Horse Rugging Guide For Turnout Rugs

Horse turnout rugs can get confusing?! With turnout rugs boasting multiple features, what does your horse actually need? We’ve got horse rugs all explained, with features to look out for and what purpose they actually serve to your horse!

Finding a quality turnout rug, which suits your horse is one of the great struggles of every owner. Not only must our horse’s rugs keep them warm and dry, but they must withstand the wear and tear of field-play and be secure enough so horsey ‘Houdini’s’ don’t escape! But what rug features will cater to this?

The Outside…

The outside of a turnout rug is integral to prevent leakages and drafts. However, this is the place where most wear and tear will occur, with our horses seeming to favour a walk through prickly bushes or playing rough with their brand new rug!

For a strong and sturdy outer, and rip-prevention, look out for rugs made of ripstop canvas. Grid-woven with polyester, the material is reinforced to withstand any rough and tumble. Ripstop canvas is the most commonly used rip-resistant material used on turnout rugs, although ballistic nylon can work just as well. Ballistic nylon is mostly used for bullet proof vests, however it’s a nifty material for rugs which can go through just as much!

If it’s not ripstop canvas or ballistic nylon, then look out for a high denier rug often mark with a ‘D’. Over 600 denier often marks a rug strong enough for turnout’s challenges, as the higher the denier the stronger the fabric. However, this increased denier also comes with an increase to the  price-tag!

Remember…

Nylon rugs will need a proofing layer, so make sure it states this on the label or this process is carried out at your local horse laundry. Poromeric or Hydrophilic proofing layers are best as they not only protect your horse from wet weather, but allow moisture to evaporate away from underneath the rug.

The Inside…

The inside of a turnout rug is important to consider when thinking about comfort, warmth and coat condition. When deciding the lining and the fill of your rug, think about what you want from it. Do you want a shiny coat? Extra warmth? More security?

If you’re looking to enhance your horse’s shine, try a nylon lined rug. The silky nylon material will polish your horse’s coat and ensure dirt and hair do not build up on the lining. It also means less cleaning of the inside of your rug, plus your horse, so it’s a great time saver for avid competition goers.

However, if your horse is an expert at escaping from their rug or loves a good gallop, using a cotton lined rug may be more ideal. Cotton has higher friction against the horse’s coat, so it is more likely to stay in place. Therefore, when moving a high speeds, cotton-lined rugs won’t slip and slide as much, plus they will be much harder to pull off!

If your searching for an extra warm rug, don’t only conder the weight of the rug, consider what material it is insulated with. Whilst most rugs are filled with polyfill, materials such as Flectalon and Thinsulate are the gold-standard for thermal fills and are being used more and more in rug designs. Flectalon reflects the horse’s body heat back, whislt Thinsulate mimics fine down animals grow next to their skin for warmth. If you have a chilly horse, these materials are a must!

The weight of the rug filling will also give you a good idea of warmth value. A 100g turnout rug is your standard lightweight turnout. Medium-weight turnout rugs range between 150g and 200g, whereas heavyweight turnout rugs have 300g to 400g of filling. For extra warmth, try insulator rugs or a lightweight, stable rug underneath your standard turnout.

Fastenings and Extra Features…

With fastenings on each rug changing, it can be hard to know where to invest.

On the market, you will see some rugs will have two surcingles and some rugs with three. There is not a lot of difference in security, as long as they are fastened correctly.

With the traditional cross fastening of two surcingles, there is a reduced need for pressure on the spine to keep the rug in place. Meanwhile, three surcingles may make it a little harder for horse’s who like to slip their outdoor wear over their head.

For horses with wide shoulders, look out for rugs with standard buckle fastenings oppose to surcingle buckles. This will mean you can easily add chest expanders, and adjust the width accordingly.

Look out for surcingles that start as low down as possible so there is less stitching for moisture to possibly get through.

Looking for more flexibility in a rug? Try one with a detachable neck. This means you can keep the mud off and warmth in, but the separation allows for a full back extension rather than a restricted amount of extension often seen in tighter rugs. Therefore, your horse can reap the full benefits of turnout.

Shoulder gussets are also an essential for free of movement in the shoulder and to reduce possible rub marks.

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