General information only. Every horse is different. For health concerns, always speak with your veterinarian, farrier or equine nutritionist.
01Does my horse need a rug?
Horses cope with cold far better than people do. A healthy horse with a full winter coat, shelter and plenty of forage generates a lot of its own warmth — digesting hay is like an internal heater.
What makes horses cold is usually wet and wind together, which flattens the coat and strips away its insulation. Clipped horses, older or lean horses, and horses that are unwell lose heat faster and are more likely to need help.
Over-rugging is commonA horse that is too warm under a heavy rug can sweat, then chill as the sweat cools. More isn't always better.
02Rug weights explained
| Rug | Fill | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Rain sheet | 0g | Keeping the coat dry and wind off on mild, wet days. |
| Lightweight | ~100g | Cool days, or clipped horses in mild weather. |
| Mediumweight | ~200g | Cold days, particularly for clipped horses. |
| Heavyweight | ~300g+ | Cold, wet conditions or fully clipped horses; sometimes with a liner. |
03Rug finder
Use this as a general starting point, then adjust to your own horse.
Tool · Rug finder
What rug today?
Pick the conditions and your horse's coat for a general starting point. Always check under the rug with your hand.
Overnight / daytime temperature Coat Weather Your horseSuggested starting point—
04The hand test
- Slide a flat hand under the rug behind the withers and behind the elbow.
- Warm and dry is just right. Damp or sweaty means too heavy. Cold means your horse may need more.
- Check again as the day warms up — Gippsland days can swing widely between a frosty morning and a sunny afternoon.
05Fit and daily care
- The rug should sit in front of the withers without pressing, and reach the top of the tail.
- Check the shoulders and chest for rubs; a shoulder guard can help.
- Adjust leg straps so they don't hang low enough to catch a hoof.
- Remove the rug regularly to check condition, skin and weight — a rug can hide weight loss.
- Repair tears promptly, keep a spare for when one is wet, and label every rug with your horse's name.
Full Care ownersDaily rugging and unrugging is included in the Full Care package. Tell us your preferences and supply clearly labelled rugs for each weight.