Published on 13/11/2024
Winter is on its way, and with the cold and damp setting in, some horses need a rug to stay comfortable. It depends on how your horse lives, their age and condition, and whether they are clipped.
In this article, Sellerie GZ explains when your horse needs a rug and how to keep them comfortable and healthy all winter.
1. When should you rug your horse?
A horse that lives out normally does not need a rug in winter. Their winter coat is designed to insulate against cold and damp, as long as they have shelter, such as a field shelter in the paddock.
In some cases, however, a rug is necessary:
- Your horse is clipped
- Your horse is elderly or arthritic
- Your horse is in fragile health
- Your horse does not grow enough of a winter coat (depending on breed or habits, for example a horse that has been stabled every winter)
2. How do you choose a rug?
Choose a rug according to several factors: its weight (the thickness of the filling, in grams), the outside temperature, and whether or not your horse is clipped.
You can also layer several rugs, putting the thinnest one underneath, against your horse's skin (for example, a 100g fleece rug underneath and a 300g waterproof rug on top).
A. My horse is clipped
Outside temperature |
Stabled |
Turned out |
Weight |
10°C to 15°C |
Waterproof sheet |
100g or less |
|
5°C to 10°C |
Fleece rug |
100 to 150g |
|
0°C to 5°C |
Stable rug |
Mid-weight waterproof turnout rug |
200g |
-5°C to 0°C |
Waterproof turnout rug |
300g |
|
-10°C to -5°C |
Heavyweight rug |
Waterproof turnout rug |
400g or more |
B. My horse is not clipped
Outside temperature |
Stabled |
Turned out |
Weight |
10°C to 15°C |
No rug |
No rug, or waterproof if it rains |
/ |
5°C to 10°C |
No rug, or waterproof if it rains |
100g or less |
|
0°C to 5°C |
Waterproof sheet |
100g |
|
-5°C to 0°C |
Stable rug |
Mid-weight waterproof turnout rug |
200g |
-10°C to -5°C |
Turnout rug |
Waterproof turnout rug |
300g |
3. How can you tell if your horse is too hot or too cold in their rug?
It is not always easy to find the right rug. If your horse's rug is not suitable, these signs can alert you:
- If your horse is too hot, you will see sweat marks on their body.
- If your horse is too cold, their skin will feel cold despite the rug, and their joints may be stiff from the cold.
In either case, change the rug to suit your horse's needs.
4. How do you keep your horse warm when working?
When working a clipped horse, it is advisable to keep them covered. There are several options:
- The BACK ON TRACK back warmer to prepare before work (15-20 minutes beforehand) or to help recovery after work (15-20 minutes afterwards). ‼️Do not leave it on overnight or during transport. Put it on before and after work, under supervision.‼️
You can also use it for groundwork, lunging or long-reining with the Back on Track neck collar, but ‼️never use it while riding‼️. - An exercise sheet (quarter sheet), available in three types:
- Fleece exercise sheet
- Waterproof exercise sheet
- Waterproof exercise sheet with fleece lining
An exercise sheet keeps your horse's loins warm while they warm up, and helps them warm down at the end of the session.
After work, if your horse has sweated, put a cooler rug on them so they do not catch a chill:
- Fleece cooler rug
We hope this article helps you keep your horse comfortable this winter ❄️