First horse rug essentials

G

gallopinghooves

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 January 2025
Messages
98
Visit site
Hi everyone,

I’m buying my first horse (yay!) and I am starting to get everything I need. Although as I’m sure you all know, it’s very overwhelming.

Does anybody have a run down for which rugs I need (I live in SE England)!? There are sooo many to choose from.

Any other general tips and tricks are welcome when it comes to stocking up on supplies.

Thank you in advance!! :)
 
You actually NEED a lot less than you think ( and a lot less than I have collected over the years!)

What type of horse? eg woolly native or Tb? Although even then each horse is different in their rug requirements. Clipped or un clipped? Stabled or out?

I would say a 100g rain outer with detachable neck, and the option to add liners, gves you the most flexibility, and the liners easily wash in your washing machine. I personally find that a 0g or 50g rain sheet just flattens the coat and makes them cold, though I guess they could work with woolier horses.

ETA as long as you have a headcollar and a first aid kit, and water buckets if stabled, don't rush to buy stuff until you know your horse and what his needs are.
 
Cragrat said:
You actually NEED a lot less than you think ( and a lot less than I have collected over the years!)

What type of horse? eg woolly native or Tb? Although even then each horse is different in their rug requirements. Clipped or un clipped? Stabled or out?

I would say a 100g rain outer with detachable neck, and the option to add liners, gves you the most flexibility, and the liners easily wash in your washing machine. I personally find that a 0g or 50g rain sheet just flattens the coat and makes them cold, though I guess they could work with woolier horses.
Click to expand...
Yes I can imagine it’s very easy to get carried away! I’m going to try and stick to just the basics and necessities.

She is an Irish Sports Horse. Right now she’s not clipped but I will probably clip her eventually. I’ll be turning her out in the day, stabled at night.
Her sales livery only put her out for 30 mins a day (😓), so what she needs with me will be different to what she needed with them.

Adding the liners is great advice, thank you so much!!
 
For the basics I'd say definitely a lightweight waterproof turnout either 0 g or 50g, similarly a lightweight stable sheet, you could probably wait until the summer sales to get any heavier turnout rugs as they're not as likely to be needed now that spring is almost on the way. Then maybe a fly rug for spring and summer and a fleece or cooler for after working or to travel in.
 
As said, the most useful turnout rugs are 50 & 100gm and I was always told as a kid that you should always have a spare turnout rug in case one gets trashed (and they easily do!) If you're looking for cheap & cheerful with a good fit, Shires Tempest & Typhoon are good and can be found on Ebay for £40 odd. I don't use neck covers and would never consider one a must have unless I had a soft or clipped horse that was living out without the option of bringing in if the weather took a turn for the worst.

Lightweight stable rugs can be bought new for under £30 or found easily second had and will do the same job as an under rug/liner if needed.

Some sort of fleece or cooler, again, lots of cheap/second hand available if you're working with a budget.

So 2 turnout rugs and a stable rug are what I'd call essential/absolute minimum.
 
The only thing I'd buy to start with is a lightweight turnout, then you can see after that what else you might need- a spare rug is a good idea, but if you hold fire on buying one until you've had the horse for a month or so you can make a better informed decision as to rug weight/fit etc.
I'd be inclined to go with one that has attachments for a neck, but I wouldn't necessarily buy the neck until you know you'll use it.
The turnout can be used in the stable if required, some people don't bother with stable rugs at all and just leave turnouts on or leave the horse unrugged, others like them- but that's another decision you can make once you've had the horse a little while.
 
i have welshies, but no fill turnouts are my most used. easy to throw on over a stable rug if they have to be tied up outside, or if it’s raining at a show etc. i always thought fleeces were very pointless rugs but just yesterday i was thinking i really could do with another one, so id get one of those too🤣 the 50g stable rugs get a lot of use too!
 
I'm down south, and bought a new horse in October (not my first but he's bigger then my last so nothing fits and have had to start again).
He's an Irish type and unclipped, in good health. Out in the day and in at night. I started with a no fill turnout, and a cotton stable sheet. He has worn each of them a handful of times, that's it. He's been naked all through winter, bar the storms when it was cold and wet. I'm just looking to purchase a 50g liner as I would like to clip him.
Historically with my previous horses (TB and a cob), the no fill and 50g turnouts were my most used, even though they were fully clipped. The 100g was the heaviest I used, and if super cold the 50g liner went on underneath.
So I would go 0g turnout and 50g liner. You could then get a 100g liner if you think it's needed or we are forecast a cold snap and you're worried.
 
