What types of horse rugs are there?

Lightweight rugs for horses

Lightweight rugs are characterized by a special coating that is designed to prevent water prevent the penetration of water. Seams that are well processed and ideally welded or taped to counteract this are particularly protected against the penetration of moisture. They are mostly made of synthetic fibres such as polyester, as these offer optimum breathability and tear resistance at the same time. Lightweight rugs are also available with or without a filling. With the help of our overview, you can easily find out whether and when you need a horse rug with a filling. In order to maintain the waterproof properties of lightweight and heavywheight rugs for horses, it is necessary to re-impregnate the rugs regularly. You can find out more about this in our care guide for horse rugs.

• Use: outdoor
• Purpose: rain protection, warming
• Properties: waterproof, breathable, tear-resistant

Heavyweight rugs for horses

A heavyweight rug should meet the same criteria as an unlined lightweight rug in terms of waterproofness, wind protection and breathability. Depending on the activity, the condition of the coat and the outside temperature, the right filling can create the optimal warmth for the horse. The easiest way to find out when your horse needs which rug is to use our overview. Proper care is also important for heavyweight rugs in order to maintain the functionality of the material properties. You can read more about this in our care guide.

• Use: outdoor
• Purpose: rain protection, warming
• Fillings: 50g to 500g
• Properties: waterproof, breathable, tear-resistant

Rug combination systems as a 3-in-1 solution

If you want to be prepared for all situations, you should think about purchasing a combination rug. Here, you can use the unlined turnout rug as a base and, if necessary, combine it with liner rugs, which can also be used as a single element as a stable rug. With the combination system, one has the possibility to respond appropriately to the individual needs of the horse.

Stable rugs for horses

As the name suggests, a stable rug is only suitable for use in the stable. Like the turnout rugs, it is available with different fillings in order to be able to care for the individual needs of the horse and the temperature-related requirements. Stable rugs are characterized by the smooth outer material so that the bedding does not stick to the rug. With horses that move very little in the stable, tear resistance does not play as much of a role as it does with turnout rugs. For horses that roll frequently in the stable, it is advisable to pay attention to a combination of fastening options such as cross surcingles, leg straps and tail straps so that the best possible hold is given. If horse rugs are not equipped accordingly from the start, suitable accessories can also help to improve the fit and hold of the rug. You can read more about this in our rug accessories guide. In addition to being used as stable rugs, these can also be used, for example, as travel rugs in winter.

• Area of use: indoor, transport
• Purpose: warming, protection against soiling (e.g. before competitions or over bandages on injuries)
• Fillings: no filling up to 450 g
• Properties: breathable, tear-resistant, smooth outer material

Horse walkers and exercise rugs

Horse walker and exercise rugs are a sensible purchase if the horse is often put in the horse walker or if you often train or ride out in the open. If you have a covered horse walker available or you do not ride out in bad weather, you can do without a waterproof version. If the horse is exposed to the weather during training, a waterproof horse rug should be available to protect the back and kidney area. A fleece lining provides additional warmth and still allows the horse to cool-down while moving. In summer there are also special rugs made of light mesh material to protect against insects. You can find more information on the subject of fly protection in our guide. If the training or the ride continues into the evening hours, you can use reflective elements to ensure more safety in the dark.

• Area of use: training, hacking, horse walker
• Purpose: protection of the back and kidney area
• Fillings: no filling up to 200 g
• Features: free shoulder area

Wicking rugs for horses

The wicking rug is part of the basic equipment of a horse. Wicking rugs are primarily used for warming up or after training for cooling down. This way, the horse is protected from the cold caused by evaporation and tension is avoided. Breathable materials such as fleece, felt or microfibre are used here. If the horse is often in the stable with the rug, you can use a microfibre or jersey cooler, which uses the smooth material to keep shavings and straw from sticking. Especially for the summer, very light wicking rugs with mesh inserts are designed, which ensure optimal air circulation and at the same time serve as fly protection. You can find out more about this in our fly protection guide. When buying a wicking rug, you should also pay attention to the closures. If you want to put the rug on for cooling down, surcingles can be a nuisance and even become a dangerous trip hazard for the horse if they hang down to the ground. A rug without surcingles is ideal here, or it is best to use a rug with removable straps immediately. If the horse is to wear the rug unattended for a longer period of time, e.g. in the stable, cross surcingles ensure the best hold.

• Area of use: training, transport, stables
• Purpose: protection against evaporation cold, warming, protection of the back and kidney area
• Properties: breathable

Fly rugs for horses

Optimal fly protection is a must for horse owners in summer. In our comprehensive fly protection guide we explain how your horse protects itself from flies and what you can actively do to support it. In addition to the use of fly repellents, one component of fly protection is covering with a fly sheet. It should be made of breathable and close-meshed net material so that the insects cannot get through the mesh and at the same time the air can circulate sufficiently.

What to do when it rains?

When buying the rug, you should pay attention to a quick-drying fabric (this is usually given by the polyester mesh material). A sensitive horse should wear a rug with a long neck and a generous belly flap. Horses that react particularly strongly to stings receive maximum protection with a sweet itch rug. Fair-skinned horses and those with sweet itch should definitely wear a rug with UV protection. If you would like to read more about what you can do in the area of fly protection for horses, riders and stables and what the zebra fly rugs are all about, please read our fly protection guide.

• Application: outdoor, summer
• Purpose: fly protection
• Properties: breathable, quick-drying, UV protection

Sweet itch rugs for horses

In the case of sweet itch, the following applies – the greater the protection, the better the horse gets through the summer time. A good sweet itch rug with a belly flap, neck section and a generous tail flap should be combined with a sweet itch mask. The material should be breathable and elastic so that the horse does not sweat and can move freely in the paddock. Sweet itch rugs enclose the majority of the horse’s body thanks to elastic inserts, so that it is almost impossible for the sweet itch cause to get through. As the sun’s rays also promote sweet itch, you should make sure that you have UV protection when buying a sweet itch rug. Rugs with removable genital and udder protection also take into account the most sensitive parts of the body. Your horse suffers from sweet itch and you would like to know more about how you can protect your horse from black flies, midges & co.? What options are there regarding sweet itch care and how can my horse get relief from sweet itch with specific nutrition? We answer these and more questions for you in the sweet itch guide.

• Use: outdoor
• Purpose: sweet itch, highly sensitive horses
• Properties: breathable, elastic, tear-resistant, UV protection