Turnout rugs with necks

AthenesOwl

AthenesOwl

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I’ve had my first horse for nearly two months now, and I’m slowly getting to grips with what weight of rug he needs according to the weather, although I seem to spend an awful lot of time worrying about my choice.

However, although I got rugs with detachable necks, I don’t really know when or whether to use them, and he’s been out apparently quite happily with just the rug on so far. He lives out, and seems warm enough, including his ears. His coat is fluffier on his neck, and he’s not clipped.

If it’s not too obvious a question, how would I know if he needed to wear the neck on his rug?
 
Thank you, that’s really helpful. He seems to be maintaining his weight, and he’s generally pretty clean. Fortunately, his field has reasonable drainage as it’s quite sandy soil, so he doesn’t get too grubby.

His mane isn’t especially thick, and I’ve been wary of using a neck in case it rubs and makes it thinner. It’s good to know he doesn’t seem like he needs one just now.
 
Tend to use them with Lari my retired boy, as he is out 24/7 and doesn't come inside, albeit a few minutes for his feed morning and night.

Necks offer greater protection against the cold and driving rain so I always buy rugs with necks.

I'm not fussed about his mane being rubbed out, but an application of Keratex mudshield talc or baby oil on the inside of the neck helps prevent mane loss anyway.
 
I’m not sure they ever “need” a neck. We used to not have neck covers at all. I always use a neck as it keeps the horse so much cleaner and to me that’s really important, I don’t have hours to get mud off a grey horse! but I probably use a lighter rug with a neck than I would without.
I think it’s actually nicer for them to be uncovered a bit to allow grooming and just for their skin to breathe.
 
I’ll keep the wind/rain situation in mind, and add a neck if it’s going to be particularly bad. Fortunately, my boy’s field is pretty sheltered and it’s not been as bad with me as in some parts of the country. I really like the idea of using a no fill neck cover when he does need one, regardless of what rug he’s in.

He’s also bay, so no need to worry about keeping a grey horse nice and clean!

There’s so much to learn, so thank you all for your help.
 
Depends on the horse… if a horse prone to feeling the cold / who must be kept as warm and dry as poss or one whose mane is a nightmare to brush if muddy then yes I’d use a neck most of the time.

For a “normal” horse they probably only really “need” one if tipping it down & you want to stop it dripping down the inside of their rug.

My Welshie who was not very waterproof & dropped weight if cold then he pretty much lived in neck rugs with appropriate naked time on dry, sunny days. The current Highland is fully clipped and mainly lives in his rainsheet or 50g depending on weather. He only gets a neck if it pees it down or I need his neck clean.
 
I only use necks if their neck is fully clipped
I hate what necks do to their manes so try to avoid
 
AthenesOwl said:
I’ve had my first horse for nearly two months now, and I’m slowly getting to grips with what weight of rug he needs according to the weather, although I seem to spend an awful lot of time worrying about my choice.

However, although I got rugs with detachable necks, I don’t really know when or whether to use them, and he’s been out apparently quite happily with just the rug on so far. He lives out, and seems warm enough, including his ears. His coat is fluffier on his neck, and he’s not clipped.

If it’s not too obvious a question, how would I know if he needed to wear the neck on his rug?
Click to expand...
I base it on the warmth of the horse
the weather conditions
whether he is clipped or not
age of the horse
and if he or she is holding their weight
or not
 
JBM said:
I only use necks if their neck is fully clipped
I hate what necks do to their manes so try to avoid
Click to expand...
I agree but I found the solution for my mare who's mane came out, I sold the 300g rugs which had heavier rug and neck cover and heated neck up so itchy necks, and now use a 200g with an under rug not a combi so less weight on the horses neck and when cold but the body of the horse got more warmth. Mane never got rubbed
 
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A local retirement livery yard specifies rugs of 0g and 50g. No necks. Their experience is that horses without neck covers come out of winter in better condition than those with neck covers.
 
Most unclipped horses do not need necks and imo are far better off without necks. Less chance of rubbing and allows the horse to heat regulate much better. They are generally only used to make their human feel better and it’s usually not in the best interest of the horse imo.
 
Both of mine are fully clipped but they only wear 0g neck covers with their thicker rugs. Mainly they wear them for my convenience, I don't think they are really necessary. As soon as the weather is drier (ha ha) the neck covers come off.
Neck covers weren't invented until I was about 30. Our fully clipped horses seemed fine before that.
I certainly wouldn't be worried about a neck cover on an unclipped horse with a decent coat.
 
I got rid of all my neck covers, they rub manes out and some of them never completely recover. As said before, they're more for convenience (keeping the horse clean) and making the owners' feel better. I am a fan of Wugs, though, I still have one of those for nasty weather.
 
Ours wear turnouts in their stables, if it’s particularly cold I’ll have the neck on, but usually I’ll take the necks off when they are in their stables. Or if it’s a milder sunny day I’ll take the necks off.
 
ihatework said:
Most unclipped horses do not need necks and imo are far better off without necks. Less chance of rubbing and allows the horse to heat regulate much better. They are generally only used to make their human feel better and it’s usually not in the best interest of the horse imo.
Click to expand...
This
 
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