Summer Rug

Selections

Find the right rug to suit your horse and your budget.

After one of the driest winters ever recorded in Australia, most horse owners will already have cleaned and stored their winter rugs, however the change in seasons does not necessarily mean an end to rugging. In most cases, it simply results in a change to the type of rugs being used.

Horses are rugged during the spring and summer period for a variety of reasons and fortunately, manufacturers have developed a range of rugs to suit every possible need. Once the individual horse and owner’s requirements have been established, the next step is to find the right rug to suit your needs, wants and budget.

The following are suggestions for different categories and according to participating Australian manufacturers and retailers, their rugs are well suited for these particular conditions and uses. It is worth noting however, that many rugs are designed in a way to suit many uses and conditions and will be just as effective in additional categories or suitable for a range of uses. Environmental factors also have an impact on the suitability and lifespan of any horse rug, with the horse’s living conditions and length of ‘wear’ time greatly affecting their lifespan.

Bright and Breezy
Horses needing rugs to suit this category will be spending the majority of the summer months outside and therefore need rugs that are durable, yet ‘breathable’. Rugs especially suitable for this type of horse include those with heat reflecting qualities and ventilation features, such as shadecloth inserts. Also relevant would be rugs that are easy to wash and that dry quickly, whether after a change-of-season rain shower or a spin in the washing machine. Many rugs available are well suited to these requirements including the X-Calibur Summer Synthetic Rug and Combo from National Equestrian Wholesalers, which features a lightweight 600 Ripstop Waterproof Denier Outer and cotton lining. It is inserted with a synthetic satin chest to prevent rug rubbing and synthetic satin lining in the neck of combo/hood and neckrug to prevent mane rub. It protects from the elements and the occasional thunder storm, is equipped with the unique ‘Quick Clip’ chest straps and offers a comfortable and secure fit.
Other purpose made rugs include the Zilco Supa-Air Combo, combining the durability and UV protection of Zilco’s exclusive supastop material over the topline, with strong polyester mesh sides for ventilation.
From Saddleworld the Euro Hunter Grand National Light Rug is bound and made from exceptional light weight soft ripstop material with satin lined shoulder gussets, soft webbing leg straps and improved shape. It provides comfort and freedom of movement while keeping your horse cool in the hottest conditions.
Lilydale Road recommends the Capricorn sheet that is bright white with a fine check to reflect the heat, is tough anti-static polyester and dries extremely quickly.
From Edinburgh Rugs, the Lowlander offers an excellent fit, is super cool and strong, and is a quick drying white rip stop. HorseLines offers a range of rugs to suit with a rug/neck rug, and combo in high quality cotton canvas and breeze mesh to provide UV protection on the top part of the horse while keeping the body cool.
Mulders lightweight Australian made canvas rug is ideal for the horse that spends the majority of its time in the paddock. With heavy duty PVC fittings, light colour to reflect the harsh summer sun, it is lightweight, waterproof and ideal for when the summer weather suddenly turns bad.
The GG Australia Breeza Flag Rug offers double chest straps, leg straps, shoulder gussets, tail flap and is a lightweight breathable and cooling rug. The Kool Master Cotton Show Rug is 100% cotton, colourful, lightweight and breathable.
From Weatherbeeta a number of rugs are ideally suited, including the Summer Sheet Rug and Combo with Freestyle Tail Flap. Offering freedom and protection it features the exclusive Freestyle Full Wrap Tail Flap to guard against the elements and is made from a high quality, tough 370 gram ripstop fabric to provide durable, breathable protection. The Kool Coat Classic provides superior protection against heat, UV rays and insects and features a 270 gram soft ripstop outer with nylon lined shoulders to prevent rubbing. Lighter than the regular Kool Coat, the Kool Coat Lite is ideal for ‘hotter’ horses with lightweight fabric ensuring greater airflow.
From Sunset rugs, the Cooler Rug is perfect for hot days when out competing or in the stable. This fabric has lots of tiny holes throughout so air can flow over the skin, helping to cool the horse and keep their body temperature constant. They fit well, come with fully reinforced fittings and are available in a range of colours.