My best rug is 100g with 3 liners of 50, 100 and 200g. Makes it such a versatile rug for any occasion. Also comes with two neck covers.

Then I would have a 0/50g for spring/summer.

I like a net cooler (summer) and a thermatex (winter) for travelling/shows and that’s pretty much going to cover all bases.
 
You need a lot less than you think you do. I have a rug room full of rugs and my boys have used 2 each so far this winter.

I'd recommend finding someone who resells second hand rugs if you can. We have a lady that rugs a rug cleaning/reproofing/repairing service locally. She also takes donations of damaged rugs, fixes them up and sells them to raise money for charity. she's very good at what she does and you can get some good rugs for very little money. Buying from someone like her, you can get a few different sizes, work out what works for you and your horse and then either buy new/better quality and sell your used ones or stick with what you have. It's all trial and error with horses and I prefer to do that with as little hurt to my pocket as possible.
 
Also agree with the sentiment that you need a lot less than you think too, there is a women on the yard that changes her ponies rug with every 2 degree change in temp when in fact horses have a fairly large thermo regulation range and certainly in our country with the ever merging of seasons our temps rarely vary by more than 15-20 degrees.
It obviously also depends on the breed and whether they are clipped out or not but I would start with:
1) a rain sheet
2) a 50g or 100g turnout with a detachable neck
3) a fleece for travelling and cooling down post exercise
4) Fly sheet for the summer and mask if flies are bothersome

My pony stables overnight in his turnout also for ease of turnout in the morning and is perfectly happy, and remember that even if a rug gets wet IF the pony is dry underneath a wet rug will dry better on the warmth of a pony so doesn't need changing!

1200 denier rugs are better quality than 600 denier and different makes fit differently so its a little bit trial and error.
 
I have a clipped native and have 2 x 0g liner compatible rugs then have a 50g and 100g filler and use these in the field and stable to save on needing stable rugs. I have 2 x lightweight thermatex style coolers (I have one for field use and one I try to keep cleaner under a rug in the stable), 1 x thermatex and a very lightweight cover.

Don't rush out and buy loads of grooming kit either - I've collected grooming brushes over the years but my most used items are a icky dandy brush, hoof pick and a Smart Groomer Super Groomer mitt to get the mud off.

Buying second hand or out of season will really help keep costs down too.

There are some items I'll send whatever I need to spend to keep the horse happy - bridles, bits, girth, saddles etc - but the horse has no idea whether they are wearing a posh £50 headcollar or an £8 headcollar or expensive matching saddle cloth. It's obviously nice to have if you want to, but don't get sucked into believing you 'have' to have multiple matching saddlepads, matching baselayers for you etc. Also, a lot of my matchy stuff for me comes from Sports shops, outdoors shops etc at a fraction of the cost.

Thinking about it my big trugs that I use as waterbuckets/skips came from ScrewFix or Homebase, I think. Much cheaper than buying from the tack shop.

Also, would highly recommend a well stocked first aid kit from the off. Hopefully you'll never need it nut you have it if you do.
 
Right now I’d be looking at getting a no fill rug and a 100-200g turnout.

Will you be on diy or full? If full does the yard put stable rugs on? Only buy a stable rug if needed;I’d suggest around 200g.

A cooler rug will also be useful.

Bear in mind it depends on your horse as to what type of rug you need. I’ve had one tb out 24/7 in a MW rug. A very porky WB didn’t get a rug on at all on nice days, only got a stable rug on overnight. Current TB has been swaddled in a 450g rug for a few weeks to keep him warm. If he’d had been in the MW rug like previous TB, he’d be a hat rack by boe
 
gallopinghooves said:
Hi everyone,

I’m buying my first horse (yay!) and I am starting to get everything I need. Although as I’m sure you all know, it’s very overwhelming.

Does anybody have a run down for which rugs I need (I live in SE England)!? There are sooo many to choose from.

Any other general tips and tricks are welcome when it comes to stocking up on supplies.

Thank you in advance!! :)
Click to expand...
Rugs with reflective stripes on are a godsend especially if you have to get your horse in, in the dark. And for me liner systems with a detachable neck are my prefered choice of rugging system. That way I can use a lighter neck cover if needed. Weight wise will depends on the horse but you’re better off under rugging rather than over rugging.
 
gallopinghooves said:
Hi everyone,

I’m buying my first horse (yay!) and I am starting to get everything I need. Although as I’m sure you all know, it’s very overwhelming.

