New to rugging, when should you put a rug on and what type.

Tillie

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Hello,
Ive realise bought a new horse. She wont be coming till after christmas, but is the first horse ive owned which is rugged. She currently has a medium rug on. The owners have told me that if the weather changes before i have her, she will have a heavy weight one on.
Ive seen alot of people with thick rugs on there horses in the middle of summer when there was a quick shower.

What i would like to know is what weather should i rug and what type of rug?
Ive visted her acouple of times and she has a thick coat, and cant see why she is rugged. But i know once a horse is rugged it is more likely to get cold.

Thanks
 

ImmyS

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Like above maybe you should have been a little more prepared. However, rugging is individual to every horse. If the horse is unclipped and up to weight or overweight I would not rug unless the weather is wet and cold, and leave naked if its cold but dry. Just keep checking that the horse is warm but not hot or sweaty under the rug and you'll soon learn what rug the horse needs in what weather by trial and error.
 

Tillie

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I have owned horses and ponies before, just not ones that have been rugged.
I usually stable mine at night, they all have thick winter coats and cope fine with the weather. I just what to know when i should change her rug.

Thanks
 

HihoGinger

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I'm afraid I agree with the others. This is the sort of thing you really ought to be clued up on before buying a horse, especially considering you stated this on another thread..
" and now i am head groom at a livery yard."
 

ImmyS

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I have owned horses and ponies before, just not ones that have been rugged.
I usually stable mine at night, they all have thick winter coats and cope fine with the weather. I just what to know when i should change her rug.

Thanks

Also what breed is the horse, that will help in deciding what she needs/how she copes. If she's fat and hairy then I would be tempted to just start her in a lightweight and go from there if she isn't warm enough, you don't want to unnecessarily over rug.
 

mandwhy

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Bit harsh above!

Mine is fluffy and unclipped (haflinger) so doesn't really need or like wearing a rug although she does have one.

You just need to check their temperature rather than getting sucked into the trap of following others. Personally I put my hand deep into her fur at the armpit and also between the back legs where the hair is thin (although she gets grumpy about my cold hands if I do that haha)... You will be able to feel if it is warm and get used to checking and what temps she needs certain rugs. Then if you put one on check it 20 mins later and if she is damp and sweaty or overly warm then its probably too much. Bear in mind if you check when she is standing still she could still get hot if she moves about.

There will be horses in anything ranging from nothing to heavyweights at the mo, all depends on their coat and body type, e.g TBs and WBs tend to have finer coats but there are still some that could go unrugged all year.

You will get used to what temps for certain rugs but if you had universal rules for all horses you'd probably be doing it wrong...
 

Tillie

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Look im ask for help, it seems i the only one who gets funny sometimes cruel commets.
We do rug at the yard but im only there to manage the training of the horses. Im not there to rug them in the evening.
So i would just like to know does she need a heavy rug putting on if it starts to freeze and snow.

Where i live we are very sheltered and hardly ever get a cold wind.
 

metalmare

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It is very variable and literally changes overnight.

A couple of weeks ago my chaser clipped welsh was perfectly happy in a lightweight just to keep the wind and rain off... cue sudden -4 one morning and the poor guy was cold so heaps of hay and a heavy rug were provided (which I had been putting off because he tends to get hot and sweaty). Daily checks under the rug show he's perfect... not too hot, nor too cold. If I find him sweating one morning he'll go to a medium or lightweight again.
 

HihoGinger

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Look im ask for help, it seems i the only one who gets funny sometimes cruel commets.
We do rug at the yard but im only there to manage the training of the horses. Im not there to rug them in the evening.
So i would just like to know does she need a heavy rug putting on if it starts to freeze and snow.

Where i live we are very sheltered and hardly ever get a cold wind.

