Turnout Rugs Buying Guide
Oct 31,2022 | Mollory Yates
Turnout rugs keep our horses protected from the elements when out in the field. There are many factors to consider when buying a turnout rug, whether it be weight, neck type, feature this guide will help you to decide what rugs you need for your horse.
| What weight turnout rug does my horse need? | |
| What neck style does my horse need? | |
| What denier turnout rug does my horse need? | |
| What size rug does my horse need? | |
| Features of turnout rugs |
What weight turnout rug does my horse need?
The weight of your horse’s rug is probably the most important factor to consider. Do you need a zero fill, lightweight, mediumweight or heavyweight turnout rug? The weight of the rug refers to the filling that is inside it, a polyester filling that traps air much like a padded coat. Measured in grams per square metre (GSM), this ‘polyfill’ can vary from 0g to 450g for the coldest of days.
Shop Zero Fill Turnout Rugs or Lightweight Turnout Rugs
Shop Mediumweight Turnout Rugs or Heavyweight Turnout Rugs
Weight can also be added by adding a rug liner, these are separate rugs that attach to the inside of your horse’s turnout rug and add extra filling and warmth for cooler days. This can be more expensive but cheaper long term as liners can eliminate the need for owning a rug in every weight.
So, what rug does your horse need? It will depend on your horse. Breed, age, weight, clip and general health will all affect your horse’s ability to bear the cold. The living conditions will also make a different too, whether your horse has shelter out in the field, whether they live on a hill where it’s very windy or in an area that is very sheltered. Every horse is different, so with time, you will get to know your horse and how he copes depending on the weather.
Although it depends on the horse and the environment, this handy guide can help you decide where to start.
| Temperature | Turned Out Unclipped | Turned Out Clipped |
|---|---|---|
| 15 degrees or warmer | Nothing | Nothing |
| 10 to 15 degrees | Nothing | Nothing, Zero Fill or Lightweight if wet and windy |
| 5 to 10 degrees | Nothing, Zero Fill or Lightweight | Lightweight turnout rug |
| 0 to 4 degrees | Nothing or Lightweight or Medium Weight Turnout Rug | Mediumweight Turnout Rug with Neck Cover |
| -10 to 0 degrees | Medium Weight Turnout Rug with Neck Cover or Heavyweight Turnout Rug | Heavyweight Turnout Rug with Neck Cover plus Liner Rug |
| -10 degrees or colder | Heavyweight Turnout Rug plus Neck Cover | Heavyweight Turnout Rug with liner and/or under blanket and hood |
What neck style does my horse need?
When choosing a turnout rug for your horse, you will see lots of different neck options to choose from, these can include standard neck, high neck, detachable neck or combo necks.
Standard neck turnout rugs are a great choice for milder weather, hot horses or those that tend to loose their manes when wearing a rug with a neck. Horse’s can often loose their manes when wearing a neck rug and a standard neck turnout rug can help to prevent this. Often, standard neck rugs have clips, Velcro or D-rings that can be used to attach a neck cover, often available separately to your rug and they allow you the choice adding additional protection.
Shop Standard Neck Turnout Rugs
Combo neck turnout rugs provide all over protection and can provide less pressure on your horse’s withers than a detachable neck. Combo neck rugs are a popular choice as they provide excellent coverage, they are available in all weights.
Detachable neck rugs offer versatility, giving you the option of having a standard neck or full coverage. Perfect for seasons where the weather is so changeable!
Shop Detachable Neck Turnout Rugs
High neck turnout rugs are designed to relieve pressure on your horse's chest and wither. Providing additional protection, comfort and can prevent rubbing.
What denier turnout rug does my horse need?
Turnout rugs come in different deniers; this is the number of yarns used to make one thread. The more denier, the stronger the fabric that the rug is made from. When choosing the denier of rug there are a few things to think about. Your horse, does your horse tend to ruin rugs? Are they very playful? If so a stronger rug, 1200 or higher might be a better choice. You should also consider your budget, a 600d rug might be cheaper but it likely won't last as long, so could end up costing more money in the long run.
Shop 600D Turnout Rugs
Shop 1200D Turnout Rugs
Shop 2100D Turnout Rugs
What size rug does my horse need?
It’s often assumed that most of us know how to measure a horse for a rug but do you know how to do it so that you get a good fit as well. Our easy to follow guide will help you get the right size and fit:
- Decide where you want your rug to end. Some owners prefer the tail portion to be long enough to form a "tent" over the top of the horse's tail, especially for turnout rugs and for horses who live out most of the time. Other owners prefer to have the rug stop just short of the tail, especially stable rugs
- Stand your horse squarely on level ground
- Take a cloth tape measure and measure from the middle point of your horse’s chest, around the sides of his body to his hindquarters, roughly at the point where the “cheek” meets the tail
- Convert the measurement you obtain into feet and inches, eg 75” is 6’3”. This then is the size of rug that you need to buy for your horse.
| Measurement in inches | Measurement in centimetres | Standard UK Rug Size |
|---|---|---|
| 48” | 122 cms | 4’0” |
| 51” | 130 cms | 4’3” |
| 54” | 137 cms | 4’6” |
| 57” | 145 cms | 4’9” |
| 60” | 152 cms | 5’0” |
| 63” | 160 cms | 5’3” |
| 66” | 168 cms | 5’6” |
| 69” | 176 cms | 5’9” |
| 72” | 183 cms | 6’0” |
| 75” | 191 cms | 6’3” |
| 78” | 199 cms | 6’6” |
| 81” | 206 cms | 6’9” |
| 84” | 214 cms | 7’0” |
| 87” | 221 cms | 7’3” |
Features of turnout rugs
Turnout rugs have several different features for your horses’ comfort and safety.
Shoulder Gussets are a common feature in rugs, they help to prevent rubbing and allow freedom of movement through the shoulder.
Shop Turnout Rugs with Shoulder Gussets
Nylon Lining also helps to prevent rubbing, especially at the shoulders. It can also limit or help to prevent mane loss whilst helping to maintain a healthy and shiny coat.
Ripstop Material is where the material is interwoven which helps to minimise any tears in the rug, an excellent choice for rug wreckers.
Some turnout rugs feature reflective or hi viz detail, this can help make your horse more visible in the field or if needing to lead across roads.
Patterned turnout rugs will brighten up your horse’s wardrobe and ensure they stand out in the field. Packed full of excellent features with fun patterns from adorable animal prints to traditional Thelwell prints. From a range of brands including Gallop, Hy Equestrian, Weatherbeeta and Shires Equestrian.
There are a lot of different choices for your horse's turnout rugs and I hope this buying guide has helped you to decide what rug your horse needs. However, over time you will find out what brand, feature or size suits your horse best and you can start to build up your rug collection.