Does anybody have a run down for which rugs I need (I live in SE England)!? There are sooo many to choose from.

Any other general tips and tricks are welcome when it comes to stocking up on supplies.

Thank you in advance!! :)
Click to expand...
My advice is different horses suit different types / brands / shapes of rug. So I would try and buy the minimum / second hand first, and work out what is best fit.
Ideally when at new yard, ask if can try other people's rugs on to work out what is the best fit for him.
 
gallopinghooves said:
Yes I can imagine it’s very easy to get carried away! I’m going to try and stick to just the basics and necessities.
Click to expand...
Well... we ALL said that in the beginning ;) but lets be honest, this isn't going to happen so, entering into the spirit of things, your gonna need the following rugs:

Lightweight turnout rug
Mediumweight turnout rug
Heavyweight turnout rug
OR you could get a lightweight (100g) with liner system (very useful, usually expensive)
You'll need (at least) 2 of all the above rugs for when your princess decides she's going to wreck her rug for no good reason - you've then got a spare ready.

Stable rugs - many people just leave turnouts on overnight, less rugs to buy, saves time, saves money... but where's the fun in that?
You will find you NEED the following stable rugs:
Lightweight
Mediumweight
Heavyweight
All x 2 so you have the important 'spare' for when things go wrong.

Other necessary additions would be fleece rugs, a thermatex rug, a selection of fly rugs and of course, a showerproof fly rug.
This is by no means an exhaustive list but will get you started 😅

Remember, you can never have enough rugs and you new mantra will be 'its only money'
I look forward to seeing pic of your princess dressed in her new rugs. :D
 
wiglet said:
Well... we ALL said that in the beginning ;) but lets be honest, this isn't going to happen so, entering into the spirit of things, your gonna need the following rugs:

Lightweight turnout rug
Mediumweight turnout rug
Heavyweight turnout rug
OR you could get a lightweight (100g) with liner system (very useful, usually expensive)
You'll need (at least) 2 of all the above rugs for when your princess decides she's going to wreck her rug for no good reason - you've then got a spare ready.

Stable rugs - many people just leave turnouts on overnight, less rugs to buy, saves time, saves money... but where's the fun in that?
You will find you NEED the following stable rugs:
Lightweight
Mediumweight
Heavyweight
All x 2 so you have the important 'spare' for when things go wrong.

Other necessary additions would be fleece rugs, a thermatex rug, a selection of fly rugs and of course, a showerproof fly rug.
This is by no means an exhaustive list but will get you started 😅

Remember, you can never have enough rugs and you new mantra will be 'its only money'
I look forward to seeing pic of your princess dressed in her new rugs. :D
Click to expand...
Haha!
You forgot to mention several different brands when they start rubbing, or you realise after 24 hrs of wearing you bought the wrong size.
And never sell them because you might need them for future horses, and they make lovely cosy homes for mice.

Top tip here: HW rugs seem to cause people fewer problems than other brands and they are by far the lightest in terms of humans getting them on and off. (Although Shires are surprisingly similar, I’m finding lately)

So having tried just about every brand on offer over the last 40 odd yrs of owning horses, and being sucked in by marketing, if I were to start again from scratch, I’d have HW only, with Shires spares!
And Landsdown coolers, still got one 30 yrs later and it’s still perfect. Prob why they went out of business!!
 
FB marketplace is your friend. Find out what brands fit is important as well. When you find one you like buy another so you have a spare 😅
I have a hairy unclipped native so this might not be relevant I have 2x 50g 2x no fill and one 100g liner (never used) which will go under either the 50g and the no fill plus a fleece cooler (used once). All bought either new old stock (the water proofs) or second hand for much less than RRP. I have found the 50g far more versatile than the no fill, she got itchy and grumpy with the no fill whereas the 50g she's been comfortable in 10degrees but full on storm to dry but minus 5. (To be honest she'd be fine without in the dry but it's easier for me to ride when she's not covered in an inch of mud and she's a funny native than loses condition unrugged)
 
Last edited:
I am not a hoarding type but I have about 20 rugs for my 2 horses! And I have used 4 of them (between them) this winter!!
The first winter I had my horse he was on loan and came with a turnout, a stable rug and a fleece. We survived just fine.
If I was starting from scratch again and knowing what I know now I would buy:
100g turnout
200g turnout (if clipping horse)
no fill t/o - to keep horse clean in warm mud season!
200g stable rug
fleece
waffle or mesh cooler.