Not cruel Tillie, just expect people are surprised that someone with your apparently vast experience doesn't know when to rug a horse.
To be honest, it's not something anyone can really answer but you. The previous owner has had such and such a rug on, and they say that if it gets colder to put on a different one. How do you know that the previous owner is not one of these people who over rugs at the drop of a hat and the horse would be happier without one? For example, my hunter clipped cob is currently wearing a 100g rug. I know for a fact that if he belonged to my YO he would be in at least a 300g. He is just right.
mandwhy has given you some good advice about how to tell. That's the best anyone can do without being stood next to your horse really.
 

Tillie

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Bit harsh above!

Mine is fluffy and unclipped (haflinger) so doesn't really need or like wearing a rug although she does have one.

You just need to check their temperature rather than getting sucked into the trap of following others. Personally I put my hand deep into her fur at the armpit and also between the back legs where the hair is thin (although she gets grumpy about my cold hands if I do that haha)... You will be able to feel if it is warm and get used to checking and what temps she needs certain rugs. Then if you put one on check it 20 mins later and if she is damp and sweaty or overly warm then its probably too much. Bear in mind if you check when she is standing still she could still get hot if she moves about.

There will be horses in anything ranging from nothing to heavyweights at the mo, all depends on their coat and body type, e.g TBs and WBs tend to have finer coats but there are still some that could go unrugged all year.

You will get used to what temps for certain rugs but if you had universal rules for all horses you'd probably be doing it wrong...



Thanks she is a irish draught cross TB, she has a very thick coat. I couldnt se why she had this thick rug on when we visted. As her coat is thicker than my welsh ponies

Thanks
 

ImmyS

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So i would just like to know does she need a heavy rug putting on if it starts to freeze and snow

We can't answer that question for you as it is down to the individual horse in question, if it is just cold but not wet then I would not rug unless the horse feels cold, if its snowing then I would rug but if the horse is warm enough then I would just use a good waterproof lightweight combo to stop getting wet, if the horse feels cold at anytime then just pop something a bit heavier on until they feel warm enough.
 

Tillie

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Not cruel Tillie, just expect people are surprised that someone with your apparently vast experience doesn't know when to rug a horse.
To be honest, it's not something anyone can really answer but you. The previous owner has had such and such a rug on, and they say that if it gets colder to put on a different one. How do you know that the previous owner is not one of these people who over rugs at the drop of a hat and the horse would be happier without one? For example, my hunter clipped cob is currently wearing a 100g rug. I know for a fact that if he belonged to my YO he would be in at least a 300g.
mandwhy has given you some good advice about how to tell. That's the best anyone can do without being stood next to your horse really.

Thanks, its just ive never brought a rug or even thought of using one. I suppose its i my head that native breeds can handly the weather so i never bothered to rug. But when i asked a friends she went on about different rugs what weather went with each rugs and i started to panic. What was i going to do when she ot here. But i think my friend is one of those people you were on about. Ive never seen her horses without a rug
 

HihoGinger

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Thanks, its just ive never brought a rug or even thought of using one. I suppose its i my head that native breeds can handly the weather so i never bothered to rug. But when i asked a friends she went on about different rugs what weather went with each rugs and i started to panic. What was i going to do when she ot here. But i think my friend is one of those people you were on about. Ive never seen her horses without a rug
It was said already how important it is not to fall into the trap of doing what everyone else does. You need to take manwhy's advice and just see how the horse feels. You will soon have an idea of what is appropriate. Have you actually got some rugs ready, or are you trying to work out what to buy?
 

Tillie

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I think they are the over rugging type, as she comes with six different types.
Medium, heavy, light turnout rug. A waterproof one, fleece stable one and fly rug. She is living in a very open field, so hasnt got much protection from the wind. But when she comes to mine our fields have high hedges and lots of trees, plus she will be stable in bad weather.
 

NeverSayNever

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i feel a bit sorry for the OP - her new horse doesnt arrive until after Christmas so she is finding out more about rugging in plenty of time. Plus she has other horses that arent rugged so has never had to know about rugging - seems fair enough!

