| There are many different types of horse rugs, | | | | provided by the horse's coat and by the rug are |
| with various characteristics and functions. | | | | both reduced, unless they have a rain resistant |
| Therefore, the first step to choosing a horse rug | | | | cover. |
| is to decide which type you require for your | | | | - Health and Age. Horses which are young, strong |
| horse. To assist you in this decision, following is a | | | | and healthy have less requirement for a warming |
| list of the main types of rugs and an explanation | | | | rug than ones which are not. On a cold day, it |
| of their function: | | | | may make sense to put a heavy turnout rug on |
| - Fly Rug. The purpose of this is to protect the | | | | a sick or old horse, when a younger horse in the |
| horse from flies that bite or sting. They are more | | | | same field may be fine with a light turnout rug or |
| commonly and accurately referred to as 'fly | | | | no rug at all. |
| sheets' rather than 'fly rugs', as they are typically | | | | - Thickness of coat. A horse with a thick coat will |
| a thin plastic sheet or mesh, rather than a fabric | | | | have less need for a rug than one which has a |
| rug. One can also get 'fly masks', which are made | | | | fine coat, or which has been clipped. |
| out of the same material and are intended to | | | | - Exhibiting. A horse with a thick coat generally |
| protect the head (especially the eyes and ears) | | | | does not look as attractive (in the eyes of most |
| from flies. As they are a thin sheet they provide | | | | people) as one which has a thinner coat. |
| little warmth or insulation, although some can | | | | Consequently, horses being exhibited usually have |
| provide protection from wind and rain. | | | | a rug which is warm enough to discourage growth |
| - Turnout rugs. These are intended to provide | | | | of their winter coat. Such coats are relatively |
| insulation (warmth), to protect horses when they | | | | heavy for the horse's circumstances, as they |
| are outside. The amount of warmth depends | | | | need to replace the insulation provided by the |
| largely on the amount of insulation, which is | | | | natural winter coat rather than merely supplement |
| typically measured in terms of weight rather than | | | | it. Likewise, summer sheets and show rugs are |
| thickness. Consequently, rugs with a moderate | | | | for the needs of the exhibitor rather than the |
| amount of insulation are referred to as | | | | horse. |
| Lightweight Turnout Rugs, while those intended | | | | - Number of rugs. The above factors will |
| for maximum warmth are known as Heavy | | | | determine the number of rugs required. For |
| Turnout Rugs. Some turnout rugs are resistant or | | | | example, a young and healthy horse in a mild |
| impervious to rain. | | | | climate may not require a rug at all and may be |
| - Coolers. Although they may look like some | | | | happier without one. In a colder climate, a healthy |
| turnout rugs, their purpose is quite different. They | | | | horse may need only a light rug to be used during |
| are intended to help the horse dry by 'wicking' | | | | the coldest days. An elderly or sick horse may |
| moisture away from its coat, and at the same | | | | need multiple rugs, depending on the situation (e.g. |
| time protecting the horse from cooling while wet | | | | uninsulated waterproof coat for summer rain, |
| (a wet horse can quickly become chilled if it is | | | | lightweight turnout rug for autumn or spring, and |
| exposed to cold and/or wind while it has a wet | | | | a heavy turnout rug for winter). Once one has |
| coat). They are typically used after exercise, | | | | decided on the type of rug plus (in the case of |
| when the weather is cool or windy, and removed | | | | warming rugs) the required weight, one can then |
| once the horse has dried off. These are also | | | | look at the materials, quality and features which |
| known as 'sweat rugs'. | | | | you may require. Some common items and |
| - Rain sheets. These are typically a thin sheet, | | | | features to consider are: |
| with little or no insulation. It is intended to keep | | | | - Antibacterial. Some rugs are treated to be |
| the horse dry and can also provide protection | | | | antibacterial. |
| from the wind. | | | | - Breathable. Breathable rugs allow sweat to |
| - Stable rugs. Also known as 'stable blankets', | | | | evaporate and air to access the coat, features |
| these are similar to turnout rugs in that they | | | | which make the rug more comfortable and |
| provide warming insulation, but are intended to be | | | | healthier. |
| used when the horse is stabled rather than when | | | | - Coverage. Rugs generally cover the body. Some |
