| ange of horse rugs available in the market is vast. | | | | often colder than one that is turned out! With limited |
| Making a choice can be a daunting task to a new | | | | exercise, they often feel the cold more. |
| horse owner. | | | | • Summer Sheets, generally are not |
| Having a variety of rugs in different weights allows for | | | | waterproof. They are used generally to keep your |
| the variations in our climate. It is distressing for a horse | | | | horse clean! |
| to sweat under a thick rug or to have too little | | | | • Coolers are used after exercise and are |
| protection from the cold and rain. | | | | useful for drying your horse. Or they can be used |
| • New Zealand rugs Once the only Turnout rug | | | | under a turnout or stable rug on cold days. |
| available. They are made from a thick canvas material | | | | There are combination rugs available in the market |
| that is waxed to provide some shower proofing; they | | | | which you can use outdoor and indoor. They are |
| can be re-waxed. They are practically indestructible as | | | | made of breathable material which will absorb the |
| they are so strong and many owners swear by them | | | | moisture. |
| for all-year-round use. | | | | Flectalon and Thinsulate material helps to retain the |
| • Heavyweight Turnout Rugs are designed for | | | | body warmth of the horse. Nylon is a very important |
| use in the winter, particularly on fine breed horses or | | | | ingredient in most horse rugs and it is chemically |
| those that have been clipped. Lots of turnout rugs are | | | | treated to make it breathable. Extra care should be |
| now made of breathable material. | | | | taken to make sure nylon used does not cause |
| • Fleeces now come in lovely bright colours, | | | | excessive friction on the horses. |
| designs and are very versatile. They can be worn as | | | | The rule of the thumb is , a stabled horse needs |
| light stable rug, travel rug or under a turnout or stable | | | | warmed rugs compared to a outdoor active horse. |
| rug for additional warmth. | | | | Often neck covers can be separately purchased to |
| • Lightweight Rugs offer adequate protection in | | | | give that extra warmth to the horse. The new |
| autumn or spring when the weather is variable and not | | | | innovations in the horse rug industry are waterproof, |
| too extreme and can also provide a solution for the | | | | magnetic and holistic rugs. |
| more hardy or thicker hair types during the winter. | | | | Performance |
| Some rugs have a fleece lining for extra warmth. | | | | For safety reasons, rugs are not designed to with |
| • Stable Rugs are available in different weights | | | | stand extreme pressure. So fabric will rip on sharp |
| and are also available from lightweight Fleeces to 12 | | | | protrusions and tear when trodden on, or if legs |
| Tog Duvets. Even if your stable is sheltered you will | | | | become entangled in straps. Better for the rug to give |
| probably need a stable rug as a stabled horse is quite | | | | than the horse's legs! |