OP I would go with whatever the current owner advises when you get him home and keep him in what she has him in at that time. Is he coming with his rugs or do you have to buy some? Whether or not you continue to rug this horse will be up to you BUT it is now the middle of winter so I would suggest you carry on rugging him for the rest of this winter anyway then see how you feel in spring. By which time you will have a good idea of how he holds his weight etc. Tbx ID isnt particularly hardy compared to some natives and it may just be he is happier rugged up. My Sec D is fully clipped and in a HW 360g with a 50g liner under it at the mo! It was -7 here yesterday though tbf. As for knowing if he is in the right rug or not, just go by how warm he feels. Put your hand under his rug to check and also feel the base of his ears. You will also be able to tell if he isnt holding weight very well that he might need to be kept a bit toastier. How do you manage to keep your horses in full work and not clipped? Dont they sweat like bugggery? My welsh does, thats why she is clipped out. Each to their own though of course.

eta having 6 different types doesnt mean they are the over rugging type! Over rugging would be piling on heavy weight rugs and the horse being too hot. It sounds like the opposite , that they have lots of lighter weight options! It is kind of the norm, certainly amonst all the horsey people I know, to have many many rugs lol - fleece, sweat, travel, stable rugs and all manner of t/o's - its just spoiling your horse with a nice wardrobe, you'd only be overrugging if you piled them all on at once :D
 
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ImmyS

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I think they are the over rugging type, as she comes with six different types.
Medium, heavy, light turnout rug. A waterproof one, fleece stable one and fly rug. She is living in a very open field, so hasnt got much protection from the wind. But when she comes to mine our fields have high hedges and lots of trees, plus she will be stable in bad weather.

I think it's just a case of playing it by ear, just build up slowly if she needs more warmth.. She'll let you know if she's cold or miserable :)
 

TigerTail

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The horse should feel lukewarm behind the front leg, crook of the elbow sort of place. It shouldnt feel hot to the touch anywhere and most certainly shouldnt be sweating.

A healthy horse with adlib food, freedom of movement and a windbreak ie shelter/hedge etc shouldnt require a rug.

A stabled horse will often feel colder as the concrete absorbs the cold and the air is still.

:)
 

ImmyS

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The horse should feel lukewarm behind the front leg, crook of the elbow sort of place. It shouldnt feel hot to the touch anywhere and most certainly shouldnt be sweating.

A healthy horse with adlib food, freedom of movement and a windbreak ie shelter/hedge etc shouldnt require a rug.

A stabled horse will often feel colder as the concrete absorbs the cold and the air is still.

:)

Perfectly put TigerTail!
 

lottie940

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For god's sake people!!! She is asking for help and advice not your judgement or self righteousness!!! We all had to start somewhere!

Right the general rules I live by are that if its summer and warm I don't rug unless it tips it down with rain persistently and is windy! In the winter if it is reasonably decent weather and not too chilly (5-11 degrees) I chuck my old boy out with a 100g Shires neckless rug on. Little colder and I go to a neckless medium. If it starts dipping down to single figures (ie below 5) I will opt for a medium with a neck. If it goes into the minus's then I go heavy necked. I don't use neckless heavies as I go by the thoughts that if its cold enough to be getting big rugs out then they should have a neck on them!!!

Each horse is individual and you have to take into account age etc as an older horse may need a bit more insulation to keep warm. I'm sure you will get it wrong many times!! I still do 3 years after taking on my boy. Sometimes I under rug, sometimes I've left him out w/o one on and it's been hideous weather and sometimes I've gone too heavy and he has been sweaty! None of us (even the 'experts' on here) get it right every time!! Under or over rugging on the odd occasion isn't going to kill your horse. If you fetch in and they are too sweaty go lighter weight next time and vice versa.

Hope this helps:)
 

casinosolo

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Maybe you should of learnt about rugging before you got a horse!

She is doing, the horse doesn't arrive until after Christmas!? I'm not sure why people are being so harsh to the OP. I posted a similiar question when I bought my horse a few months ago and got many helpful responses.