Between all of those you can layer up or down to cover most situations and it shouldn't give your bank manager a heart attack.
 
I would ask the livery what they are in at the moment and what size they are.
Personally I have a no fill, 100g, 200g, 400g for each horse but they are clipped. I dont bother with stable rugs. I definitely prefer necks for keeping clean and need shoulder vents as they are all fairly chunky.
They share a light and heavy fleece for travelling/drying.
I think fly rugs depend on your area, my first yard was by the sea and no one needed them but ive seen other yards where every horse needs them for a lot of the summer.
Have a look for a local tack sales, much cheaper if you can buy 2nd hand.
 
I'd resist, get a 0g and 50g turnout to be prepared and wait until she arrives to see what she likes and if she needs more - mine hates being warm and gets too warm with anything over 0g and he's fully clipped and we're on an exposed hill. Other horses on the yard can be in 400g turnouts and he's still happily naked 🙈
 
wiglet said:
Well... we ALL said that in the beginning ;) but lets be honest, this isn't going to happen so, entering into the spirit of things, your gonna need the following rugs:

Lightweight turnout rug
Mediumweight turnout rug
Heavyweight turnout rug
OR you could get a lightweight (100g) with liner system (very useful, usually expensive)
You'll need (at least) 2 of all the above rugs for when your princess decides she's going to wreck her rug for no good reason - you've then got a spare ready.

Stable rugs - many people just leave turnouts on overnight, less rugs to buy, saves time, saves money... but where's the fun in that?
You will find you NEED the following stable rugs:
Lightweight
Mediumweight
Heavyweight
All x 2 so you have the important 'spare' for when things go wrong.

Other necessary additions would be fleece rugs, a thermatex rug, a selection of fly rugs and of course, a showerproof fly rug.
This is by no means an exhaustive list but will get you started 😅

Remember, you can never have enough rugs and you new mantra will be 'its only money'
I look forward to seeing pic of your princess dressed in her new rugs. :D
Click to expand...

i feel i need to correct that mantra, at least for me personally, it’s “at least it’s not drugs”😂
 
I have far too many rugs however to start with.

Something waterproof, this winter with an unclipped tb I have gravitated between no fill weatherbeeta and 200g Rhino. Not needed a heavyweight even last week when it was sub zero

Stable - I find my 100G Weatherbeeta Jasper my most used rug, can probably be picked up secondhand very cheaply. I also have a 200g amigo liner that gets a lot of use.

I don't like using turnouts in the stable as they get covered in wee and poo and I try not to wash them too often to protect the weatherproofing.

A waterproof exercise or quarter sheet in a Hi Viz colour for hacking.

Then either a fleece or cooler to pop over tack or to dry off after work.

Once you've worked out the brand that fits best, I would look at getting a fly rug now before the flies arrive.

I wouldn't necessarily be clipping this year. By the time they are settled in, it will nearly be coat shedding time but would look at picking up bargains over summer for heavier rugs.
 
wiglet said:
You'll need (at least) 2 of all the above rugs for when your princess decides she's going to wreck her rug for no good reason - you've then got a spare ready.
Click to expand...
Also need a spare for when rug smells so much of wee, you can't bear to touch it until it's been washed.
 
I've made do with a 100g, a 200g, a no fill and a fleece between two horses this winter. In the very coldest of weather the clipped was in a full neck 200 and the unbacked hairy in a 100g. Soon as it got a bit warmer the clipped one went into the 100g and the hairy is either naked or with a no fill to keep the rain off. If it's too hot for the 200g but I don't think the 100g is enough, I stick a waffle cooler underneath.
 
Wow, thank you so much everyone! I didn't expect so many responses - I've read them all and appreciate them all.

The general consensus is to go with a 100g rug and then get various liners. Plus a stable rug.

Now it's a question of sizing 😂

Thank you!!!
 
I'm not the best person to advise as I have collected over 100 rugs over the years.

My go to rugs are:

50g turnout 1200D with detachable neck
100g liner
Back on Track mesh rug (I put them on under the turnout rugs)
Thermatex or similar
Exercise sheet

Unless a horse is on box rest I don't use my vast collection of stable rugs. I also have a large collection of heavy weight turnouts that have not been used in years.

I like the 50g turnout as it can be used on the days when you just want to keep the rain off them but I find that a no fill turnout often leaks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top