Double rugging

[tye_bo]

What's your opinion on double rugging horses? In particular having 2 turnout rugs on in the field. I always wonder if they can breathe properly with 2 outdoor rugs on?

 

[vieshot]

I do it. Pony seems fine, never sweated up.

 

[Kate260881]

Yep always done it in the winter. My old boy would destroy any TO rug he had on unless it was one of those old style NZ rugs, so had to have something else on underneath. Also never sweated up or rubbed. He was totally fine.

 

[Shipley]

If I doulble rug I put a stable rug iunder the NZ and never had a problem never put two NX on TBH.

 

[JenHunt]

Modern turnout rugs are much more breathable than the old fashioned ones, and many horses are ok to be double rugged in them.

IMO however there is no need - why not just put on a thicker rug, or if you need to make the turnout warmer still, put a fleece/sheet/stable rug underneath.

 

[laura_1983]

my pony got double rugged when he lived out, always a stable rug underneath though, used to double rug a pony years ago with 2 nz's and she got rubs everywhere, depends on the horse/pony and types of rugs i think!

 

[Gingerbird]

To be honest my horse is such a tart I can't remember the last time he was either turned out or stabled wearing just one rug!!!

 

[Bossanova]

I'd much rather two NZs than an NZ and a stable rug- stable rugs arent designed to allow so much movement. They tend to slip and rub....

 

[H-J]

I just have a really thick well fitted turnout rug, or ocasionally I will put a fleece on underneath, but it doesnt rub as he has a bib on

 

[KatB]

I double rug with turnouts in very cold weather, i have a Lwt and a heavyweight which share a neck cover, and a MWt high neck, so have everything possible to cover all sorts of weather

 

[CBAnglo]

I use a fleece underneath if it is really cold and a HW is not enough. It is a bit like us - we are much warmer with lots of layers on rather than just 1 big thick jumper. Most of my rugs are actually medium weights which can be layered or used on their own.

 

[LizGooch1]

Nope my horsey came to me three weeks ago extremely hairy so no rugging for me BUT lots of mud to scrape

 

[doris2008]

My TB is double rugged in 2 turnouts. He has a medium weight full neck underneath with heavyweight rambo on top! Snug as a bug & doesn't sweat. If I put anything other than a turnout underneath they slip back & rub, then he gets cross & destroys them!!

 

[Thistle]

I don't need to, I use a HW as maximum even on clipped horses, they come in at night and get plenty of haylage. I have enough grass and my fields are well sheltered.

Guess I'm lucky.

 

[Donkeymad]

I have never even used a HW rug, I cannot imagine a need for two rugs. Horses and owners vary though. useful huh?

 

[kanter]

I am a triple rugger - does that make me a bad person? My horse wears 2 thinnish stable rus and a MW turnout 24 / 7 whether he is in or out. They never pull back, no rubs or slips and he always feels nice and warm but not too hot.

 

[charlyan]

[ QUOTE ]
I use a fleece underneath if it is really cold and a HW is not enough. It is a bit like us - we are much warmer with lots of layers on rather than just 1 big thick jumper. Most of my rugs are actually medium weights which can be layered or used on their own.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree with this theory- the layers trap air which is warmed by the horse's body, keeping them warmer for longer.
I have never felt the need to double rug though- my horse is pretty hardy and he also has a Rambo Duo with different weight liners so I just swop them around depending on the weather. He is warmer in 200g in the duo compared to his 200g Rhino turnout so I think the layering does make a difference.

Plus the duo liners clip to the outer meaning they don't slip and he never gets rubs!