| it is outside. | | | | also have neck covers, either as part of the rug |
| - Saddle rugs. A saddle rug (also known as a | | | | or an a detachable extra. |
| 'saddle pad') is placed under the saddle. It provides | | | | - Friction points: Rugs can rub, especially if worn |
| cushioning between the saddle and the horse, | | | | by active horses or when the horse is working. |
| which protects the horse from the relatively hard | | | | The main points affected are typically around the |
| saddle and at the same time protects the saddle | | | | shoulders and chest. To prevent this, some rugs |
| from being rubbed down by the horse. As the | | | | have anti-friction fabric at these points to allow |
| horse tends to sweat under the saddle rug, due | | | | the rug to easily slide and move without rubbing |
| to the combination of exercise and the warming | | | | the coat. |
| insulation provided by the saddle rug, some have | | | | - Hooks, loops, buckles, straps and attachments. |
| built in 'wicking' materials to help remove the | | | | These should be strong, easily opened and closed, |
| sweat from the coat. | | | | and firmly attached. |
| - Show rugs. A show rug is placed between the | | | | - Insulation. The amount of insulation is typically |
| saddle and the saddle rug. It is a relatively thin but | | | | expressed in grams per square meter. For |
| colourful rug whose main function is look | | | | example, a '300g' rug has 300 grams of insulation |
| attractive. As it has little or no other practical | | | | per square meter of rug. The actual rug will weigh |
| purpose, it is typically used only during exhibitions | | | | more than this, as this is only the weight of the |
| or competitions. | | | | insulation itself and does not include the weight of |
| - Summer rugs. More commonly known as | | | | fabric, straps or buckles. In general, the heavier |
| 'summer sheets', these are thin sheets intended | | | | the weight, the warmer the rug. However, this is |
| to keep dirt off of the horse's coat (e.g. if it rolls | | | | not a precise measurement as there are different |
| or lies down). | | | | types of insulation, which vary in terms of quality |
| - New Zealand rugs. A turnout rug which is made | | | | and effectiveness. |
| of waxed canvas. It provides limited warmth but | | | | - Rain. A rug may be unsuitable for rain, or be rain |
| protects well from wind and rain (provided that it | | | | resistant, or rain proof. |
| is re-waxed as required) and is relatively resistant | | | | - Tear Resistant or Rip Stop. Rugs may use |
| to damage due to the strong canvas material. | | | | fabrics or weaves which are resistant to tearing, |
| - Riding rugs. It provides protection from the | | | | and in the event of a tear resist the tear |
| weather but is designed to be worn by the horse | | | | becoming larger. |
| when it is being ridden. Of these various types of | | | | - Washing. Machine washable rugs are more |
| horse rugs, perhaps the most commonly used is | | | | convenient. |
| the turnout rug. The most important factor when | | | | - Wicking. Remove sweat and moisture from the |
| choosing this type of rug is to select a rug of the | | | | coat. Once you have decided on the above, your |
| appropriate warmth. Keep in mind that a horse | | | | requirements should be well defined in terms of |
| which is too hot can be as uncomfortable as one | | | | type of rug, amount of warmth required and the |
| which is too cold. Furthermore, a rug will | | | | various features which you would like. At this |
| discourage the growth of the coat and if too | | | | point, it is mainly down to quality and price. As in |
| warm will actually result in the horse shedding its | | | | most things, you get what you pay for, so the |
| coat. Consequently, it is important both that the | | | | better quality rugs are correspondingly more |
| rug is heavy enough to provide necessary | | | | expensive. If your budget is limited, or you will |
| warmth but as the same time is not too warm. | | | | only use the rug infrequently, then an inexpensive |
| The warmth which an individual horse requires will | | | | rug may be appropriate. However, if your horse |
| depend on various factors: | | | | will be using the rug frequently, it is usually worth |
| - Weather. On a cold winter day, one will need a | | | | investing in a better quality rug which will last. In |
| warmer (heavier) turnout rug than on a cool | | | | addition, if your horse is active or frequently rolls, |
| autumn or spring day. If there is wind, additional | | | | it is important to choose a sturdy rug which can |
| protection is required due to the wind chill factor. | | | | resist this use. |
| Likewise, if there is heavy rain, the insulation | | | | |