To Rug, Or Not To Rug?
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We love to rug up our horses, making sure they're warm and cosy in their stable or field but, do they really need it on? Before reaching for that beautiful rug, you need to consider your horse's breed, weight, age, workload, natural coat type and if your horse has been clipped.
Horses that live out are used to colder weather and cope better with cooler temperatures than horses that spend more time stabled. Below we have created a simple guidance table to help you decide what is best for your horse (scroll sideways for more info):
Temperature | Stabled/Clipped | Stabled/Unclipped | Turned Out Clipped | Turned Out Unclipped |
15 Degrees & Warmer | Zero Fill | Nothing | Nothing | Nothing |
10 to 15 Degrees | Light Weight (100g) or Zero Fill | Nothing or Zero Fill | Nothing or Light Weight (100g) or Zero Fill if wet & windy | Nothing |
5 to 10 Degrees | Medium Weight (250g) | Light Weight (150g) | Light Weight (150g) plus Neck Cover | Nothing or Light Weight (100g) |
0 to 4 Degrees | Heavy Weight (300g) | Medium Weight (200g) | Medium Weight (200g) with Neck Cover | Nothing or Light/ Medium Weight (150-250g) |
-10 to 0 Degrees | Heavy weight (300-400g) with Neck Cover |
Medium Weight (200-300g) with Liner |
Heavy weight (300-400g) with Neck Cover plus Liner |
Light or Medium Weight (150-300g) with Neck Cover |
-10 or Colder | Heavyweight (300-500g) with Neck Cover plus Liner | Medium or Heavy Weight (300-400g) with Neck Cover | Heavy Weight (300-500g) plus Liner and/or Under Blanket and Hood | Heavy weight (300-500g) plus Neck Cover |