When should you rug your horse?

You’ve likely had concerns about whether your horse is going to be too hot or too cold as the weather changes. But feeling confident that you know when to rug your horse, and which rug to use, offers peace of mind and – more importantly – ensures your horse is comfortable and protected. Find out everything you need to know below.

Which horses need a rug?

Horses that need a little extra protection from the elements or help to stay warm will benefit from a rug. This could be because they are older, clipped, underweight or don’t have access to shelter when turned out.

What rugs does a horse need?

Your horse’s rug wardrobe should cover all bases, so it’s important to have a variety of weights – although some horses won’t need the heavier rugs at any point in the year.

With turnout rugs, you can choose between no-fill rain sheets, lightweights (up to 150g), medium weights (up to 300g) and heavyweights (300g and over), or you can opt for an outer shell with a range of liners to suit your needs. Stable rugs also come in a variety of weights, but you can use a turnout rug indoors if you prefer.

In the summer, you may want a fly rug and/or summer sheet depending on your needs.

Choosing a rug: how to measure your horse for a rug

Once you’ve decided on your rug weight, consider the ‘denier’ – a measure of the density of the fibres. The higher the denier, the stronger and more durable the fabric.

You should also think about waterproof ratings, although not all manufacturers list this. Fabrics rated 5,000mm or higher are generally considered waterproof in moderate to heavy rain, but some rugs offer more than this

Consider the fit carefully and always measure your horse using the manufacturer’s sizing guide. A well-fitting rug should offer enough length, with sufficient space around the chest, neck and shoulders to allow freedom of movement without rubbing. Different brands suit different builds, so it’s worth researching or trying a few to find the best fit for your horse.

Finally, consider the fixtures and fastenings. You'll pay more for ease and adjustability, but this may be worthwhile for your horse’s shape and temperament.

Will my horse be OK without a rug?

Some horses cope better than others in adverse conditions. While a hairy native pony with access to shelter could live out without a rug all year round, an older thoroughbred will need more help to keep warm.

However, as a general rule, until the temperature drops below 10°C, it’s very rarely necessary to rug a healthy, unclipped horse that has access to shelter and forage. Most horses will stay warm enough in these conditions until the temperature drops to freezing.

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How to tell if a horse is warm enough

You can usually tell whether a horse is too cold by assessing their posture. Shivering is an obvious sign that is most common when a horse is wet, as is standing in a tucked-up position with their back end and tail tucked underneath them. Horses may also huddle together, seek shelter and appear more tired or lethargic than usual.

If you’re assessing a rugged horse, put your hand under their rug when it has been on for at least 15 minutes. If your hand feels cold, they may need a heavier rug, but if they feel hot or clammy, reduce the weight or take off the rug.

Risks of over-rugging your horse

While it can be tempting to pile on the layers when we’re feeling the cold ourselves, as far as your horse is concerned, this can sometimes do more harm than good. This is especially true if you’re selecting rugs early in the morning when it’s cold, only for the temperatures to rise throughout the morning – by lunchtime your horse may be inappropriately rugged.

In the short term, over-rugging can lead to overheating of horses, who may appear to be colicking but are actually suffering from heatstroke. Over-rugging for a longer period of time can prevent natural winter weight loss, increasing the risk of your horse being overweight and developing laminitis.

Horses wearing too many rugs also have to use energy to carry the rugs around, so if you’re trying to improve a horse’s condition, this unnecessary energy expenditure could be having the reverse effect.

Knowing your horse

Knowing when to rug your horse correctly to meet their needs will take time to perfect, and this will change over the seasons with the weather. It will also change over the years as your horse gets older and their needs change.

However, following this guidance, checking the forecast and planning ahead will help ensure your horse is as comfortable as possible. Taking regular photos (unrugged) and weight-taping your horse will help you keep track of their general condition so you can alter rugs appropriately.