Need education on rugs

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Nanolol

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I have never put rugs on any horse - my pony grows a huge thick coat so has never needed one (she looks like a polar bear in the winter). As a result, I know nothing about them but would like to. If any of you are willing to share your knowledge & experience it would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance :)
 
My chestnut mare grow hardly any winter coat - the plus side to this is that I've never needed to clip her, however she does need rugs as she lives out 24/7.

The simple rule is that if the horse is cold - it gets a rug or a warmer rug on, if it's too warm it gets a lighter rug or no rug depending on what's required.

Different makes fit different builds/types of horse, so when I first got CM I borrowed a few rugs from friends to try on her.

The material that the turnout rug is made from is important. Ballistic nylon is the best but it's also expensive, I also like nylon linings. Polyester is a common material for the outer of a turnout rug and it is cheaper, but not as tough as ballistic nylon.

High denier rugs are better too. For example, the Amigos come in 600d and 1200d versions. You pay more for the 1200d, but it is better.
 
During the winter my horse is clipped and I put a heavyweight outdoor full-necked rug on him, even though he is stabled! That way I can turn him out in the afternoons without having to change his rug all the time.

In the Summer he wears a very light turnout rug (basically just a waterproof sheet). This is mainly to keep him clean in the stable and he can be turned out in it if it is a bit chilly outside but if it is warm I let him out with no rug on.

At the moment the weather is changing and his winter coat hasnt started to appear yet so he has a fleece rug on underneath his light turnout in the stable.

Travelling he wears a fleece cooler.

Hope this helps:)
 
When I first got my horse, he came with a trace clip and in the winter I only used a lightweight rug. I found I needed at least two so I could swap them when one got too wet and grubby, otherwise your horse will not be protected and grubby rugs harbour lots of 'bugs' which could cause skin issues.

It is important to brush the rugs frequently and give them a chance to dry off thoroughly. You need to feel under the rug to ensure it is actually keeping your horse dry in wet weather (hence the two rugs). Then in the spring they need washing, re-proofing and repairing.

I eventually weaned him off rugs altogether as he started to get agitated and started to bite them and was much happier without.

I have observed that rolling is an important part of a horses' skin care routine whatever the season. Of course in the winter this does mean he does looks grubby and hairy.
 
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I would recommend buying the best rug that you can afford. Everyone will have their own preference but I prefer Horseware rugs.... They fit so well and are so durable.
Generally 'lightweight' rugs have no filing inside, so are really just rain jackets. These are good for thin/poor/cold horses or a hairy horse in the winter. Medium rugs again could be used in spring, autumn, winter etc. I use our medium weight rugs in the autumn and summer on our clipped horses.
"heavyweight" rugs are approx 400g filling and again, depends on your horse, but I use these on our clipped horses (fully clipped bodies but legs unclipped) in the winter when they are turned out during the day.
As the other poster just said... It really depends on each horse and to keep checking to see if they are wam enough. It's a kind of "suck it and see" situation.
I prefer rugs with either a half neck (Horseware call these 'wugs') or a full neck. (google Rambo supreme and you'll see a full neck). But normal neck rugs are fine too. I find less rubbing on the withers with a 'neck' rug but full and half neck rugs can rub manes.
If your horse is going to be stabled at night you might buy a stable rug too. We change into state rugs at night so that the outdoor/turnout rugs can be hung and dried in the barn. Some people just leave the outdoor rugs on. I always think a horse wil stay warmer and happier if they can change their 'clothes' at night but some people argue that the rugs will dry with the heat of the horse.
Any more questions??? I'm happy to help. ;)
 
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