Insect Prone
Horses needing rugs to suit this category are those that tend to react badly to insect bites, are irritated by insects landing on them/buzzing around, or generally have sensitive skin. Some rugs offer special insect control features, including matching fly veils and leg covers to provide protection. Given that many ‘insect prone’ horses will often spend some time stabled in an effort to make them more comfortable, summer rugs designed specifically for a stable environment - not being robust enough for constant outside use - also fall into this category.
Saddlery Trading offers a number of rugs that are well suited including the GG Australia Maxiflow Rug, which is breathable, cooling and available as a rug, combo and hood with ears to offer protection from flies.
Also suitable for insect protection is the Kool Master Fly Mesh Combo and the GG Australia Fly Mesh Combo.
The Sunset Breeze range is a good option for those horses that suffer from insect bites or that feel the heat. Made from a tough Tearstop canvas with a large mesh insert, which allows greater air flow over the horse, the mesh is durable and long lasting, will not creep up like shade cloth, is UV stabilized so it will not perish in the sun or under harsh conditions. Fully machine washable, longer drops for taller horses are also available.
Providing unsurpassed airflow and defence from insects, the WeatherBeeta Airflow features the Freestyle Full Wrap Tail Flap for even greater protection. Made from a breathable, soft polyester mesh outer with satin lined neck, shoulders and mane strip, it is ideal for stabled horses and will help keep their coats in top condition.
The Lilydale Road Fly rug, made from outdoor mesh, will keep biting bugs at bay. It is extremely tough and is available with matching fly boots and mask.
Charlie Brown Horse Rugs suggest their summer rug as being perfect for an insect prone horse. A lightweight and breathable summer rug, it not only protects from insects, but also shields from the harsh summer sun. Constructed from an ultra strong ripstop material, this top of the line rug has all the features you would expect and is designed especially for Australian conditions and built to last.
National Equestrian Wholesalers suggest the ShowCraft Flymesh Summer Rug and Combo, a fully bound synthetic mesh which, is lightweight, allowing plenty of airflow, and is extremely quick to dry after a summer shower or a wash. There is also the added BONUS of a free flymask with velcro detachable nose protector – to protect from nose to tail.
Horselines offers a comfortable, light weight rug that provides a built in insect protector for the eye and ears, and a light mesh all over the horse.
For horses that are bothered by flies, Mulders recommends the Zilco Supa-Air Combo. The knitted polyester fabric fits snuggly and allows for plenty of airflow so you can rug your horse on the hottest of days.

Destructive
Horses requiring rugs to suit this category are known ‘rug wreckers’ that need special consideration in terms of the quality and strength of fittings and materials.

The lightweight, mesh-lined WeatherBeeta Orican Freestyle Lite is super tough with a 1200 denier outer to help it stand up to the harshest punishment. It has no polyfill, so is ideal for milder weather or days when you can’t trust the weather.
Lilydale Road suggest the Capricorn Breeze (polyester/cotton), Aquaproof and Fly rugs as they are made from best quality fabrics that withstand even the naughtiest horse.
The Overlander from Edinburg Rugs is smart enough for show wear yet tough enough for the paddock, showerproof, breathable and 24oz unlined rip stop.
Saddleworld suggest the aptly named Euro Hunter Gladiator, an unlined canvas rug, which features super soft 21oz ripstop canvas and matching unlined neck rugs to suit the horse that is tough on rugs.
The Zilco Cool Blue Combo 600 Denier Polyester ripstop material stands up to tough conditions and has a polyester net lining, is waterproof and breathable.
The GG Australia Tear Stop Rug from Saddlery Trading is a tough ripstop, breathable rug and the Kool Master Cotton Ripstop Rug is also ripstop, breathable and a cooling 70% cotton and 30% polyester.
The Sunset Summer Combo is great for horses that make it their mission in life to wreck rugs, as they don’t move, so the horse is comfortable and able to focus on things other than rug destruction. Made using a genuine Australian made Tearstop, the open shoulder gusset is design registered, the fittings fully reinforced and there is a generous tail flap and a longer drop for taller horses available.
From Mulders, the Australian made cotton summer rug is ideal for the more destructive as it is made from strong and durable, but lightweight, 10oz cotton, is fully bound, has heavy duty polycotton leg straps and reinforced PVC chest strap.

