Turnout rugs indoors?

[eventinghenry]

Does anyone here use turnout rugs in the stable? Or do people change to stable rugs?

Horses have started coming in at night now at my yard, first time since I moved there in June, and I’ve noticed that they don’t change horses rugs at night, just keep them in the same turnout (mine is on full livery by the way). Now I’ve always been on yards where horses all changed into stable rugs overnight, usually just keeping the same cotton sheet/liner on all the time.

My questions for anyone who doesn’t change rugs are: do horses not need a thicker rug in the stable at night when it’s colder and they can’t move around so much to keep warm? And how do you deal with putting a turnout back on after exercise when they’re sweaty or wet from being washed off?

Is it reasonable to put stable rugs on after I ride and expect them to change him into a turnout in the morning? Or should I just put my stable rugs back in the box and just roll with it unless I’m doing him evening and morning?!

 

[teddypops]

I change rugs as my ponies would be too hot in turnouts overnight. If your horse is on full livery, they should change the rug if that’s what you want.

 

[spacefaer]

We use turnout rugs in the stable (PE ones) and find that they're warmer than the equivalent weight stable rug.

We had them on livery about 12 years ago and carefully put their stable rugs on when we left every evening, with the agreement that the YO turned out in the morning. We forgot something one evening and popped back about half an hour later to find that the YO had already changed them back into their turnouts, ready for the morning. .... she wasn't happy at being caught out, even though we did it inadvertently ?

 

[milliepops]

i sometimes leave the turnouts on (e.g. if they've had a soaking as they dry better on the horses)
but on full livery tbh I'd expect them to be changed under normal circumstances. I prefer stable rugs as they are lighter on their backs than turnouts and the ones I have are easy to wash. it also makes the turnouts last longer if they aren't getting stable stains on them that need washing out.

Mine generally wear less thick rugs indoors because the stables are sheltered. Unless it's going to be super super cold at night I generally find they are warmer in their boxes than in the exposed fields.

 

[Winters100]

Personally I prefer to use stable rugs at night and turnout rugs only when they are outside. In my opinion it is more comfortable for them, and as the rugs anyway need to be removed to check the horse it doesn't make sense to me to put the same rug back on.

Certainly I would not put a turnout on a wet / sweaty horse. Personally I put a polar on and later change to a stable rug when dry, or if I cannot wait ask the grooms to do it (mine are half livery, so this care is included).

This having been said many people here report that modern rugs are so breathable that it is not a problem. As I don't need to do it I can't say, but if I was putting a turnout on a wet horse I would want it to be a top quality one.

What weight of rug they need at night depends on the horse and the set up of the stable. Our stables are warm, so at night I usually use a rug 50 to 100g lighter than their daytime rug, unless we have all agreed to leave windows open, in which case I use a stable rug of same weight. Ours is a barn but with each box having a window almost the same size as the top part of the stable door, so if it is open it is more like an 'English' box.

To me if you are full livery then they should put whatever you want on the horse, so in this case I would recommend a stable rug.

 

[WandaMare]

I use stable rugs but purely because they can be washed easier than turnouts. I find turnouts lose their waterproofing when washed and if used in the stable they need washing a lot more often.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

Mine are out at night and in during the day and I always change to stable rugs. I don’t like the idea of the horse being in the same rug 24 hours a day and I always check them over every morning. They also wear liners so I can whip them out to wash and dry in a day because there’s nothing worse than stinky rugs.

 

[brightmount]

I only use stable rugs if my horse is going to be in for a few days, for instance if I’m treating an abscess, or all the horses on the yard are being kept in for weather or ground reasons. Otherwise, if she’s going out daily through the winter then she just stays in her turnout as it dries better on her than hanging in the stable, and she’s warm inside it in the morning ready to go out, rather than being changed into a cold, damp rug.

 

[eventinghenry]

Thanks everyone his 250g turnout is a good quality one but he’s currently still in his 50g one which is a bit of a cheapy as he ripped the last one so had to replace it speedily!

Good point re washing! Having washed both stable rugs not long ago, agree they were disgusting and wouldn’t fancy getting that out of a turnout.

Haven’t got a good feel for how cold the stables are, so it’s good to have some guidance! They’re outdoor, and real old style concrete and stone things, no rubber mats but a decent sized straw bed.

