Which Rug or Combo should I buy is the most frequently asked question in our shop. Which rugs to put on your horse is different for each horse and each situation, just like it is for people.

When first rugging a new horse, you are usually better going lighter, than heavier, until you learn to read your horses comfort signs when rugged. Overheating tends to be a greater danger for horses.

Learning to read your horse's comfort when rugged is not that difficult. You can do this quick check:

• Your horse is probably too cold if they are shivering, seems unusually tense or stiff, has cold ears, or has hairs standing on end. They will huddle together in groups with other horses or turning their hindquarters into the prevailing wind.
• Your horse is probably too warm in his rug if he's sweating (check the rib cage, not just the shoulder) or seems unusually restless or thirsty
• To get familiar with your horse's comfort, you need to regularly place your hand up under the horse's rug and check the horse's coat in multiple locations. In colder weather, check that you have even warmth over different sections of the horse's body. If the horse's coat seems cool, (coat may also be slightly raised) you may need a warmer rug or an additional layer. If he seems too warm, are there signs of humidity or dampness in his coat from perspiration indicating he is to warm?

Rugging your horse in the Cooler Months:

Knowing when to rug and how many layers to use can be daunting for those new to horses, especially when you are not familiar with horse gear and terminology. There are a few very good reasons to rug your horse, apart from keeping him comfortable, the two driving factors are to keep a short show coat and reduce feeding in the cold weather.

Rugging to keep a short coat:

A horse's coat responds to the length of the day, as a trigger to know when to start growing a winter coat. As the days get shorter, a biological trigger occurs which starts the winter coat to begin to grow in. This is why many people keep their horse under lights in the evening to 'trick' the horse's biological system into thinking the days are longer and delay coat growth. Also, light rugging from early February also keeps the coat shorter leading into the cooler weather. Many people make the mistake of rugging only when the weather turns cool, at this time your horses winter coat is well and truly already growing in.

Reducing Feed Bills:

Horses in cold weather need substantially more feed to generate the body heat they require in cold weather. Rugging your horse can lead to big saving in your feed bill. The cost of the additional horse gear to keep him warm will be less than your extra feed bill over a season!

When to start rugging and how many layers:

If you want to keep a short show coat, you would start rugging lightly in February and increase the layers as the weather cools into winter. If you are rugging to just reduce your feed bill, and you are not concerned with coat length, you would start when the weather turns cold and would likely get away with just one warmer turnout rug. Many factors come into play like:

Your Horses Coat:

Horses have an excellent built-in insulator - a thick winter hair coat. Most horses will grow a thick winter coat if left unrugged during cold weather, the horse's hair stands on end, which creates airspace around the horse where it can trap heat, enabling it to stay warm. This insulation will fail when it's wet or windy - the rain causing the hair to lie flat and the wind blowing away the warm air trapped in the upstanding hair.

Putting a light rug on a hairy horse can reduce that insulating power by flattening the hairs. (and actually, make him colder!) In other words, when a blanket with inadequate insulation is put on a horse during milder weather, it forces the hairs to lie flat, taking away the horse's natural insulation. If your horse's winter coat is thin or if you want a short coat for showing, then a rug is necessary to make up for what's missing and prevent a thick coat from growing (for showing).

Weather:

Horses with full winter coats can stay warm, without rugs, in temperatures well below zero. However, it is important to consider other weather factors, such as humidity, wind chill, and rain. When soaked, even a thick winter coat can lose its warming power, leaving your horse chilled to the skin. Similarly, stiff winds can lift the hair coat, allowing icy blasts to penetrate straight to the horse's skin. So, a horse that might be comfortable naked on a dry 20-degree day might appreciate a lightweight, waterproof cover if it's windy or wet, even at a more moderate temperature.

Remember that the notions of warm and cool are often subjective, especially in Australia. A Queensland horse accustomed to winter day temperatures around 19c to 21c will likely find 13c degrees chilly if he's suddenly relocated to a southern state. That horse might need a rug even when his stable mates, accustomed to the local weather, might not. Horses require between 10 and 21 days to acclimatize to colder temperatures. As an example, on the first day of 13c weather, the horse might feel cold, but over 10-21 days of similar weather, he will become acclimatized.

Age and health:

Foals and older horses have a harder time keeping themselves warm than an animal in his prime, so a rug might boost their comfort levels and help them stay healthy. Likewise, an ill horse will benefit from an extra coat while his immune defences are low.