I had a 10 year break from horses and grew up working on a yard where the horses were all unclipped so no real need for rugs, therefore I didn't know much about them. That didn't make me a useless imbecile that didn't know one end of a horse from another, it was just something I had to learn about as the OP is trying to do!

ETA - OP, I have learnt to rug to my horse's needs. Most people on here would tell me I'm over-rugging my chaser clipped TBxID in a 300g at the moment, but in my part of the country and in the exposed field where he lives I think he needs it. He actually felt a bit cold coming in today so may even add an under rug as well. I think if you have one of each weight then you can be prepared.
 
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shannonandtay

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I had a fifteen year break and had a shock when I came back into it, didn't realize how many rugs horses now have and had to learn about the different types and when to use them . All we had was a new Zealand and a stable rug with a blanket if it was really cold :)
 

Tillie

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Thanks for all the advice. Just on question, im planning to keep her hacking out as long as the roads are good. I will just take nice long walking hacks, e.g. no trotting or anythink. Would this make any difference in what rug she would need when back from a hack. Or would it just depend on how much she is sweating.
My welsh is doing acouple hacks a weeks at just over 2 hours, and does break a sweat, but shes been doing this all year. And the new horse hasnt been in work since early september.

Thanks for all the help, i know with my experience with horse you would think i know about rugging but ive never need to rug. I have thatched acouple of times when ive bathed my horses. But i use a large old blanket and a surcingle girth.
 

TigerTail

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I had a fifteen year break and had a shock when I came back into it, didn't realize how many rugs horses now have and had to learn about the different types and when to use them . All we had was a new Zealand and a stable rug with a blanket if it was really cold :)

Just because the rug industry has provided all these fancy rugs doesnt mean we HAVE to use them! Or that the horses NEED them! Its exactly like the brain washing that women cant lift weights without turning into Arnie etc etc

Drives me nuts as you can tell :p
 

mandwhy

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Don't worry OP, as Lottie says it won't kill the horse if you get it a bit over or under once in a while (and you will because of unpredictable weather sometimes). It's really pretty simple when you know how to check them.

It's good to have a nice range of rugs for in betweens and flexibility, like you could put a fleece under a MW instead of a HW.

I would rather err on the side of under rugged, and as my horse seems to get stressed by being in her rug longer than about 4 hours, sometimes I just give her an extra pile of hay to keep the inner furnace burning :)
 

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Just because the rug industry has provided all these fancy rugs doesnt mean we HAVE to use them! Or that the horses NEED them! Its exactly like the brain washing that women cant lift weights without turning into Arnie etc etc

Drives me nuts as you can tell :p

Lol, reminds me of when I came back to horses after a 12 year break and my good friend and instructor was telling me how I would have to find my way through all the minefield of rugs and feeding - "pellets for a yearling, pellets for a 14month, pellets for a 2yr old - none of the sugarbeet, oats and barley lark that you were used to!"
 

ImmyS

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Thanks for all the advice. Just on question, im planning to keep her hacking out as long as the roads are good. I will just take nice long walking hacks, e.g. no trotting or anythink. Would this make any difference in what rug she would need when back from a hack. Or would it just depend on how much she is sweating.
My welsh is doing acouple hacks a weeks at just over 2 hours, and does break a sweat, but shes been doing this all year. And the new horse hasnt been in work since early september.

Thanks for all the help, i know with my experience with horse you would think i know about rugging but ive never need to rug. I have thatched acouple of times when ive bathed my horses. But i use a large old blanket and a surcingle girth.

If she is sweating a lot when worked then she may need a clip, in that case then she may need to be rugged more to accommodate this :)
 

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I hold my hands up and admit that I'm a ******, whether they're clipped or not. However I wouldn't be putting a heavyweight rug ok an unclipped horse.

The important thing for you to note, op, though is that at this stage you can't simply remove the rugs.

My guess OS that the horse will be mote than comfortable in a lighter weight medium rug of no more than 200g.

It sounds as if you are buying a quality horse from extremely caring people - rather than the rough and tumble you may be more used to.

You'll need to keep that in mind when thinking about the horses management.
 
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