Cool rug for dark horse out in day - any opinions?

[IsabelleJ]

I have a dark bay Shire/TB who has a fairly thick coat. At the moment he is on box rest, and is allowed 2 hours out in a small paddock each day (increasing to 4 hours over the next few weeks) His paddock unfortunately has no shade, and as he can only be out for 2 hours having him out overnight is not an option.

A lot of people on the yard use fly rugs, but what I am really interested in is the person with the black horse who uses a reflective rug, which helps to keep him cool. I was wondering if anyone had any opinions on this type of rug? I am going to try and get him out in the mornings when things are a bit cooler, but obviously as he increases to 4 hours out he will be out until lunchtime in the heat.

Does anyone use this type of rug and what do you think of it? Any specific makes you recommend?

Thanks for reading!

Isabelle

 

[spacefaer]

Friend of mine has a Mark Todd reflective silver rug - not sure what they're called - but it stops her black horse bleaching in the sun and he's out all day. It has a full neck cover, and he seems to keep cool

We use white heavy duty cotton turnout rugs - proper ones from New Zealand - which are AMAZING - you can put your hand under the rug at lunchtime and feel the cool air - it's like magic!

Could you clip your boy to help keep him cool as well?

 

[IsabelleJ]

I was actually thinking of maybe clipping him. I suppose it really depends how long this hot weather is going to go on for!

I have been looking at the Mark Todd rug, I've heard good reports of them.

Isabelle

 

[LadyRascasse]

i actually tested this the other day and one day my 2 were fully rugged and fly masks etc and the next day (exactly the same temperature) i just put fly masks on and they both were sweating in the evening. i have a mark todd one for the old boy and the other one has a premier equine one both seem to keep them cool to a certain degree. my mark todd one is in its 3 yr and still doing well.