Rugging Horses Guide

Before putting a rug or a heavier one on your horse consider all the many variables.

Rugging horses guide.

Generally it is better for horses to be slightly too cold than too hot. Print out this guide and keep it in the barn for easy access during rug season. The science of rugging horses what to use when. Dr david marlin as we move towards october despite some nice warm autumn days the colder nights and mornings probably have most of us reaching for our body warmers fleeces and jackets when we go to see our horses.

As a general rule if your horse is not clipped and in healthy shape the following temperatures may require rugging if your horse is stabled. Horses that are clipped under the weather or elderly for example will require more rugging through the colder winter months than good doers native breeds and those that are unclipped. Over rugging or putting a rug on too soon can compromise a horse s ability to do this. Remember rugging less can also help in weight management especially of good doers who need to lose weight over winter.

Horses that are used to the colder weather and have spent most of their time outside tend to cope better with cooler temperatures than horses that are stabled all the time. To help with the decision of what rug to put on ruby daily i use this chart which helps me to decide when i should be using certain rugs on her. The hair erector muscles need exercising like any muscle in order to work efficiently. Horses should gain weight during the summer and lose weight during the winter by over rugging we mess with their hormone levels which as already mentioned can lead to laminitis and other problems.

Every horse is different and should be treated as an individual case. This chart is meant to be used as a guide only you know your horse best. Want to know more about rugging your horse. Bathing a horse in inclement winter weather in cold water is not ideal and is an important consideration in a basic guide to rugging horses.

Stable management routine level of work access to forage feeding regime and the type and condition of the horse. Combined with which rugging is very different for every horse as it depends on breed weight climate his work load and even their coats themselves. Make sure you use a combo rug. Once bathed even in warm water a wicking rug should be applied until the horse is dried and then the horse can be rugged and checked a few times before a final rug choice is made.

Below is a recommended guide to rugging your horse whatever the weather. Negative 10 to 0 degrees 1200denier with 300gram polyfill rug with a quaity cotton or fleece rug underneath is recommended.