Think I’ll stick with changing rugs when I can, I’m up there pretty much every evening anyway so I’m happy to change his rugs then. Doesn’t bother me so much if he only stays in it once a week or so.

 

[eventinghenry]

I only use stable rugs if my horse is going to be in for a few days, for instance if I’m treating an abscess, or all the horses on the yard are being kept in for weather or ground reasons. Otherwise, if she’s going out daily through the winter then she just stays in her turnout as it dries better on her than hanging in the stable, and she’s warm inside it in the morning ready to go out, rather than being changed into a cold, damp rug.

Interesting! I can see they would dry better on a warm horse than off!

But also I suppose by the time I’ve taken the rug off, groomed him, worked him etc. whatever rug I put on is going to be cold? So it’s more a case of making sure turnout is dry. It’s not so bad at the moment because he’s quite fluffy so doesn’t need a huge amount of rugging, but it’s all due to come off next week so will need more attention after that!

 

[Goldenstar]

I hate horses inside in outdoor rugs.
If the rugs are wet I leave them on a little while to dry then take them off .
Each horse has a least half an hour a day In the stable unrugged whatever the weather .
I always use a different brand of indoor rug to the horses outdoor rug so the fir is slightly different .

 

[PoniesRock]

I swap mine from stables to turnouts. I think it’s really important especially if they have had the day off. If they stayed in turnouts day and night I think it would be too easy to miss a cut or if they had been kicked in the field ect. I also refuse to let them stable soil their expensive turnout rugs!

 

[scats]

I’m another who always swaps to stable rugs, though I know a lot of people now tend to leave turnouts on. There’s just something I like about swapping them into stable rugs, maybe I’m old fashioned!

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Sometimes I change, sometimes I don't. At this time of the year then I'd definitely change.
However, every evening the turnout will come off and at least a quick all over brush before replacing.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I don't own a any stable blankets. I keep mine in turnouts. Mostly because he lives in a stable with attached paddock. He often goes outside and stands in the rain. He's not gotten too hot or cold. I blanket for a certain temp range and he's clipped, has shelter and is with forage 24/7. Once in a great while I ask for a blanket change or removal of there is a really dramatic temperature swing, but it's rare.

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

If they’re not being ridden and the rug is of a weight that’s suitable then I leave mine in their turn outs more often than not these days. They’re nice expensive Amigos and Rambos and comfortable and breathable. If I take a wet rug off to ride I don’t put it back on overnight, I’ll put a stable rug on and hang it up to dry. Mine rarely go more than 24 hrs without exercise or grooming so they’re checked plenty

Every minute saved is a bonus when you’ve two and a FT job. I’d expect a livery Yard to change rugs though as that’s also when they’ll get a better look at them especially as ime many are not very observant of injuries and issues.

 

[bouncing_ball]

I’m on a yard of 38 horses, all 7 day part / full livery. Drying 38 wet rugs for next day not feasible space wise. So some stay on to dry if wet, depends on horses needs etc.

 

[paddy555]

mine live in turnouts. After riding I put the outdoor rug back on and the horse dries underneath it. (Rambo) If I put a thermatex/fleece on when he came back to dry him he would be standing all day in the stable drying and would never get out. He dries just as quickly in his outdoor and has the benefit of rolling and moving around. I can't use a stable rug at night because he has access to a yard as well as a stable and would get it wet.

 

[criso]

I'm another who uses stable rugs to save washing turnouts. I have straw and find when they lie down, the bottom of the rug gets covered in wee and poo and stinks. Stable rugs get washed a couple of times a winter, turnouts I try not to wash, maybe every 2 or 3 years, as they are never the same once washed. Plus the stable rugs cost half the price to get cleaned as it's half the price without a reproof.

I also find that sometimes I need different weights e.g. windy exposed field, warm inside stable or vice versa.

I do sometimes leave the turnouts on for an hour or so if it's been raining to dry and swap last thing.

 

[Squeak]

I'm the opposite to quite a few of you and find that stable rugs get too disgusting if used every night where a turnout rug seems to lose the worst mud and poo when it swaps from indoors to outdoors and never soaks up any pee etc.

