Winter rugs - things to remember

fot. Brigitte Smith ⓒ | thinkstockphoto.com

In many places there is already snow and temperature both by day or night is below 0 Celsius degrees. In such conditions, many of us face a problem: to use or not to use a rug?

Thus, we decided to answer the question by writing when to put a rug on and when it's better not to. What models and types are available on the market?

When to use a rug?

To rug, or not to rug? We are all worried about our pets when it becomes cold outside and we want to cherish them the best we can. But you have to realise that "too much" of care can be harmful to your horse.

So when should you put a winter rug on your horse?

Definitely when your horse has been shaven. Why? Because he has been devoid of his natural protection against cold, namely his winter coat. Your horse is unable to ruffle his short fur, so he has to have something in exchange so he can deal with the freezing cold. He will need a rug not only after training, but also while paddocking and being in stable (if the building is not insulated). Many riders whose horses are in regular training decide to shave them as it prevents excessive sweating. Additionally, short fur dries quickly. But if you don't have access to indoor manage and your trainings take place outdoors, you shouldn't shave your horse.

Riders, whose horses have immune deficiency - they are sick, old or they have troubles maintaining proper body temperature should also use a rug.

A rug might be also needed when a horse has changed climate. If you're transporting a horse from abroad, you have to remember that a horse that spent most of his life in warmer country may not be ready for winter temperatures in your country.

You can also use rugs when your horse is sweaty or tired, so after training. However, you should take the rug off once they cool after the training. If you let him be in the rug for too long - he will sweat again and your trying to dry him will have the exact opposite result.

source: dressage.pl, phot. Julia Świętochowska

If your horse hasn't been shaved and doesn't have problems with thermoregulation of his body, dressing him in a rug in stable or on pasture is not necessary. But if you decide to use a rug anyway at the beginning of winter season, you cannot resign from using it half way through the winter. Why? Your horse's organism will get used to producing less heat and if you decide to take the rug off one day, it might turn out that he'll catch a cold. So you have to be consistent in using rugs, as you are interfering with the horse's thermoregulatory balance.

Winter rugs - types

Training rugs

Training rugs are very popular among riders, because they are perfect for providing protective barrier for your sweaty and tired horse after training. Those rugs usually are made of a single layer of fleece due to which they are easy to wash if your horse would wallow in his stall or on a pasture. They are light, so you can easily put them on the croup at the end of a ride. When you take a saddle off your horse, you can cover your horse with the rug and wait until it soaks all the sweat. What is important, these rugs are very easy to dry them.

From left: Eskadron Dots Nici fleece sweat rug, ESKADRON Nici Bicolor fleece sweat rug

Stable rug

Stable rug are supposed to protect your horse against heat loss. They are usually thickly padded (200-400g) - the higher their grammage is, the more warmth they provide. These rugs usually have attachable hoods, which cover the horse's neck.

From left: ESKADRON Ripstop 400G winter stable rug, ESKADRON Ripstop 200G winter stable rug 

Paddock rugs

Paddock rugs should protect your horse not only against the cold but also rain and snow. The outer material is always waterproof. Like stable rugs, they are characterised with thicker padding and possibility of attaching a hood.

KINGSLAND Classic winter outdoor rug with neck

Under rugs

If you don't want to buy another rug, but only beef up the one you already have, you can purchase an under rug. You can apply it to increase your rug's grammage, i.e. to make it thicker, at the same time make it warmer. There are various under rug available on the market.

If your horse gets abrasions from rugs, it's worth investing in a protective under rug, which covers the withers and chest and is fastened on the abdomen.

From left: EQUILINE Edinburgh protective under rug, ESKADRON 240 G under rug

Types of fastening

Every producer offers different kind of fastening and attaching the rugs:

1. Fastening with front buckle (one or two)

They additionally allow you to regulate the rug's size. Straps with buckles are used in almost every rug, because they prevent rugs from shifting.

2. Fastening on the abdomen (one or two cross straps)

Useful element, which protects the horse's back against wind. What is more, this type of fastening makes it more difficult for your horse to take it off.

3. With hood

Usually to stable and paddock (outdoor) rugs there are attachable so-called necks, which additionally protects your horse's neck against cold.

4. Tail strap or cover

Tail strap allows you to adjust the rug so it won't change its position. What is more, in paddock rugs there are usually short covers for tail velcro.

Rug not only for horse

Many of you have not only horses, but also other four-legged friends - dogs. Breeds not used to low temperatures do not have changeable coat (from summer to winter) and they should wear rugs.

source: dressage.pl, phot. Julia Świętochowska

ESKADRON Ripstop fleece rug for dog

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