Why is horse rug care so important?

A rug is not just a cover for the horse – especially turnout rugs have to meet extreme requirements and are made of high-quality functional materials that can only develop their full effect if the rug is top cared for.

What happens if I do not care for horse rugs?

Heavy soiling, improper storage and lack of care can permanently damage the material and impair its properties. As a general rule, the more functions the horse rug has to fulfil, the more time you should put into caring for it. Turnout rugs for horses are sometimes among the models that require the most care – they are often made of functional materials that make the rug waterproof and breathable at the same time thanks to its semi-permeable membrane.

Soiling such as dried mud or dust, but also contact with the horse’s excrement can cause these membranes to stick together or become clogged, so that the waterproofness and breathability of the rug can no longer be guaranteed.

Horse rug care should always be adapted to the type of rug. The best advice can be found in the washing instructions on the label. Unsuitable detergents, fabric softeners, too high a spin cycle or drying rugs in the tumble dryer or at too high temperatures (e.g. in the hot sun or on the radiator) can damage any horse rug.

In the next section of our guide, we will explain step by step how to care for your horse rug.