Discover the best cooler rugs for horses in our buyer’s guide below. Whether you’ve been competing, or simply want a rug to help cool your horse after exercise, coolers and fleeces are a must-have for any horse owner.
Benefits of a cooler rug
Cooler rugs are available in a variety of weights which are better for use at different times of the year, which is why it’s worth having more than one. A heavier cooler is typically used in the winter, whereas a thin sheet or mesh type is for the summer. Overall, there are many benefits to a cooler rug, these include:
Sweat/moisture-wicking properties
The sweat/moisture-wicking properties of a cooler rug benefit a horse after sweating up or getting wet, which may be after strenuous exercise, travel, bathing or rain. The sweat/moisture-wicking material found in cooler rugs serves two purposes – to help quickly remove sweat/water from the horse’s skin, and the second is to quickly dry out to prevent a chill.
Warmth on colder days
Despite the name ‘cooler’, many rugs of this type can offer warmth too as they come in different weights, you may find these marked as fleeces or waffle type rugs. Waffle coolers are often the best choice for use during the winter as they offer versatility in terms of use as an underrug for additional warmth. Encouraging moisture wicking, while preventing the horse from becoming too cold due to its natural environment is typically the reason given for a heavier cooler.
Preventing your horse from getting a chill
No matter what the situation, the horse is likely to get a chill should it cool down too quickly, which can be caused by heat meeting cold/wet/damp conditions, while the horse’s body is overly warm. This may be following exercise, travel, excessive wettening from rain or bathing.
The combination of benefits available to the horse will depend on the rug type you choose.
Best Cooler Rugs
Rambo Techni-Waffle Cooler
New meets old with the Rambo Techni-Waffle Cooler. The waffle polyester fabric helps wick away sweat rapidly while keeping the horse snug. Standard features include surcingles, which gives the option to wear overnight, and/or underneath another rug.
Weatherbeeta Thermo-Air Cooler Standard Neck
An ultrasoft cooler rug from Weatherbeeta, ideal for cooler weather when wicking away sweat or water from the horse’s back. The has ultra-breathable side panels, with a traditional waffle upper and reinforced spine.
Bucas Power Cooler Rug
Top features of the Bucas Power Cooler Rug include a low friction outer to help prevent bedding from sticking to the material, with stay-dry fabric to wick away sweat away from the horse’s coat. Shoulder darts help aid comfort while the horse is moving around, with a front overlap over the buckles to prevent snagging on haynets etc.
Weatherbeeta Scrim Cooler Standard Neck Sheet
A lightweight cooler rug ideal for spring or summer, the Weatherbeeta Scrim Coller is fitted with a hidden surcingle to secure around the belly, fillet string and wither pad. The one buckle closure at the front helps to remove quickly. The rug is made using Scrim, a finely woven cotton fabric that helps keep the horse cool by allowing for wicking away of sweat and moisture from the horse’s coat.
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.