Horse Rugs

Horse Rugs

Horses can need rugs all year round for several different reasons:
Warmth and protection in the field, stable, and whilst exercising.
For protection against the elements such as rain, snow, and wind.
As a protective shield against the sun and flies.
For health and safety whilst travelling.
For health and hygiene after exercise.

Stable Rug
A horse rug that a horse will wear in the stable to keep them warm. They can be made of various materials such as wool, jute or synthetic materials, many modern rugs now come in lightweight, middleweight and heavyweight all with various oz fillings. Some stable also come with a extended neck cover, this type of rug is well suited to those who have been clipped and older horses in need of a little extra warmth.

Turnout Rug
A horse rug to be worn outside in a turnout area. It offers protection to the horse against the elements, from other horses and not forgetting the mud. Modern horse rugs are made of synthetic material which enables them to be light, breathable and waterproof. They can come in lightweight, middleweight and heavyweight, with various oz fillings to suit your horse. Some turnout rugs have D rings attached to them so that a hood or neck cover can be added when required.

Travel Rug
A horse rug a horse wears during travelling in a lorry or trailer. It offers protection to the horse whilst in transit from the partitions and will also be breathable to wick away moisture should the horse sweat up. A travel rug must stay securely in place when the horse is in transit so any travel rug should have a secure front closure and surcingle straps.

Summer Sheet
This is a lightweight horse rug for use in the stable when temperatures are a little cold.

Cooler Rug
This is as its name suggests a rug to cool and dry your horse off. It works by drawing moisture away from the horses skin to the top surface of the rug for evaporation thus keeping the horse warm and preventing them from catching a chill.

Blanket
Usually made from wool a blanket is used as an extra layer in between other horse rugs, as they do not have buckles or surcingle straps they must be secured in
Place with a roller. To secure a blanket first put on your horses head collar and tie up to string on a tie ring then place over the horse gradually unfolding it until it covers the full length of the horse stopping just behind the horses ears then take the corner that is hanging down from the horses ears and fold it up to the withers, then take the second corner that is hanging down from the horses ear and fold that up to the withers. You should now have the blanket pointing in a triangle up to the horses ears, if you are going to place a rug on top of the blanket this is the time to do it, then simply fold the point down over the rug you have placed on top and secure with a surcingle.

Sweat Rug
This type of rug assists in the drying a horse. It is made up of lots of tiny holes (much like a sting vest). They usually have a front buckle and a surcingle strap, and allow the sweat to evaporate directly into the air wicking up only a very small amount into the rug itself. Sweat rugs are often used in conjunction with another rug on top.

Fly Rug
A rug used to protect the horse from insects and the sun. It is made up of a thin mesh of material allowing the horse to stay cool underneath but helping to protect against insects and also sun bleaching. They are fitted with a front closure and cross over surcingle and often leg straps. Fly rugs can also have a full neck or have the D rings to attach a neck cover if required. A useful addition to the fly rug is a fly mask which can cover the horses eyes, ears and muzzle offering protection around the horses sensitive areas.

Exercise Blanket
This is a rug used whilst exercising your horse whether it be ridden, lunging or lead. Exercise rugs come with girth straps and a fillet string to go under the tail making them quite secure. They can be waterproof, reflective or made of a thicker warmer material such as wool.
Which rug you will need at different times of the year will depend on what breed of horse you have, the age of the horse, the work your horse is in and how they are coping at different times of the year so monitor your horses health and rug accordingly. Some horses will need rugs all year round for one reason or another and some will manage without any!
Rug Sizes
Horse rugs come in sizes ranging from 3 ft for a foal to 7 ft 3 inch for a large horse.
How To Measure Your Horse For Rugs
To decide what size you need first tie your horse up safely, then you measure from the middle of your horses chest to the rump.
Equestrian Rugs Design:
Front Strap
Either single or double buckle at the front of the rug
Surcingle
Either a single strap that loops from the off side of the rug under the horses belly to attach to a strap on the near side of the rug or cross over surcingle straps which are attached to the offside of the rug which cross over each other underneath the horse to attach to straps on the near side of the horse.
Leg Straps
These loop in between the horses back legs.
D Rings
Allow attachment for hoods and neck covers.
Tail Guard
A flap of the rug which comes down to cover the top of the tail. As horses like to turn their hindquarters into the rain or wind, the longer the tail guard the protection it will offer.
Shoulder Gusset
Is a pleat in the rug at the shoulder area which will allow more freedom of movement.
Fillet String
A piece of material that is attached to both sides of the rear of the rug to prevent it from being lifted up over the tail.
Rip Stop Material
Usually made up of tiny squares which help prevent a rip from spreading.
Denier
The higher the number stated on the rug the tougher and more durable the thread.
Breathable
Allows moisture to be drawn away from the horses body to the outside of the rug, therefore helping to dry the horse off and preventing the horse from catching a chill.

Vest or Bib
this covers the horses chest area to help prevent the rug from rubbing.

Hood
A rug extension that covers the horses head and neck

Neck Cover
A rug extension that covers the horses neck.
Care Of Your Rug
There are now many professional rug cleaners available who will be able to wash, reproof and repair both stable and turnout rugs.
Or you can do them yourself, many of the smaller, lightweight stable rugs can go into the washing machine, or hand wash but be careful to read the washing instructions regarding your rug and use the appropriate washing powder.