 

[Winters100]

he lives in a stable with attached paddock. He often goes outside and stands in the rain. .

Now that is my ideal set up and I would gladly leave mine in turnouts for them to have the opportunity to go outside at will. Lucky horse!

 

[criso]

I'm the opposite to quite a few of you and find that stable rugs get too disgusting if used every night where a turnout rug seems to lose the worst mud and poo when it swaps from indoors to outdoors and never soaks up any pee etc.

I find the problem is the flap by the back legs, when they lie down it gets on the inside on the lining which will soak up. I think a lot depends on bedding type and how wet/dirty your horse is.

And whether it lies in such a way that the back gets in the wettest bit of the stable.

 

[Kaylum]

I always remove and check for rubs. Then decide how I need to rug.

 

[atropa]

If I'm doing turnout in the morning, I prefer a stable rug on overnight. However, I've been in situations where I have left turnouts on overnight - if they are soaked and nowhere to dry them, if a friend is turning out and I want to save them time, if a YO is turning out and it costs more to have rugs changed (I have 3 so it adds up), if I know I'll be short of time in the morning.
I know its anthropomorphism but there's something so nice about seeing a horse cosied up in their jammies

 

[spotty_pony]

Depends if they are needing something thinner on in the stable but if not then I sometimes leave them on. Saves time
in the morning too!

 

[L&M]

Modern turn out rugs tend to be waterproof and breathable - I can't see the point of taking off a warm rug and putting on a cold one personally, and the best way to dry a rug (assuming no leakage), is to dry it on the horse.

If the horse is in work then it is likely you will have it on and off regularly enough to check for rubs etc.

Also the rain washes off any muck so rugs are nicer to deal with - can't stand smelly stable rugs!

 

[marmalade88]

I'm the opposite to quite a few of you and find that stable rugs get too disgusting if used every night where a turnout rug seems to lose the worst mud and poo when it swaps from indoors to outdoors and never soaks up any pee etc.

This. My horse lives in his turnout once clipped and I haav e 3 or 4 i go through each winter, he gets a clean rug on every time he’s clipped. He’s hot clothed after each ride and brushed on the days he’s not worked And his rug left off for a bit if weather permits. He’s in great fitting rugs and never has a rub of loses any mane. He’s dry and comfortable and i don’t have to spend money washing pissy ‘stable’ rugs which have soaked up wee. I’m on livery and the girls would change it if i asked but tbh they don’t want to be humping around wet rugs and i don’t want a cold wet rug going on my horse in the morning. Of course if he’s on box rest he has other options.

Conversely though i very rarely use any rugs at all in the summer, even fly rugs. some poor horses on my yard are in rugs all year round which i think is overkill

 

[doodle]

I vary a lot. I do like changing to a stable rug. His 200grm stable has been worn and washed so much it Is thinner so while he had his 100grm turnout on he had his stable rug on. It has got colder again and was in his 200grm outdoor so I have left that on in stable. Once he goes goes into 300grm outdoor he will be back to stable rugs as he has a 300grm and a 420grm. The only difference is if he comes in with a wet rug. Wet rug stays on if not soaked through tad it dries better on him than hung up.

Yo does services and charges extra to change rugs but will do it happily. The full liveries get rugs changed if owner ask n

 

[Louby]

I was mortified when a yard I was on years ago suggested leaving turnouts on but its been a revelation As said above modern decent rugs are breathable so why not leave them on overnight. I found drying turnouts took days and although they look all snug in a stable rug, the turnout rug, providing it is waterproof and breahable will keep them warm, it will dry and also prevents having to put damp cold rugs on the next day. As a self confessed rug queen, even putting a spare on the following day leaves you with loads of rugs to try and get dry if its been awful wet weather. I do still have stable rugs and occasionally use one as admittedly they do look nice and snug in their pj's

 

[tatty_v]

I was previously a stable rug person but I hate the smell of them when they get dirty (plus I have a grey so anything absorbent and not water repelling results in stable stains!) so now I’ve swapped to turnout rugs in the stable as well.

I do have “stable” turnouts and outdoor turnouts though and I swap morning and evening unless the outdoor rug is wet, in which case it stays on to dry. I like swapping as it means pony gets checked over, brushed and a different fitting rug on so no rubs etc.