How To Choose The Best Turnout Rug | Rugging Guide
|
|
Time to read 3 min
|
|
Time to read 3 min
When the temperatures drop and winter arrives, it can often be difficult to determine which rugs a horse needs to wear for optimum warmth, comfort and weather protection.
Every horse has different rugging needs and there’s a range of factors to consider when choosing rugs, including your horse’s age, breed, coat condition and living environment. To help you decide which turnout rug is best for your horse, this handy guide is filled with helpful tips and things to consider when choosing winter rugs.
What is a horse turnout rug?
Available with varying weights, turnout rugs provide a waterproof layer and a level of warmth to keep your horse dry and comfortable during turnout. They come with a standard, combo or detachable neck and feature a breathable lining that aids air flow and helps prevent overheating. There are three weights of turnout rugs to choose from:
Lightweight Turnout Rugs
Created with a filling ranging from 0g to 50g and a waterproof outer, lightweight turnout rugs are designed for horses that need a light layer to keep them dry in wet weather. In winter, lightweight turnout rugs are often most suitable for hardy or unclipped horses that need waterproof protection when the weather is changeable.
When rain showers are forecast, lightweight protection from wet weather can be provided with the Highlander Original Lite Turnout Rug as it has 0g of filling, a waterproof 600 denier ripstop outer and taped seams. Additional comfort on rainy days is offered by the Tempest Original Air Motion Combo Rug as it features a combo neck and Air Motion technology that reduces moisture build up and keeps the horse cool.
Mediumweight Turnout Rugs
Mediumweight turnout rugs come with 100-200g of filling and are ideal for horses that need some extra warmth during winter turnout. Useful for cooler temperatures, this weight of turnout rug is a winter essential for many equines, including clipped horses and those that benefit from cold weather protection.
For horses that need a turnout rug with 100g of filling, the Highlander Original 100 Combo Turnout Rug is an ideal choice as it gives a layer of warmth and excellent freedom of movement. Alternatively, the warmth of 200g of filling and a detachable neck can be provided with the Highlander Plus 200 Turnout Rug & Neck Set which comes in horse and pony sizes.
Heavyweight Turnout Rugs
When the coldest days of winter arrive, heavyweight turnout rugs can be a great option to switch to when rugging. Made with a filling of 300g or more, heavyweight turnout rugs provide an excellent barrier for protection against rain, cold and snow.
A perfect choice for cold weather, the Highlander Original 300 Turnout Combo Rug is made with 300g of filling to help horses stay warm and comfortable during winter turnout.
Top tip: Having a range of rugs in your horse’s winter wardrobe can help ensure you’re able to adjust the level of warmth provided according to changes in temperatures and weather conditions.
What is a rug liner?
Rug liners, also known as under rugs, help make turnout rugs more versatile as they can be used to add or remove weight. Easy to use and available with 100g or 200g of filling, the WarmaRug Turnout Rug Liners are a great choice for winter as they are compatible with the Tempest Original, Tempest Plus and Highlander Original standard or combo rugs.
Top tip: Over or under rugging can affect the comfort of your horse, so it’s important to regularly check their body warmth. One way to check this is to place your hand up under your horse’s rug to see whether they’re chilly or hot and sweaty. If your horse doesn’t feel comfortable, this is an indicator that you need to adjust the weight of rug used.
How to measure for a turnout rug
Once you’ve determined the type and weight of rugs your horse needs for winter, it’s time to measure and check which rug size is needed. European sizes, measured in cm, are the length measured from the top of the horse’s withers to the tail. UK, USA and Australian sizes, measured in inches or feet, are the length of the horse’s body from the centre of the chest to the rear.
Top tip: Always check the fit of your horse’s new rugs as an ill-fitting rug can slip, restrict movement or cause rubs and sores. A rug should fit well over the withers and the shoulders without being too tight. Once fastened, there should be enough room to fit your hand down the front as this will mean the rug is not too tight or too loose.
