Rug Wrap Up

After months of hot, dry conditions across much of the country during summer and even into Autumn, horse owners might find themselves unprepared for the changing weather conditions as winter sets in. Ideally, some thought should now be given as to what your horse’s requirements may be for the winter months and how best to cater to them, plus your own personal preferences for managing the rugging process at this time of year.
Naturally, many factors will have an affect on how best and easily you manage your horse in winter, including what the horse is used for, it’s living arrangements, with stabled horses having different needs to paddocked horses, shelter available and the amount of time allocated to day to day management practices.
While some aspects of the horses’ living conditions can’t be easily altered, such as providing stabling or shelters where there are none, especially if your horse is not kept on your own property, the one aspect of winter horse keeping that can be easily changed, adapted or improved upon is being able to keep your horse warm and dry. This can be achieved effectively with the correct use of rugs designed specifically for winter, providing that the rugs chosen are suitable for the conditions and environment in which they will be used, and are checked on a regular basis to ensure they remain in good condition and are fitting properly.
Before the first of the winter rains arrive, it is important to check the condition of any old rugs that you plan on using as, after being in storage for six months or so, some may be deteriorating, especially if they were not cleaned, dried and stored correctly after last winter. A thorough check of all the rug lining and outer shell is essential. There is no point using a rug with any tears or splits as the horse may be better off with no rug on at all than one that could leak, absorb moisture and stay wet. Attention should be given to straps and fittings to ensure they are clean and supple as once dried out and stiff they can be irritating and rub, while clips that don’t open easily could be a safety hazard and are just plain annoying for the handler when they are trying to remove a heavy, often wet, winter rug.
After checking the rug condition, consider if they are still meeting your requirements. Is your situation the same this winter or have things changed, such as the addition of stables, has your horse been clipped, being used for a different purpose, had a change in their health or getting older. Changes such as these could require a rethink of your rugging routine and acquiring rugs more suited to the new situation would save money and time in the long term.
Each year it is also important to check that rugs being used or purchased actually fit your horse correctly, as badly fitting rugs can cause problems with rubbing, leaking and even pose a safety hazard with an increase in the likelihood of the horse getting them fully, or worse, partially off. Despite an Australian sizing guide, there can also be differences in sizes between brands so, while a 5’9” in one brand might be a good fit, a different brand in that size might not fit as well. Still, as there are huge variations in the sizing of people’s clothes, it’s perhaps not unexpected that buying horse rugs can pose the same sizing discrepancies and dilemmas!
As rugs are available in all shapes and sizes and to suit all budgets, often it is not worth paying for repairs or new straps and fittings for old rugs as it may work out more economical and sensible to purchase a new rug. Consumers are really spoiled for choice as manufacturers and retailers cater to every possible size and rugging requirement with the vast array of rugs offered in stores and online. Purchase the right rugs and your horse will stay warm and cosy no matter what the weather or their living conditions.
For paddocked horses, a couple of rugs or sets ideally should be used as that way they can be ‘rotated’ and allowed to dry out and cleaned on a regular basis. Stabled horses can have their ‘day’ rugs removed each night to dry out while rugs more suitable for the stable are worn inside. For paddocked horses kept rugged day and night, where possible, a warmer paddock rug or the addition of an under rug can add extra warmth to cope with the drop in temperatures through the night.

Purchase the right rugs and your horse can stay warm and cosy, no matter what the weather or its living conditions.

The Buyers Guide to Winter Rugs highlights a broad selection of rugs available and the features each of these display. The potential benefits of these features may depend on your personal preference or your individual situation and requirements, as what may be ideal or preferred for one horse or owner may prove to be unnecessary to another.
Many horse owners have discovered that once they find a rug they are happy with they buy the same ‘model’ year after year, while others have found after years of trial and error that what they like to use on one horse is not suitable on another. Some may try a new rug each season in the quest to find a better one or improve upon what has been used quite successfully in the past, as they are aware that these days manufacturers are constantly upgrading and improving the shapes, styles and materials used.
Others may simply look at how much they have to spend and purchase accordingly, although a rug that is bought without factoring in how it fits or performs may not last as long and therefore end up costing more than others in the long run. Two rugs that can be changed regularly may work out more cost effective than just one more expensive one. Many rugs are available as Combos and these are preferred by some over a separate rug and neck rug or hood.
Clearly, from all the information available on the manufacturing of rugs it is not simply a case of buying the ‘one size fits all’ rug if you want to ensure comfort for your horse and the most economical option for your pocket. With so many choices, careful consideration of your horse’s needs, living conditions and your own personal requirements and management practices should help simplify the process of rugging right this winter.

Download 'The Buyers Guide to Winter Rugs' pdf

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