Flexible horse rug solutions for changable weather

Why use a horse rug?

By now we all know that horses can maintain their body temperature down to 5 degrees Celsius, but there are a lot of good reasons why you may choose to rug your horses a little, or a lot! Here are scenarios where a horse rug is a benefit:

• Nights are extremely cold and your horse is using excess energy staying warm, even with lots of good long stem forage (hay, balage, haylage) to help them generate warmth.
• Wind chill is making the real temperature outside much lower than the official temperature shows. This is especially true in exposed fields without natural windbreaks.
• Extended rainfall, even quite light, can lead to your horse becoming very chilled over time. Last spring it rained lightly for days, and a lot of horses who normally are not bothered were shivering, simply because it had gone on so long without a break.
• Horses who need extra support to stay warm - thin older or rescue horses, horses with naturally very lightweight fur, clipped horses, ill horses, horses without shelter in their field or on exposed pastures.

Go mesh-sided for an extra breathable rug

Mesh-canvas combos or waterproof synthetic-mesh rugs are a great option for horses who will benefit from waterproofing on top and breezy breathable sides. By keeping the horses topline dry, but letting the breeze cool their sides, they will enjoy dry comfort and fly protection.

In summertime you can even use a cotton-mesh combo rug to offer sun and very light shower protection without over heating your horse, and while keeping bugs off them.

Make your lightweight rug 'up-gradable'

Living in Northland, Auckland or dealing with very changeable weather? You might need a lighter weight rug but want the flexibility to offer extra warmth and protection.

Unlined 0g rugs provide comfort that won't overheat your horse when icy showers and winds are coming through every half hour.

You can add a cotton liner to help an unlined horse rug handle extreme rainfall without your horse getting hot - the cotton sheet keeps the cold layer of the rug's synthetic outer off the horse's body, allowing their natural body temperature to fill the space between their fur and the synthetic waterproof layer. This also helps the synthetic layer remain more waterproof in heavy downpours as it is being warmed from underneath by the horse.

Need more? Layer a fleece rug instead of cotton or grab a doona/quilted liner and pop it under when needed.

In praise of the 50g horse rug

Traditionally many horse owners have chosen a 100g rug or more by default but as we all understand more about the danger of overheating horses, more people are choosing a 50g rug. They offer reliable waterproofing, total wind chill protection - and are far less likely to make your horse too hot.

In Northland and Auckland this is all the warmth that many horses will need through winter, as much of the chill effect of bad weather in the northern areas of New Zealand is due to wind-chill rather than the rain (and we can rule out snow!).

In human terms, they are the equivalent of slipping on your favourite sweatshirt rather than going for a woolly jumper! Snug, but not sweaty. And you can add an underlayer in storms or if you clip your horse. 

Want a warmer horse rug but still want flexibility?

Want to keep your horse in a 50g, 100g, 220g or 300g rug, but worried they will get hot?

Rather than locking yourself into a combo rug situation, choose a standard neck, or detachable neck rug for day to day use. Your horse 'won't melt' in the rain if their neck is soaked, and their core temperature will remain stable as the bulk of their body will be dry and warm.

If you choose a detachable neck rug you can add extra versatility by also buying a 0g neck rug in the same style. You'll find you can use the 0g neck rug with the warmer rug, or leave it off completely, for most days and your horse will remain warm and dry. You can pop the warmer neck rug back on in storms.

Instant 'level-up' option for any rug

Regardless what weight rug you think suits your horse best, you can immediately 'upspec' the warmth level with a ComFiTec Liner Plus when the temperature drops, or if you clip your horse.

Ready to shop waterproof rugs? If you're still not sure or you want advice on weight, size and fit, you can read about finding the best horse rug here, or just call the HorseSports tack shop team on 09 269 6518 and we will be happy to help!