Turnout Rugs

Here at Houghton Country, we know the right turnout rug will give you peace of mind that your horse is comfortable during their time in the field. Many horses spend lots of time in their turnout rug, and so ensuring their turnout rug has appropriate fill to keep them warm enough, is the right size and is a good waterproof horse rug is very important. We stock a superb selection of horse turnout rugs, from heavyweight turnout rugs to lightweight rain sheets, all at competitive prices and ready for quick dispatch.

What weight turnout rug does my horse need?

The weight of rug in which your horse will be most comfortable depends on the temperature, whether your horse is clipped, their breed, the condition and age of your horse, their access to shelter, and simply whether or not they feel the cold. You will quickly get to know what weight of rug suits your horse in various temperatures. A mediumweight turnout rug describes a rug that is 150-250g thick, and is a very versatile rug that you are likely to use for much of the year. It is a good idea to have one as part of your horse’s rug collection as there are bound to be days where a mediumweight turnout rug is needed. If a horse is not clipped, it benefits from being able to self-insulate with its natural coat in the colder months, and so does not need a heavy rug to compensate for the natural coat. These horses may be warm enough in a lightweight turnout rug to keep them dry in wet weather. In contrast, horses that have had their winter coat clipped, or are in poor condition, will need a rug with more fill to compensate for their natural coat or fat covering, and may even feel most comfortable in a heavyweight turnout rug, which describes a rug with more than 300g of filling. Even if your horse or pony does not need insulation from a rug with fill, they will likely appreciate being dry. Remember, though, that horses do not feel the cold in the same way as humans, and have a thermoregulation system where they self-insulate by foraging and moving, so just because you are cold doesn’t mean your horse will be!

What kind of turnout rug does my horse need?

Like all types of horse rug, turnout rugs come in different designs to suit different horses’ needs and owners’ preferences. Turnout rugs with a neck or hood are popular as they cover more of the horse’s body when it is cold and muddy, keeping them warm and clean. However, the horse loses most of its heat through its quarters, with relatively little heat being lost through the neck. Turnout rugs without a neck are therefore still suitable for keeping the horse well-insulated in cooler temperatures, and these rugs are often chosen for horses that are prone to hair loss at their mane. Many turnout rugs now feature a detachable neck, giving you the option of adding or removing the neck. Turnout rugs with the neck attached are called combo turnout rugs by many manufacturers, and are suitable if you feel you will not need to remove the neck. Some modern designs of rugs, like some from Horseware, now have more than two surcingles that fasten underneath the horse’s belly, helping to keep the rug in place when the horse rolls. There are many different kinds of chest fastenings including buckles, clips and Velcro fastenings. 

Does my turnout rug need a neck?

Some horse owners prefer to leave the neck of the horse un-rugged to avoid the risk of the mane thinning. Horses lose little heat through their neck and so it is not as important to keep this part of their body insulated as it is their quarters, where the most heat is lost, or their back. Many horse owners do however prefer to cover the neck to keep it clean and dry, reducing grooming time, and protecting more of the horse when the temperature is colder or the rain is heavy. Combo horse rugs, where the neck is attached, and turnout rugs with detachable necks are available, as well as those that do not come with a neck. If you change your mind, some rugs come with the neck attachments so you can buy a neck/hood separately.

Can you put a turnout rug on a wet horse?

Some turnout rugs are designed to be put on a wet horse as their lining wicks away moisture, while others will not allow the moisture to evaporate and so the horse's skin will stay damp. When the skin is consistently damp, the horse can develop sores and rubs, referred to as rain scald, so it is important to ensure the horse is dry before putting on their turnout rug, unless your rug is one that is specifically designed to wick away moisture from the skin. You will find this information in the product descriptions of various rugs.

We stock a full range of lightweight, mediumweight and heavyweight turnout rugs for horses to ensure we have rugs for all seasons. We also stock rugs with liner systems which allow you to buy the waterproof outer at one weight then top-up the warmth rating with various liners which attach securely when the weather demands.

Our Horse Rugging Guide has everything you need to know about choosing the right turnout rug for your horse including information on how to measure your horse for a rug and how to fit a horse rug correctly.