…
Zero-gram/no fill turnout rug - often referred to as a “sheet”, this is a thin waterproof rug which doesn’t have any fill so won’t provide any warmth. This rug is essential for wet, mild days and will save heaps of time rather than waiting for your horse to dry or brushing off mud/dirt before riding. Lightweight/100G turnout rug - used when the weather drops colder, a 100G waterproof turnout rug offers some additional warmth for your horse as well as improved protection from the elements. Depending on your horse’s type/breed, condition, health and whether or not he is clipped, a lightweight rug may be warm enough for your horse through most seasons. Medium weight/200G turnout rug - unless your horse is fully clipped, feels the cold, struggles to maintain condition or if the weather is especially harsh, a 200G rug should be sufficient for cold winter weather. Fly rug - through the summer months a fly rug will give your horse relief from irritating and biting insects as well as preventing allergic reactions to bites. Some styles of fly rug will also offer UV protection and prevent the sun from bleaching your horse’s coat. A fleece or cooler rug - this is a versatile, multi-functional rug which is essential to your horse’s wardrobe. Coolers and fleeces are made from breathable fabrics which are moisture-wicking, drawing any sweat or moisture out of the coat. Use this rug after bathing or when sweaty to speed drying, to warm the muscles/prevent the muscles from cooling too quickly pre- and post-exercise and to keep your horse clean and comfortable. Cooler rugs are good for summer use while fleeces are only really suitable for winter.
Do I need a stable rug?
It’s all personal preference. Many horse owners will just use turnout rugs in the stable for convenience rather than swapping to a stable rug. If your horse comes in from the field with a wet rug but feels dry and warm underneath it’s handy to leave the rug on - it will dry much more quickly if left on the horse.
You might prefer to swap to a clean stable rug overnight, and it’s an easy way to up the weight and therefore warmth of your horse’s rug when the temperature drops. Your horse can’t move around as much to warm up when stabled, so a thicker rug is essential for freezing winter nights.
