Horse owners have a responsibility to keep their four-legged friends healthy and comfortable. Horses need appropriate care and protection from harsh weather conditions throughout the year. During cold and dry months, it can be challenging to keep them warm and dry without the right rugs or sheets.
Types of Rugs and Purpose
Horse protection for your horse is ultimate when using horse turnout rugs. Besides warmth, horse turnout rugs keep them safe from the elements and harmful insects. Here’s a list of the types of rugs and their purpose.
Lightweight Rugs
Lightweight rugs are waterproof to prevent water from penetrating to reach the horse. The top coating of lightweight rugs is made from a special fabric that keeps off water or wetness. Its seams are welded to protect the horse from external moisture.
They’re made of synthetic fibers that allow maximum breathing and, subsequently, tear resistance, like polyester. These rugs can be with or without filling, and to maintain the waterproof properties, re-impregnating them is necessary. Lightweight horse rugs are ideal for outdoor use, and they protect horses from rain, keeping them warm.
Heavyweight Rugs
Like lightweight rugs, heavyweight rugs should also be waterproof and breathable to protect horses from wind and rain. Depending on the horse’s activity, heavyweight rugs should be able to keep the horse warm. You should maintain the rugs properly to ensure they function maximally and last long. Heavyweight rugs are used outdoors. They protect horses from rain and keep them warm.
3 in 1 Combo Rugs
Combo rugs are ideal for all situations. You can use the unlined turnout rug as a base and, when need be, combine it with liner rugs on the dressage saddle. They can also be used independently in stables. A combined system responds to different needs appropriately.
Stable Rugs
Stable rugs are used in stables and are available in different fillings to provide individual needs for horses. They’re smooth on the outside to prevent the bedding from sticking to the rug. For horses that spend more time in the stable, movement is limited. Hence, they don’t need tear-resistant qualities like those of turnout rugs.
In the stables, horses roll around more. Thus, you should pay more attention to rugs with fastening options like straps, cross surcingle, and tail straps for the best possible hold. Stable rugs can also double up as travel rugs during winter.
Fly Horse Rugs
Flies are rampant during summer, and the most effective way to shield your horse from them is by using fly horse rugs. Besides using fly horse rugs, you can use fly repellents to keep the flies away. One way to make fly repellents effective is by covering the horse with a fly sheet made of breathable yet closely meshed net material. Insects can’t get through the mesh, yet air circulates sufficiently in the Weatherbeeta fly sheet. They’re used during summer outdoors.
Sweet Itch Rugs
A well-fitting rug provides better protection outdoors, making it easy to get through summer for highly sensitive horses. An ideal sweet itch rug has a belly flap, generous tail flap, and a neck section. The rug should be made from breathable fabrics that are breathable. You can combine it with a sweet itch mask to allow free movement in the paddock. Most sweet itch rugs skirt the horse’s body, preventing the sweet itch from penetrating.
Wrapping Up
Horse owners make a great investment in turnout rugs. They protect the horse and provide comfort indoors and outdoors. Getting a well-fitting rug for your horse ensures excellent service for the rider and the wellbeing of the horse.