Rug Layers:

Every horse is different and it's very much a case of monitoring your horses daily. As a general guide, most people start rugging early in the season with a general ripstop paddock rug. As the weather starts to cool they might start using an additional rug like wool or polar fleece or even another ripstop rug overnight as the evenings turn cooler. In mid winter most people add a waterproof turnout over the top (even if it's dry) as they do a great job of keeping your horse dry, but they also are great insulators.

You need to monitor your horse regularly when you add another layer to insure they don't over heat. In most situations, it will be a case of removing a layer or two during the day and re-adding at night or when wet.

Rugging your horse in the Warmer Months:

There are 3 main reasons you might rug a horse in the warmer months and depend on your main reason, this will decide on which style or method of rugging to use. Generally lighter the rug, the more comfortable your horse will be, but its finding a balance between cool and light and stronger and more durable as they both correlate together.

Insect Protection:

Biting insects are the most common reason to rug in the warmer weather. Many horses can suffer terribly from reactions to insect bites. If you have a very sensitive horse or you have very small biting insects (like sand flies) you would opt for a rug that offers the most protection, like a cotton rug of some sort, (i.e. Cotton Ripstop paddock Rugs) which offers total block out and is difficult for insects to penetrate. If your horse is less sensitive or heat is an issue you would opt for something like mesh rugs which have better airflow, while still offering a relatively good barrier for most insects. If your horse is itchy, you need to lean towards a stronger rug that will stand up to repeated scratching. Its often finding a compromise between insect protection, strength and coolness. The More insect protection, generally the thicker the rug fabric, which comes at the expense of the horse being hotter, which can the, in turn, feed the itch cycle. For most horses, a good strong fly mesh is often the best compromise.

Avoid coat bleaching and offer some heat protection

In the darker coats, bleaching can be an issue as summer progresses Unrelenting heat from the sun in paddocks with little shade protection can also be an issue. In both cases, a light cotton rug or mesh is the best answer. They will provide sun protection and if you use very light cotton (like a flag rug), your horse will often be cooler with a light cotton rug than with no rug. Flag Rugs are very cool - but also not very strong. If your horse is a little hard on rugs, a light fly mesh may often be the best compromise.

Wet Weather Protection

In wet weather, over summer especially, rugging for wet weather is a real challenge. Waterproof rugs and cool are mutually exclusive. In summer you would only use an unlined rain sheet and only leave a turnout rain sheet on a horse while the weather is wet and then remove as soon as the weather clears, otherwise you risk overheating the horse. Keep in mind that regardless of the rugs breathability rating - in wet conditions, it will be reduced to almost zero as water covers the rug's fabric pores. This can cause condensation to accumulate on the inside of the rug. If you are using an unlined rain sheet or zero fill in  humid, extended wet or cold conditions – you may need to use in conjunction with light cotton under the rug or similar with good moisture wicking properties. The horse's perspiration and condensation need to be transported away from their skin.

It's much like us wearing a raincoat against our bare skin - with your body heat and perspiration, you will soon be very clammy under your raincoat and any moisture that enters via a neckline etc – will condense under the raincoat. You will end up very damp in a short span of time. However, if you wear a T-shirt you will help alleviate the problem.

What type of rug should I use to keep my horse 

Warm or Cool?

This really depends on the season. With such variations from season to season and even day to night time temperatures in Australia, you will need to have a variety of rugs to ensure your horse is comfortable.

Warmer Weather:

A Fly Sheet or Fly Rug is a mesh rug which offers protection from the harsh sun, allows the breeze to pass thru and keeps flies and insects away from your horse during the summer.

Mesh rugs have many advantages over Rip stop rugs in hot weather,:-

• Cooler, with better airflow, allowing the horses coat to breath & helps alleviate the itch.
• Similar strength and performance.
• They dry out very quickly after a shower of rain - alleviating the itch. While they won’t keep the horse dry they do an excellent job in preventing rain scour in most cases.
• Mesh rugs are a coarser fabric - compared to your polycotton Ripstop rugs, on horses with finer or sensitive coats, this can accelerate rubbing with extended use or if the fitting of the rug is not ideal
• https://www.aussiesaddlery.com.au/search.php?search_query=mesh

A ripstop rug is generally a cotton or polyester blend rug that often incorporates ripstop. It’s a general all-purpose rug that keeps the sun off your horse's coat, prevents the coat from fading while helping to keep your horses coat clean and short. They are also lightweight and will give your horse some insulation in the cool nights and insect protection. They are not waterproof but dry out quickly. Great for use year round.https://www.aussiesaddlery.com.au/search.php?search_query=ripstop

Hybrids refer to a rug that uses two different fabric types. The most popular design is a polycotton ripstop with mesh in the skirts and neckline. These offer the best of both worlds - insect protection, high airflow and the benefit of polycotton which is easier on delicate horses' coats. 

