How to choose the right rug for your horse ?
Autumn is in full swing, and that means making sure you have the right rug on your horse for turnout. You want to protect him from cold, weather, but not so much that he'll sweat just from standing outside. Which turnout rug should you choose?
Each horse is different as far as sensitivity to cold and heat, and you should consider your own horse's needs when deciding which rug to put on him. For example, some horses move about in the yard and warm up through activity, while others are mostly idle and may need a heavier rug.
It is not uncommon for more active competition horses to be clipped, as they will dry off much faster without their thick winter coat. If you give your horse a full-body clip, you're taking away the most important way for him to stay warm, so it is very important that he can wear a rug most of the time and not get cold. Horses that get fully clipped often have problems with dry skin; here, moisturising care products such as Cowboy Magic Detangler & Shine ™ can help.
Horses can be turned out in the winter without rugs, but then they must get used to it. They must also be in good health, have access to food, be able to move about freely and have protection from rain and wind.
What to keep in mind when buying a rug for your horse:
1. Size should be determined according to the horse's back length by measuring from the withers to the root of the tail. If your horse moves a lot, it is a good idea to select a rug that has high gussets to allow for mobility.
2. Fit is important so that the rug does not pinch, but a rug so large that it slides behind the mane, or down over the shoulders, will not be comfortable for the horse. Also remember that different brands may have slightly different cuts. Finntack's own rugs are designed with the body of a trotting horse in mind. Note that a rug that just basically fits can pinch a partially-clipped horse – in which case a shoulder guard can be used instead.
3. Fill refers to the grammes of filling added to make the rug warmer. We have a large selection of turnout rugs, with and without neck, with 100 to 400 g of fill. We also have stable rugs, with and without neck, from 100 to 400 g of fill.
It is a good idea to check periodically if the horse is too hot under the rug. Put your hand on the croup and inside the girth – if the horse is sweaty, try a thinner rug. It is advisable to use a rug with tail and leg straps, as these will prevent it from blowing off if the horse is standing with its back to the wind and prevent slippage if the horse rolls on the ground.
Important: Always start from the front when putting a rug on your horse, and always start from the back when removing it.
Sweat rugs, dry rugs, coolers – these kinds of rugs wick away sweat and moisture from the horse's skin. A wool or fleece rug works well in this regard, as moisture is transported to the outside of the rug. A rug of this type of material also works well during transport.
Here are some explanations of a rug's technical properties:
Denier
This refers to the strength of the rug's outer shell. The higher the denier number, the more resistant the rug will be to wear and tear. The most common denier for turnout rugs is 600D and is suitable for most horses, but if your horse is especially playful and is turned out with other horses, you may want to choose a rug with a higher number.
Ripstop
This fabric has reinforced stitching at regular intervals in the weave, so that any tears will be confined to those specific squares and cannot do major damage to the rug.
Breathability
A rug's breathability and how much water it can withstand are often stated in numbers, for example 3000/3000. This means that it can be used in the rain, and that it breathes well so that the horse does not get too damp. This is especially important when choosing a rain rug – it must protect against rain but at the same time ensure that the horse stays dry underneath.
Fill
This refers to the rug's weight – the more fill, the warmer it will be. Finntack has both turnout rugs and stable rugs with fill between 100 and 400 g.
Remember that a horse is mostly standing still when it's in its box, so your stable rug may need more fill than a turnout rug used for when the horse is moving about outside.