Designer
The owners of horses needing rugs in this category like to have all their ‘summer wardrobe’ totally co-ordinated so rug ranges that offer matching bindings or colour schemes for hoods/neck rugs, bandages, float boots and other accessories are ideal. Often items like saddlecloths and rider clothing that also match are available, which is ideal for those looking to be ultra coordinated. Rugs that offer little extras in terms of quality like a supersoft material, decorative stitching, satin linings and attractive patterning also fit into this category, as do those at the more expensive end of the market with price often being a secondary consideration.
Saddleworld suggest the Euro Hunter Grand National Deluxe Rug, which is a good looking everyday rug suitable for summer or as an under rug. Made from a ripstop soft polyester cotton mix, which is very durable, the rug features polypropylene binding, extra deep drop, large tail flap and satin lined shoulder gussets.
Sunset Rug’s show rugs come in a wide range of fabric and colour choices, allowing a rug set that is completely individual. Show sets are offered in pure cotton, pure wool, satin, corduroy and velvet and can be made with matching float or paddock boots, saddle cloths and quarter sheets, plus a full embroidery service is available.
The Edinburg Sir William Wallace rug is an eye-catching design that is great as a lightweight rain sheet or a smart travel/show rug as it is made in a quick drying breathable 600D fabric with nylon taffeta lining.
The Kool Master Cotton Show Rug from Saddlery Trading features contrasting rope piping and is 100% cotton, colourful, lightweight and breathable. Their aptly named Tropicana 600D Nylon Rug is breathable, ripstop and waterproof, and is in a number of fashionable colours.
Show elegance is National Equestrian Wholesaler’s ‘Summer Blue’ Check Cotton Combo or Rug range, which allows you to create a stylish travel set with a Eureka Sky Blue halter and lead and blue All Season tail bag. It will protect against sun, dust and flies and is machine washable.
From Zilco, the Regal’s heavy cotton drill with contrast binding is ideal for those looking for a smart rug with a range of matching accessories, including halters, leads, shipping boots, saddlecloths, bandages and fly bonnets. Horseline’s summer rug range comes in bright colours with matching fleece travel or show rugs and optional bandages. The colour selection is the latest colours only released in Europe a few months ago and the breeze mesh is super fine, comfortable and light to wear but extremely strong.
Lilydale Road’s summer sheets have lined shoulders and tail flaps with the shoulder gussets positioned to allow maximum freedom and comfort. The show sets, in a special cotton drill, are double bound in your own special colour scheme, with embroidery available to complete the picture.
The WeatherBeeta Landa Freestyle Lite Rug and Combo is stylish with a breathable polycotton lining to keep the horse comfortable, whilst the 600 denier waterproof and breathable outer guards against the elements. The WeatherBeeta Cotton Show Rug is an attractive cotton dress rug, available in this season’s most fashionable colours with satin lined shoulders, a fleece wither protector to help prevent rubbing, while rear darts offer a contoured fit. The show outfit can be completed with a matching hood and tail bag.

Function without Frills
Rugs to suit this category are for the horse and owner who aren’t that fussed about having everything matching and don’t have a huge budget but want a value-for-money, serviceable rug that will see out at least one summer of use.
The Zilco Supastop is an extremely strong polyester ripstop fabric with the feel of cotton, featuring a diamond rip grid to make the rug 30% stronger than previous models.
The Saxon 600 Lite Rug and Combo is a fully featured rug at a bargain price. The waterproof, breathable 600 denier outer protects your horse from unpredictable weather, making it ideal for Autumn and Spring and has no polyfill so helps keep your horse cool.
The Euro Hunter Grand National Light Rug from Saddleworld is bound and made from exceptional light weight, soft ripstop material. It can also be used as a under-rug, providing better comfort and freedom of movement while keeping your horse cool in hot conditions.
For those that prefer canvas to synthetic, National Equestrian Wholesalers offer the Eureka Blue Ripstop Unlined Canvas Rug and Combo, combining warmth and waterproof protection during the transition period from winter/spring through to summer.
The Zilco Hamilton rug is a lightweight, double ripstop canvas rug with shoulder gusset, generous 1mtr drop and tail flap.
The Mulder’s Summer Breeze cotton rug is made of a ripstop cotton blend, which allows the horse’s skin to breathe, is fully bound and especially designed to reflect even the strongest sunlight. It also comes with good quality fittings and is a great fit. While it may be a little more expensive than some others on the market this rug is Australian made and is made to last.
The Sunset Rug’s Summer Paddock rug is real value for money. Made from an Australian made Tearstop canvas, this rug comes with all the extras included as standard and is available in a wide choice of binding colours, is fully machine washable and tough enough for Australian conditions.

CONTRIBUTING RUG DISTRIBUTORS
Saddlery Trading - ph 1800 777 249 www.saddlerytrading.com
Weatherbeeta -www.weatherbeeta.com
Horseland - www.horseland.com.au
Sunset Rugs ph 08 9733 5696 www.sunsetrugs.com.au
Zilco ph 02 8765 9999, www.zilco.com.au
Charlie Brown Rugs, www.horserugs.com.au
Horselines 0409 994 409, www.horselines.com.au
Saddle World www.saddleworld.com.au
National Equestrian Wholesalers ph 03 9464 1599 www.natequest.com.au
Mulders ph 03 9571 7544 www.mulders.com.au
Lilydale Road ph 08 9295 6589 www.lilydaleroad.com.au
Edinburgh ph 02 6355 6229