Flag Rugs

A very lightweight open weave cotton rug similar to cheesecloth - very cool, ideal in very hot climates - best used in stables or yards as the rugs are not strong and can be easily destroyed on the wrong horse. GSM is usually 160 to 170gsm.https://www.aussiesaddlery.com.au/zilco-flag-combo/

Cooler or Wet Weather Horse Gear:

Wool Rugs

Wool rugs are an ideal under rugs or stable rug in the cool months. Wool is a natural fibre and very breathable while also providing good insulation. It is also stronger than polar fleece and will last longer. Wool is usually a blend of wool and other fibres. A good wool rug will be at least 70% wool. .

Polar Fleece Rugs

Polar fleece is very popular as an under the rug, travel rug or stable rug in the cooler months. It doesn't have the same strength as wool but is a compromise against price. 

Synthetic Turnout Rugs and Combos

For cold or wet weather a turnout rug is most appropriate. Generally, the synthetic rugs are most suitable as they are light, 100% waterproof, and dry out easily. The downside is they do need to be removed when the weather clears in the warmer months as your horse can overheat in them once the sun comes out and humidity goes up. Unfortunately, they are yet to invent a waterproof & cool rug! Kind of like trying to find a cool raincoat or Drizabone.

Modern coatings & treatments often allow this type of rug to be breathable as well as providing weather protection. (many cheaper fabrics are not breathable.)

Synthetic Rug outers come in 600 and 1200 Denier fabrics This is a measure of strength (think like stockings). Many manufacturers have reverted to using 600 Denier because it's cheaper - but the rugs just don't last as well. In our opinion, a 1200 Denier horse rug is the best option and a balance of durability vs cost.

Turnout rugs come in both lined and unlined versions. In both Canvas and Synthetics. Synthetics are very popular and many opt for an unlined turnout combo and then layer stable/cotton ripstop rugs underneath in the cooler weather to get the desired warmth.

Synthetic Turnout rugs typically come in four fill weights:

Light or No fill

Important to select a rain sheet that has a lining - this stops the Outer Denier from sitting directly on the horse's coat. This ensures the rug can 'breath' better. These are very versatile and you can layer additional rugs underneath to get the desired warmth in the cooler months. They are always best used over a light cotton rug to help prevent condensation from horses body heat. Otherwise it is like touching the inside of a wet tent. https://www.aussiesaddlery.com.au/horze-nevada-combo-0g-1200d/

100 g Fill

Ideal for areas that experience warmer Australian Winters. The rug generates its warmth by capturing the air pockets in the polyfill lining. https://www.aussiesaddlery.com.au/horze-nevada-combo-100g-1200d/

200g Fill

150grams and below of Polyfill has very little insulation effect and it's not until you get to 200grams+ that you get enough body in the polyfill to make a difference. Polyfill linings do compress over time and provide less insulation as they thin out, this is an important factor to consider when checking your old rugs and how warm they were when purchased versus how warm they are a year or so later. https://www.aussiesaddlery.com.au/horze-nevada-combo-200g-1200d/

Canvas Rugs

Canvas offers very good breathability. They are also very strong but also very heavy, especially when wet. They are ideal in dryer climates, while Canvas is rain resistant, they will start to absorb water after a few hours of heavy rain and not suited to high rainfall areas. They are however far more breathable than synthetic rugs so certainly have there place in humid areas.

Canvas comes in different thickness or weight, often from 11oz up to 22oz. Obviously the heavier the canvas - the longer the potential waterproofing. The downside is a 22 Oz canvas is extremely heavy/hot and not very practical in our milder Australian weather.

Canvas is ideal in many situations, it provides superior strength to synthetic rugs, is very breathable and is ideal for short bursts of wet weather protection.https://www.aussiesaddlery.com.au/eureka-lined-canvas-combo/

We suggest for the best performance that you apply a waterproofing treatment to your rug after the first 12mths to increase its life.

If you require your horse to always be 100% waterproof - we suggest a synthetic rug will be better suited as they provide 100% waterproofing.