Sarah-Jane White Are you a horse owner thinking about buying a horse rug? If you haven’t bought one before, you might be wondering about the best way to buy the right-fitting rug, and which type is best for your horse.
Horse rugs are needed to keep your horse’s temperature at an optimal level, they can also protect them from insects and unwanted flies. And with the advances in technology over recent years, horse rugs are at their most popular and are of very high quality with a range of horse rugs available.
Read on to find out why you should get one and how to choose the right type and size.
Why Do I Need a Horse Rug?
Horse rugs are lightweight, comfortable rugs which protect horses from the cold, wind, and rain, as well as unwanted bugs and flies. They have grown in popularity in recent years due to the advancement of technology in the industry.
Buying your horse a comfortable rug to keep them warm and protected will give you peace of mind and with a variety of types available you can get one for all weather conditions.
Which Type Do I Need?
Over the changing seasons, you may need a range of different horse rugs. This is due to the change in weather, you need to make sure your horse’s body temperature is maintained at a consistent 38ºc.
Turnout Rugs
For when your horse is out in the field, turnout rugs will keep them warm and dry. Featuring a waterproof layer and polyester inside, there is extra warmth for the winter.
You can also find lightweight or medium weight rugs which are more appropriate for autumn and spring.
These types also have standard necklines which can be detached for your preference.
Stable Rugs
This type of rug is ideal for when your horse is in the stables but there’s still a chill in the air, it will keep your horse warm and clean. For older horses, it might be a good idea to order a stable rug to keep them cosy. These aren’t waterproof, so they shouldn’t be used outside in case it begins to rain.
Cooler Rugs
These types of rugs are for cooling horses down after exercising such as long walks and racing.
Exercise Sheets
For comfort whilst riding, exercise sheets are used to protect your horse during walks. They come in a range of different styles. You can get waterproof versions, and others are fleece lined for the colder months.
You can also get high visibility or reflective exercise sheets if you’re out when it’s dark.
Fly Rugs
Avoid nasty insect bites with fly rugs, protecting your horse from unwanted flies and insects. This is more common in the summer, so buying one for this time of year is essential to prevent serious health issues from bites.
You can even buy fly rugs which use technology to deter flies, such as using fly repellent in the mesh of the rug.
Measure Your Horse
To make sure you get the right-sized horse rug, you should measure your horse before making an order. To measure your horse, place the tape measure in the middle of your horse’s chest and take it around the shoulders, along the side to the back where the rug should finish. You can then take the inches and divide by 12. This will give you the rug size.
Here are the steps you should take to make sure it fits correctly:
- The rug should sit around 2-4 inches ahead of the withers on your horse, so it sits comfortably around the shoulders. Check there is no rubbing and that you can place your hand down the front.
- Check the back in the same way, making sure it reaches the top of the horse’s tail. If it’s too long or short against the tail, this can cause injuries.
- Check the surcingles and leg straps (where appropriate). Make sure they are not too tight or too long as this can cause accidents, uncomfortable rubbing, or restriction.
Keep Them Cosy
Purchasing horse rugs is the best way to keep your horse cosy and safe from unwanted bites. There are a variety of styles you can choose from to suit the weather and the activity. But remember to measure and fit your horse rug correctly, or it can cause painful issues and even injuries.
You can also pair them with a range of rug accessories for further comfort.
